About Dormition of the Mother of God [Ruthenian] · Clarence, Pennsylvania
Dormition of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church is a small Ruthenian (Byzantine) mission parish located in Clarence, Pennsylvania, in the central Pennsylvania coal region. Founded in 1906 by Greek Catholic immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire who came to work in the area's coal mines and brick factories, the parish is affectionately known by parishioners as 'St. Mary's.' It is one of three Central Pennsylvania Byzantine Catholic communities — together with St. John the Baptist in Hawk Run and St. Basil in State College — and is administered by a priest who resides at the Hawk Run parish. The parish belongs to the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, in full communion with the Pope of Rome.
- Established
- 1906
- Patron
- Dormition of the Mother of God (the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. William (Will) Rupp
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris of Pittsburgh); physically located within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown
Why belong here
Dormition is a small, historic Byzantine Catholic community where families have worshipped for more than a century. Members gather each Sunday for the 11:00 AM Divine Liturgy and share a brunch together on the first Sunday of each month — an easy way to meet fellow parishioners. Confessions are heard Wednesdays at 5:00 PM or by appointment, and the parish welcomes those wishing to arrange marriages with at least six months' advance notice.
Mass times at Dormition of the Mother of God [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays at 5:00 PM
- By appointment
Parish History
Founded in 1906 by Greek Catholic immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Dormition of the Mother of God was built by the families themselves without a resident pastor and authorized by the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Philadelphia. After two years of traveling sixty miles round-trip to attend St. John the Baptist in Hawk Run, the Clarence-area families organized their own parish and chose the patronage of the Dormition because their founding date fell near the great Marian feast (August 15 Gregorian / August 29 Julian). Since 1923 the parish has been administered from Hawk Run, and the community has worshipped together through coal strikes, World War II, decades of building renovations, and a joyful centennial in 2006 celebrated by Archbishop Basil M. Schott, OFM.
- 1906: parish organized and church built by immigrant families from Užhorod, Prešov, Budapest, Mukačevo, and Ukraine
- Founded without a resident pastor or mother parish
- Authorized by the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Philadelphia
- 1923: delegation to St. John the Baptist, Hawk Run; Father Zavalidroga becomes administrator
- 1950: name changed from 'Greek Catholic' to 'Byzantine Catholic' by decree of the Pittsburgh Exarchate bishop
- 1958: first visit by a bishop — Most Rev. Stephen Kocisko of Pittsburgh
- August 20, 2006: centennial celebration with hierarchical Divine Liturgy by Archbishop Basil M. Schott, OFM
Building and Renovations
The church has been remodeled many times since 1906, with major work in 1922, 1947, 1954, and 1958. The building is modest in size but holds the entire life of the parish: the worship space upstairs and a social hall in the basement, with no separate parish hall or rectory of its own.
- 1922: stucco replaced original sheet-metal siding; windows replaced
- 1947: partial basement excavated; coal furnace replaced the central coal stove
- 1954: exterior stucco replaced with a stone finish; entrance enlarged
- 1958: interior renovated; large icons installed front and sides; new pews; basement completed; oil furnace installed
- Building contains a social hall in the basement; parish has never had a separate hall or rectory
Clergy and Pastoral Team
Dormition is one of three Central Pennsylvania Byzantine Catholic communities served by a single pastoral team. The parish administrator resides at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Hawk Run.
- Priest/Administrator: Rev. William (Will) Rupp
- Deacon Dennis M. Prestash
- Deacon John A. Custaney
- Rectory mailing address: 24 Fulton Street, P.O. Box 2, Hawk Run, PA 16840-0002
Divine Liturgy and Services
The parish celebrates the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Divine Liturgy each Sunday, with an additional weekday Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during Great Lent. Confessions are heard before the midweek service and by appointment.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 11:00 AM
- Wednesday Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts: 6:00 PM
- Confessions: Wednesdays at 5:00 PM, or by appointment
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
As a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic mission, Dormition celebrates the seven Holy Mysteries in the Byzantine tradition. Practical arrangements for marriage are handled through the parish priest with significant advance notice.
- Confession: Wednesdays at 5:00 PM or by appointment
- Marriage: by advanced arrangement at least 6 months before the wedding date
- Other Mysteries (Baptism, Chrismation, Holy Communion, Holy Orders, Holy Unction) celebrated by arrangement with the pastor
Parish Activities and Fellowship
Although a small mission, Dormition has a strong tradition of community fellowship. A monthly brunch after the Sunday Divine Liturgy is a long-standing parish tradition.
- Brunch on the 1st Sunday of each month following Divine Liturgy
Community and Sister Parishes
Dormition is one of three Central Pennsylvania Byzantine Catholic communities. Together with St. John the Baptist in Hawk Run (founded 1904, the mother church) and St. Basil Community in State College, they share a pastoral team and a common liturgical life under the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
- St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Hawk Run (mother church, organized 1904)
- St. Basil Community, State College
- All three served by Fr. James Ragan / Fr. William Rupp and Deacons Jack Custaney and Dennis Prestash
Jurisdiction and Communion
Dormition is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic mission within the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, in full communion with the Pope of Rome. Although its faithful are Byzantine Catholics, the parish sits geographically within the territory of the Roman (Latin) Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown.
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
- Geographically within the Roman Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown
- Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris of Pittsburgh
- In full communion with the Holy Father
Visit, Contact and Getting Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed at the Sunday Divine Liturgy at 11:00 AM. The parish can be reached by phone or email, and the priest can be contacted through the Hawk Run rectory mailing address.
- Address: 104 Byzantine Lane, P.O. Box 304, Clarence, PA 16829-0304
- Phone: (814) 387-4161
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: https://www.byzcath.org/centralpa/aboutdormition.html
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Zavalidrogafrom 1923
Priest at St. John the Baptist, Hawk Run, who began serving Dormition after a 1923 delegation from Clarence; the administrator for Dormition has come from Hawk Run ever since.