About Byzantine Assoc. of Maine [Melkite] · Lewiston, Maine
The Byzantine Catholic Association of Maine is an Eastern Catholic outreach community serving Maine from Lewiston, in full communion with the Church of Rome and under the care of the Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Newton (Massachusetts). The community gathers on Saturday evenings for the Byzantine Divine Liturgy (the Mass of the Eastern Christian tradition), celebrated in the lower level of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Ash Street. The Saturday evening Liturgy is the anticipated Sunday liturgy and fulfills the Sunday Mass obligation for all Catholics. The Outreach is led by Fr. Basil (Robert) Parent, a Lewiston-native Melkite priest ordained in 1986 who also serves the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. The Association welcomes anyone drawn to the ancient Byzantine liturgical tradition — whether lifelong Eastern Catholics, Roman Catholics curious about their Eastern heritage, or newcomers seeking a church home.
- Rector
- Fr. Basil (Robert) Parent
- Diocese
- Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Newton (the Melkite eparchy's territory covers the entire United States; current Eparchial Bishop is François Beyrouti). Fr. Parent additionally works with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine.
Why belong here
The Byzantine Catholic Association of Maine offers something rare in northern New England: a chance to worship in the Byzantine Christian tradition, which shares the same Catholic faith and sacraments as the Roman rite but draws on ancient liturgical language, iconography, and chant. The Saturday-evening Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul fulfills the Sunday Mass obligation, so Roman Catholics can attend without compromise. Fr. Basil Parent's warm welcome, his connection to the Diocese of Portland, and the community's regular acts of solidarity (such as the 2022 Ukraine vigil) make this outreach a genuine spiritual home for Eastern Catholics, returning Catholics, and anyone curious about the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome.
Mass times at Byzantine Assoc. of Maine [Melkite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
About the Byzantine Catholic Association of Maine
The Byzantine Catholic Association of Maine is an Outreach of the Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Newton, Massachusetts. As an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Church of Rome, the community offers the Byzantine Divine Liturgy — the Eastern-rite Mass — to Catholics living in Maine, where no permanent Melkite parish has historically existed. The Association is shepherded by Fr. Basil (Robert) Parent, a Lewiston-born Melkite priest who also serves the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland in several pastoral roles.
- An Outreach of the Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Newton, MA
- In full communion with the Church of Rome
- Eastern Catholic (Byzantine) liturgical tradition
- Welcomes all Catholics and seekers
Worship & Schedule
The regular weekly gathering is the anticipated Sunday Divine Liturgy on Saturday evenings at 4:30 PM in the lower level of the Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 122 Ash Street, Lewiston. Because this is an anticipated Sunday Liturgy, it fulfills the Sunday Mass obligation for all Catholics. The schedule page on the parish website also lists the great feasts and special services of the Byzantine liturgical year, including Annunciation, the Sundays of Great Lent, the Akathistos Saturday, and the Paschal Liturgy of the Resurrection with blessing of Pascha baskets. Time changes and cancellations are posted on the community's Facebook page.
- Anticipated Sunday Divine Liturgy — Saturday 4:30 PM
- Confession — Saturday 4:00–4:15 PM
- Annunciation — Divine Liturgy at 5:30 PM (e.g., Wed 3/25/26)
- Paschal Liturgy of the Resurrection with blessing of Easter baskets
- Clean Monday — First day of Great Lent (strict fast)
- Akathistos Saturday — Akathist to the Theotokos before the Liturgy
Clergy & Staff
The Association is served by Fr. Basil (Robert) Parent, a Melkite Greek-Catholic priest born and raised in Lewiston and ordained in 1986 for the (then) Melkite Greek-Catholic Diocese of the United States. Over his ministry he has served Melkite communities in Central Falls, Rhode Island; Brooklyn, New York; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Danbury, Connecticut. In the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland he serves as administrator of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Sabattus and St. Francis Mission in Greene, and was appointed by Bishop Richard Malone as chaplain of the St. Gregory the Great Traditional Latin Mass Chaplaincy of south and central Maine. Greg Buczkowski serves as cantor, including leading Ukrainian Greek Catholic chant at solidarity liturgies.
- Fr. Basil (Robert) Parent — pastor; ordained 1986
- Greg Buczkowski — cantor
Byzantine Christian Tradition
The Association's website hosts an 'About the Byzantine Christian Tradition' page, which introduces the Byzantine form of Christian worship — the same faith and sacraments as the Roman rite, celebrated with ancient liturgical language, chant, iconography, incense, and gestures. Topics covered include the Five Cycles of the liturgical year, fasting seasons and days, services of the daily cycle, liturgical music and gestures, liturgical books, and the special seasons of Great Lent and Pascha. This educational resource makes the Outreach a place of formation as well as worship for newcomers exploring the Eastern Catholic tradition.
- The Five Cycles (liturgical year)
- Fasting seasons and days
- Services of the daily cycle
- Liturgical music, gestures, and books
- Great Lent and Pascha
Special Liturgies & Community Witness
Beyond the weekly Saturday Liturgy, the Association marks the great feasts of the Byzantine year and has been a public witness for Eastern Christians in central Maine. On Saturday, March 5, 2022, the Association announced that its Liturgy would be served in Ukrainian Greek Catholic chant in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, with most of the service in English. A follow-up vigil for Ukraine was held at Holy Cross Church on Lisbon Street, at which Fr. Parent led Ukrainian chants with cantor Greg Buczkowski, processed a copy of the Orans of Kyiv icon, and the assembly answered 'Slava Ukraina.' Donations collected at that liturgy were directed to a cause benefiting Ukraine, with the exact beneficiary announced on the parish website.
- March 2022 Divine Liturgy in Ukrainian Greek Catholic chant
- Vigil for Ukraine at Holy Cross Church, Lewiston
- Orans of Kyiv icon procession
- Charitable collections for Ukrainian relief
Visit & Directions
The Liturgy is celebrated in the lower level of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, located at the corner of Ash and Bartlett Streets in Lewiston (official Basilica address: 144 Ash Street; parish listing: 122 Ash Street). The parish website provides driving directions from the Maine Turnpike (Exits 80 and 75), Sabattus, Augusta, and Topsham. Anyone interested in attending can also contact Fr. Parent directly.
- 122 Ash Street, Lewiston, ME 04240 (lower level of the Basilica)
- From Maine Tpke Exit 80: Pleasant/Bartlett St, 2.2 miles to the Basilica on the left
- From Auburn Exit 75: Rt. 4 N to Rt. 202, across bridge, Sabattus St to Bartlett St
- Contact: 207-212-3218 / [email protected]
Resources & Links
The Association's links page connects visitors to the wider Melkite world, including the Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Newton (with its online magazine Sophia and a library of Melkite spiritual resources), as well as resources on the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and other Byzantine Christian traditions. The site is powered by Orthodox Web Solutions.
- Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Newton (official site)
- Sophia (Eparchial magazine)
- Hezek (online Melkite spiritual readings)
- Resources on the Ukrainian and other Byzantine traditions