www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Well, I'm moving to Pittsburgh!

It seems that the Lord has been kind enough to let a man like me graduate from one college and be accepted in to another. I'm scheduled to attend Duquesene University this spring, and intend to double major in Theology and Rhetoric. I'm looking forward to the challenge, and the chance to attend a church of my own Rite again. I've been attending a very nice Melkite church with a good priest, but it's just not "home".

Is there anyone here from Pittsburgh? I'm from Rochester, NY, and not really familiar with the city. I went down to visit the college and look at houses and very promptly got lost. Any advice for a stranger in a strange land? Also, I'm looking to buy a house. Anybody selling?

Find Deacon Paul Bobige(sp) on here. A great many people on here live in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh can truly be seen as one of the great American centers of Slavic Eastern Christianity, both Eastern Catholic and Orthodox. And the food is equally wonderful. Make the most of your time there!

Christ is in our midst!!

There is a beautiful Ruthenian Catholic parish in the Oakland section right on 5th avenue: Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic.

Bob

There are lots, including St. Michael's Carpatho Russian Orthodox in Rankin http://www.stmichaelsrankin.org/page18.html and St. John Chrysostom BCC in the old "Ruska Dolina" neighborhood. https://www.triposo.com/poi/St2e_John_Chrysostom_Byzantine_Catholic_Church_28Pittsburgh29

They are architectural gems.

Dear Friend in Christ,

If you want to make church administration a career, then the rhetoric will really come in handy for you! (Kidding!)

All the best to you.

Alex

Congratulations! My cousin will be attending Duquesene as well- he, my younger cousin, and their mother are Serbian Orthodox.

Very envious- I would love to move to Pittsburgh! Perhaps my favorite city in this land. Good luck with your studies!

No offense, but what is all this about Pittsburgh?

The first syllable of its name is already a non-starter, wouldn't you think?

But seriously, as someone who has never been there, what is it about the place that endears it so to you?

Alex

I am of northeastern blue collar Catholic stock, and Orthodox by spirituality and praxis, so Pittsburgh really meets at this juncture of my cultural and spiritual identity.

And, I love four seasons. Bam! Perfect city.

Living toward the other end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike I don't get to the "city of neighborhoods" all that frequently, but those times have left favorable impressions and good memories.

Perhaps it is the strong presence of Eastern Christians, but Pittsburgh has also emerged as a rare bastion of conservative liturgical Protestantism.

The Anglican Church of North America has its headquarters in Ambridge, just a couple of miles west along the Ohio river. That community is also the site of the ACNA's Seminary, Trinity School for Ministry. TSM is shared with the conservative North American Lutheran Church (NALC). NALC's presiding Bishop is originally from the greater Pittsburgh area.

Must be something in the air other than molten steel.

Sounds all good to me!

Thank you for sharing!

Alex

Dont forget Primanti Brothers...

Christ is in or midst!!

I've heard you miss the true experience of Pgh by missing this place.

Bob

TheDoors ~ Oh . . you'll really like Pittsburgh. I lived there for a time while growing up and still have family there. You might do well to rent first until you become familiar with the city and outlying areas before buying a home. There are a lot of great neighborhoods. I'm partial to those areas along the Parkway East, 'cause I'm from that part of town.

As well, you will find there is always something going on in and around the city, whether you're a sports fan or into the arts. A lot of good restaurants too. Yes to Primanti Bros! The Penn Brewery on the North Side is a place I like to go, too, that serves German food.

Besides all the beauty of our Church there is sports! You don't mess with Pittsburgh sports. When the town gets down and out, the love of the games keeps them excited

Actually, Pani Rose, I have to say that despite my intense dislike of all Pittsburgh teams, I have really grown to love the city during my acquaintance with it over the last five years or so. I go there every so often to visit old friends and it's a really lovely town. Unlike Chicago, for example, I didn't know it at all by reputation or report before I actually saw it. It's a beautiful town, with a very dramatic entrance if you approach it from the west.

Everyone talking about all this good food, I think I'm going to get fat! It sounds wonderful, I hope to find a good church community to keep me busy in what little free time school gives me.

Thanks for naming me as a reference, Pani Rose, but I live in a better place than Pittsburgh.....God's country about 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. We're the people that candidate Obama was talking about when he derisively put us down for our love of God and guns. How many other places have schools that count the first day of deer season as a vacation day?
TheDoors, I recommend that you put out a facebook notice on "Byzantine Catholics" or "Carpatho-Rusyns Everywhere." My grandson was looking for a place for a week while he was doing teacher observation in Pittsburgh and was offered a place within a day....and was charged nothing.

The people are what make Pittsburgh great. I'm from small-town western PA and was worried about what the city would be like.....until I got there. They are everyday common people who are friendly and kind.

Fr Deacon Paul

Most of PA has the 'Deer Day' tradition, including south western PA and much of NEPA. It was the Monday after Thanksgiving across the ridge line from me in PA. (I'm in NY...don't need a sign for the border, the road is better when you leave PA..lol)

Well, I made it down safe, have started classes and am finding my way around. Already found a great church less than fifteen miles from where I'm living. SO good being home!

Good to hear you are settling in and have found a good church as well!

Hope the pastor has a good singing voice and the cantor isn't a screecher.

Dear Pavloosh,

Exactly the words of my wife . . .

Alex

That, Pavloosh and Alex, is a point upon which both Ukrainians and Rusyns can agree!

So many posts about Pittsburgh sports! I'm not a fan of many, but I might catch a hockey game. My college is right next to the Consol Energy Center. Some times I get caught in a flood when games let out.

I've actually put in an offer on a house in New Kensington. It's close to the college and seems to be in a neighbourhood full of old people, which makes me happy. A nice yard and the interior is all full of metal fixtures.

I've been attending the Cathedral here. If you go, I'm the new guy with the long hair and the beard (and the big belly). I'm so looking forward to this next month, I think the roads are starting to clear and I can get the motorcycle on the road again!

I've seen that there are a few "Theology on Tap" meetings here in the city, does anyone here go to them?