On solemn Holydays, the faithful of the Byzantine Rite are anointed with holy oil and receive a piece of bread blessed for this sacramental on the vigil of the feast. This venerable custom among the Ruthenians is known as ” Mirovanije” or an anointing. It is a remnant of two distinct practices of ancient times, the all-night vigils held in the church and the lighting of the oil lamps in front of the icon of the Feast. In order to better understand this relatively simple ceremony of the anointing, an explanation of the all-night vigil with Litija and that of the lighting of the lamp of oil in front of the icon of the feast is necessary. Continue reading
Angels Build Bridges
The 15th annual Women’s Day of Reflection was held May 5 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa.
This year’s theme — “Angels Build Bridges” — was discussed through three presentationsd to help women grow in their spirutuality.
The event, sponsored by the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchial Office of Religious Education, also included a luncheon, vendors and a bountiful basket auction with proceeds donated to local women’s shelters.
The day’s speakers included: Samantha Scholl, 26, who works as a unit secretary and patient care technician in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UPMC Mercy Hospital. A member of TRIO (Transplant Recipients International organization), she has received two heart transplants and a kidney transplant.
Three local Penn State University women were part of an eight-member team of engineering students from the Penn State University Chapter of Bridges to Continue reading
The Place of the Presence of God
Archbishop Alexander Golitzin speaks at Seminary Lecture His Eminence Alexander [Golitzin], Archbishop of Dallas, the South, and the Bulgarian Diocese and a popular speaker and gifted teacher, was the keynote speaker at the 18th annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture … Continue reading
A six-year “blessing”
A Journey Ends At The Seminary In an amazing narrative of an accomplished wife, mother and career nurse, Helenanne Hochendoner told the Byzantine Catholic Serra Club about the most recent chapter or her life at their April 18 meeting. She … Continue reading
Class of ‘18
Degree Conferred May 17 to Joshua Van Winkle Following a Moleben prayer service in honor of SS. Cyril and Methodius, patrons of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary, Archbishop William Skurla conferred a diploma upon Joshua Van Winkle as a Magna Cum … Continue reading
Not-so-happy camper
I’ve never been the outdoors type. To me, “ r o u g h i n g it” equates to having to wait an extra 10 seconds for the On Demand selection to load on my television. The one time … Continue reading
WORLD NEWS (Catholic News Service)
Read the latest world news as reported by Catholic News Service. With headquarters in Washington, offices in New York and Rome, and correspondents around the world, CNS provides the most comprehensive coverage of the church today.
- Ex-Vatican diplomat found guilty of distributing child porn
- Trial begins for ex-Vatican diplomat accused of distributing child porn
- Update: As immigration woes rise, lawmakers can’t agree on solutions
- Church now facing its own #MeToo moment, says Australian archbishop
- Update: Pope: Individual bishops must decide about Communion in mixed marriages
- Forgiveness turns evil into good, pope tells Catholics in Geneva
- Update: Broken world needs Christian unity, pope tells Christian leaders at WCC
- Cardinal McCarrick’s 60 years of ministry in church had global impact
- Trump signs executive order stopping family separation policy
- Uptick in abuse claims likely after high-profile case brought to light
- New York Archdiocese posts timeline on cardinal’s ministry, abuse claim
- DiNardo: All clergy, no matter their ‘standing,’ must protect children
- Abuse allegation against Cardinal McCarrick found credible
- Pope supports U.S. bishops’ criticism of ‘immoral’ immigration policy
- Bishops ‘cannot, in good faith, endorse’ new GOP immigration bill
- Iraqi iconographer honors his Syriac roots
