Celebrating a century of ministry

Editor | January 3, 2020

The Sisters of St. Basil of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province are planning a yearlong celebration to commemorate a Century of Ministry in the Byzantine Catholic Church in America.

Founded on Jan. 19, 1921, the years of the Province closely parallel the years of our Church and its people. Very Rev. Gabriel Martyak, Apostolic Administrator, invited Mother Macrina Melnychuk, who was Superior in Philadelphia at that time, to form a second branch of the Order to serve the people of Ruthenian descent. Mother Macrina and two other Sisters accepted this invitation to begin a new foundation for this purpose.

The initial help for the new foundation came from Father Joseph Hanulya, pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Father provided a 10-room house which became the first formal novitiate. As did the others who came to this new land, they immediately went to work. Initially, the small community began caring for orphan children; later including teaching and catechesis.

The Greek Catholic Union played a significant part in the lives of the Sisters and the Greek Catholic faithful. In order to care for the many orphans, the GCU built St. Nicholas Orphanage in Elmhurst, Pa. The Sisters responded to the call of the GCU to staff this institution. Continue reading →

Christmas says, “You are loved”

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service | January 3, 2020

Pope Francis celebrates Jesus’ birth in Dec. 24 homily. VATICAN CITY — Christmas night tells each person, no matter how poor or sinful, that they are utterly and totally loved by God, Pope Francis said as he celebrated Jesus’ birth. … Continue reading →

Getting into the habit of kindness

Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick | January 3, 2020

Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick posts videos of her reflections each week at the Facebook of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great. View them at: https://www.facebook.com/sistersofstbasil.uniontown/. This is a transcript of her July 13, 2019 reflection and is Part 4 … Continue reading →

What do you do with the mad that you feel?

David Mayernik Jr. | January 3, 2020

There’s a scene in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” in which writer Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) asks Joanne Rogers (Maryann Plunkett), the wife of Fred Rogers, if it’s difficult living with a saint. Joanne is taken aback by the … Continue reading →

St. Nicholas celebration

Editor | January 3, 2020

Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Greensburg, Pa. held its annual namesake St. Nicholas Day celebration with a Dec. 8 lunch in the church hall. Father Regis Dusecina is pastor. It started in church before the Liturgy, where a group … 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.

Worn marble steps of Holy Stairs to be uncovered for public to climb
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-15
At memorial Mass, CRS remembers four employees who died in plane crash
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-15
Update: After attacks, New Zealand bishops tell Muslims: 'We hold you in prayer'
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-15
Researcher: Difference between 'considering leaving' and 'leaving' church
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-14
Head of African youth network: Listen to young people on ecology
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-14
Update: Amid call for boycott of Lenten appeals, some see harm to poor, needy
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-14
South Carolina Catholic school given national award for 'full inclusion'
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-13
For Lent, Irish Catholics urged to abandon 'weapons of mass distraction'
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-13
Update: Judge sentences Cardinal Pell to six years in prison on abuse charges
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-13
CLINIC says South Sudan TPS extension should have included new arrivals
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-11
Encore: USCCB publishes revised translation of rite for blessing holy oils
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-11
Actress calls her deafness 'a gift'; remembers Catholic school as 'family'
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-11
Update: Four CRS staffers, humanitarian workers aboard Ethiopian jet that crashed
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-11
Benedictine abbot leads pope, curial officials in Lenten retreat
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-11
Pope meets top leaders of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-11
Group's immigrant solidarity project 'not about politics,' organizers say
Source: CNS Published on 2019-03-08

MIROVANIJE: THE ANOINTING WITH HOLY OIL: A Traditional Custom of the BYZANTINE RITE

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 →

	January 2020
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1 Circumcision of Our Lord Basil the Great - Archbishop Circumcision of Our Lord Basil the Great - Archbishop January 1, 2020 Solemn Holy Day Col 2:8-12; Heb 7:26-8:2 Lk 2:20-21 & 40-52; Lk 6:17-23 See more details •	2 Sylvester Pope Sylvester Pope January 2, 2020 Our Holy Father, Sylvester, Pope of Rome, under his Pontificate was held the first Ecumenical Council at Nicea A.D. 325, the decrees of which were approved by him. He died A.D. 325 during the reign of Constantine the Great, Emperor. See more details •	3 Malachy Prophet Malachy Prophet January 3, 2020 Heb 4:1-13 Lk 21:12-18 St. Malachy, Prophet. 400 B.C - St. Gordius, Martyr, who suffered death A.D 320, during the reign of Licinius, Emperor. See more details •	4 Synaxis of the 70 Apostles Synaxis of the 70 Apostles January 4, 2020 Heb 5:11 - 6:8 Lk 21:5-7.10-11.20-24 whose names St. Dorotheus recorded. - Our venerable father, Theoktistus, Hegumen-Abbot in Cucume of Sykeleia. See more details •
5 Sunday Before Theophany Circumcission of our Lord Basil the Great - Archbishop Sunday Before Theophany Circumcission of our Lord Basil the Great - Archbishop January 5, 2020 Feast and Circumcision of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus given to the child on this occasion means "Saviour". The Feast Of Saint Basil The Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, most famous of the Byzantine Church, and one of the four great Doctors: called also "Patriarch of the Eastern Monks," He died A.D 379 (Confer January 30). See more details •	6 Theophany of Our Lord Theophany of Our Lord January 6, 2020 Titus 2:11-14 & 3:4-7 Mt 3:13-17 See more details •	7 Synaxis of St. John Synaxis of St. John January 7, 2020 The glorious Prophet, Precursor and Baptist, who baptized Our Lord Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. See more details •	8 George, Dominica & Emilian Venerables George, Dominica & Emilian Venerables January 8, 2020 Heb 10:1-18; Mark 8:30-34 See more details •	9 Polyeuct Martyr Polyeuct Martyr January 9, 2020 St. Polyeuct, Martyr, suffered death A.D. 255, during the reign of Decius or Valerianus. - Eustratius, Venerable, endured death in the reign of Leo Iconomachus, Emperor. See more details •	10 Gregory of Nyssa Bishop Gregory of Nyssa Bishop January 10, 2020 Our Holy Father, Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, consecrated in A.D. 372, brother of Saint Basil the Great. Died A.D. 395. - Dometian, Venerable, Bishop of Melite, died A.D. 570, in the reign of Justinius the Younger. - Our venerable father, Marcian, Presbyter and Treasurer of the great Church of Holy Wisdom; died A.D. 489. See more details •	11 Saturday after Theophany Theodosius-Venerable Saturday after Theophany Theodosius-Venerable January 11, 2020 See more details •
12 Sunday after Theophany Sunday after Theophany January 12, 2020 Eph 4:7-13 Mt 4:12-17 See more details •	13 Hermolaus and Stratonicus - Martyrs Hermolaus and Stratonicus - Martyrs January 13, 2020 SS. Hermolaus and Stratonicus, Martyrs; Deacon of Singudunum (Belgrade) and his servant were tortured and drowned in the river Danube A.D. 315 under Licinius, Emperor. See more details •	14 Venerable Fathers of Sinai and Raitho Venerable Fathers of Sinai and Raitho January 14, 2020 Our Venerable Fathers of Sinai and Raitho, suffered martyrdom from the Saracens A.D. 296, during the reign of Dicoletian, Emperor. See more details •	15 Paul & John Venerables Paul & John Venerables January 15, 2020 Venerable Paul the simple, A Solitary of wonderful patience and meekness, he passed away about A.D. 339 in the reign of Constantine II, Emperor. Our venerable father, John, a disciple of St. Gregory Decapolites, died in the reign of Theophilus the Iconoclast A.D. 829-842. Venerable Cosmas, Bishop of Chalcedonia who died A.D. 816 during the reign of Leo the Armenian, Emperor. Our holy father, John, Archbishop of Antioch who went to his rest A.D. 436. See more details •	16 Venerations of the Chains of Peter Venerations of the Chains of Peter January 16, 2020 Veneration of the venerable Chains of St. Peter, the all Praiseworthy Apostle. The chains with which St. Peter was bound in the prison were preserved at the stational Church on the Esquiline in Rome and in the Middle ages attracted numerous Pilgrims. See more details •	17 Anthony the Great Venerable Anthony the Great Venerable January 17, 2020 Our venerable and divinely inspired father, Anthony the Great, was Egyptian by birth, who went into the desert during the reign of Constantine the Great in the year A.D. 312. Living to the age of 105 , he died A.D. 356. He was a friend of St. Paul the Hermit, and was one of the founders of the Cenobitical life. See more details •	18 Athanasius & Cyril Archbishops Athanasius & Cyril Archbishops January 18, 2020 Our holy fathers, Athanasius & Cyril, Archbishops of Alexandria. St. Athanasius is one of the four great doctors of the Byzantine Church: called the "Father of Orthodoxy." He opposed the Arians with Admirable zeal and endured exile for 46 years. He died in A.D 373. (Confer May 2). - St. Cyril opposed the Nestorians and taught that the divine and human natures in Christ are united in oneness of person, and that the Theotokos ought truly to be called the Mother of God. He presided over the 3rd Ecumenical Council at Ephisus A.D. 431. He died in A.D. 444. (Confer June 9). See more details •
19 32nd Sunday after Pentecost 32nd Sunday after Pentecost January 19, 2020 1 Tim 1:15-17 Lk 18:35-43 See more details •	20 Euthymius the Great Venerable Euthymius the Great Venerable January 20, 2020 Our Venerable and divinely inspired father, Euthymius the Great, Hegumen - Abbot, lived at the time of the reign of Arcadius and Honorius, Emperors: died in the year A.D 473. See more details •	21 Maximus the Confessor Venerable Maximus the Confessor Venerable January 21, 2020 Our Venerable father, Maximus, Confessor; died from totures A.D 662, in the reign of Constans II. His tongue torn out and right hand cut off, he died in prison. See more details •	22 St. Timothy & St. Anastasius St. Timothy & St. Anastasius January 22, 2020 Apostle, was the most famous disciple of St. Paul, during the reign of Emperor Nero, and the first Bishop Of Ephesus in Asia Minor. Venerable-martyr of Persia, suffered martyrdom A.D. 619, at the hands of Chosroas, during the reign of Heracleus, Emperor. See more details •	23 Clement of Ancyra Martyr Clement of Ancyra Martyr January 23, 2020 St. Clement, Priest-Martyr, Bishop of Ancyra, lived in exile for 28 years under several persecutors and died by the sword A.D 296. - St. Agathangel, Martyr, suffered death also in the reign of Maximian and Diocletian Emperors. See more details •	24 St. Xenia St. Xenia January 24, 2020 Our venerable mother, Xenia, was of a noble and famous Roman family. Her former name was Eusebia, and her parents planning her marriage, she escaped from her bridegroom and with two handmaids she fled to Alexandria for refuge. See more details •	25 Gregory the Theologian Bishop Gregory the Theologian Bishop January 25, 2020 Our holy father, Gregory the Theologian of Cappadocia in Asia Minor, Archbishop of Constantinople is one of the greatest writers and poets and one of the four great doctors of the Byzantine Church. He died in A.D. 389, in the reign of Theodosius the Great: he presided in Constantinople in the Church of Holy Wisdom for 12 years. He died at the age of 80. (Confer Januar 30). See more details •
26 33rd Sunday After Pentecost Sunday of Zacchaeus 33rd Sunday After Pentecost Sunday of Zacchaeus January 26, 2020 See more details •	27 Translation of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom Translation of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom January 27, 2020 This took place in A.D. 435, (Confer January 30 and November 13.) See more details •	28 Ephrem the Syrian Venerable Ephrem the Syrian Venerable January 28, 2020 Our Venerable Father, Ephrem, "Prophet of Syrians and an instrument of Holy Spirit," a great poet, orator, exegete and defensor of Orthodoxy. See more details •	29 Translation of the Relics of St. Ignatius Translation of the Relics of St. Ignatius January 29, 2020 The "God-Bearer", Priest-Martyr, Bishop of Antioch. He was devoured by lions at Rome. His disciples carried his relics to Antioch into his church in the year A.D. 109, in the reign of Trajan, the persecutor. (Confer December 20). See more details •	30 Three Holy Hierarchs Three Holy Hierarchs January 30, 2020 Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs, i.e., The Three Great Fathers of the church; namely St. Basil the Great,(See 1st of Jan) St. Gregory, the Theologian (See 25th of Jan) and St. John, the Chrysostom, (see 13th of Nov.) - Sy Hippolytus, Priest-Martyr. Bishop of Porto. He was put to death by drowning, under Alexander Severus, Emperor. See more details •	31 Cyrus and John Unmercenaries Cyrus and John Unmercenaries January 31, 2020 SS. Cyrus and John, Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries, i.e., Physicians without remuneration: (Confer June 28.) suffered death with Athanasia and her three daughters: Theodotia, Theopista and Eudokia, in the year A.D. 292 in the reign of Diocletian. See more details •