About Holy Ghost [Ruthenian] · McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Carpatho-Rusyn) Byzantine Catholic parish in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, founded on August 1, 1907 by immigrants from the Carpathian Mountains of Eastern Europe. It is part of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and operates a second worship site on the North Side of Pittsburgh. The parish is led by Very Reverend Frank A. Firko and is known for its landmark Pirohy Project, weekly radio broadcast of the Divine Liturgy on WEDO 810 AM, the Slavjane Folk Ensemble, and a richly iconographed sanctuary in the Byzantine tradition.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost)
- Rector
- Very Reverend Frank A. Firko
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Holy Ghost is a living link between Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants and their descendants in western Pennsylvania: a parish where the Byzantine liturgical tradition is celebrated in English (with its own Slavjane folk ensemble keeping Rusyn culture alive), where the Sunday Divine Liturgy is broadcast on radio and livestreamed for shut-ins near and far, where the famous Pirohy Project brings the community together around the parish kitchen, and where Eastern Christian Formation, the ByzanTEENS youth group, and the Golden Agers make room for every generation. It is rare to find a parish that couples 117 years of history with an active radio and online apostolate and deep Slavic-Catholic heritage.
Mass times at Holy Ghost [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 3:15–3:40 p.m. (McKees Rocks)
- Sundays, 8:15–8:40 a.m. (North Side Pittsburgh)
- Anytime by appointment
Our Parish — Identity & Mission
Holy Ghost is a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, serving both McKees Rocks and the North Side of Pittsburgh. The parish mission is 'to know and love the Lord, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit to the Glory of God the Father'; its vision is to be enlightened by the Word and Holy Mysteries of God so that it may perpetuate the Eastern Catholic Church through worship, prayer and service, providing education, stewardship and community outreach to all.
- Mission: To know and love the Lord, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit to the Glory of God the Father.
- Vision: Worship, Prayer, and Service, as a Parish Family, providing Education, Stewardship and Community Outreach.
- Rite: Byzantine (Ruthenian), in full communion with the Pope of Rome.
A Brief Parish History
Founded in 1907 by Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants who had left their homeland in the mountains of Eastern Europe, Holy Ghost is one of the Anchor Ruthenian parishes of western Pennsylvania. The community purchased eight lots on Olivia Street in McKees Rocks, built a rectory in 1908, and began construction of the present church in 1913. A parish school staffed by the Sisters of Christ the Teacher opened in 1958, and a new rectory was dedicated in 1961.
- 1907 — Parish established August 1; Divine Services held in an old dance hall on the property
- 1908 — Rectory completed
- 1913 — Building of the church begins
- 1958 — Parish school built (Sisters of Christ the Teacher); closed in late 1960s–70s
- 1961 — New rectory dedicated; old rectory becomes the convent
- 1982–83 — Complete renovation: iconostasis from Greece, wall icons, elevator; Radio Apostolate begins
- 2007 — 100th anniversary renovations: European chandeliers, new iconography, additional iconostasis tier
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Very Reverend Frank A. Firko as Pastor, Administrator and Protopresbyter, with the Reverend Father David A. Bosnich assisting at the North Side mission (also assigned to the Chancery). Two deacons serve: Deacon Michael E. Meaders (North Side) and Subdeacon/Deacon Luke R. Iyengar (McKees Rocks), who also coordinates the Eastern Christian Formation program.
- Fr. Frank A. Firko — Pastor, Administrator & Protopresbyter
- Fr. David A. Bosnich — Assistant Pastor (North Side)
- Deacon Michael E. Meaders (North Side)
- Deacon Luke R. Iyengar (McKees Rocks) — ECF Coordinator
- Steven Puluka — contact for ByzanTEENS youth ministry
Sacraments (Holy Mysteries)
All seven Holy Mysteries of the Byzantine Catholic Church are available. Parishioners are invited to call the rectory well in advance of weddings and the anointing of the sick, and to register with the parish office to receive the sacraments of initiation.
- Baptism, Chrismation & Eucharist (Mysteries of Initiation) — contact the church office
- Anointing of the Sick — especially before surgery or at any time of need
- Matrimony — contact the pastor at least one year in advance; Pre-Cana Classes required
- Reconciliation (Confession) — see Confession Times below
- Godparents (Sponsors of Christian Initiation) must be practicing Catholics
Eastern Christian Formation & Youth
Religious education at Holy Ghost follows the Byzantine-rite Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) curriculum rather than a Western-rite CCD model, coordinated by Deacon Luke R. Iyengar. Classes meet Sunday mornings between the two Divine Liturgies so that families can attend either service. The ByzanTEENS youth ministry is also active, with contact handled through the parish bulletin.
- Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) — Sundays 10:30–11:15 a.m. (Coordinator: Subdeacon Luke Iyengar, 412-863-3285)
- ByzanTEENS — Youth Ministry (contact Steven Puluka via the bulletin)
The Pirohy Project
Holy Ghost's signature fundraiser is the Pirohy Project: handmade pierogi (pirohi) sold on selected Fridays during Great Lent and Advent for both eat-in and take-out. Two varieties — potato with cheese and farmer's cheese — are served with butter and sautéed onions, and proceeds benefit parish projects. The project has been featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Potato-with-cheese pirohi: $8 / dozen
- Farmer's-cheese pirohi: $9 / dozen
- Pirohi Kitchen phone: (412) 331-5155 (orders taken Wednesday 9 a.m.–noon for the following Friday)
- Eat-in available until 1 p.m.
- Featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (March 2023, 'For this small McKees Rocks church, Lent means pinching pirohi')
Slavjane Folk Ensemble
The Slavjane Folk Ensemble, founded in 1959 by the late Jack Poloka and incorporated since 1973, is the parish's resident Carpatho-Rusyn dance company and rehearses at Holy Ghost. It is endorsed by the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh as the official representative of Carpatho-Rusyn culture in the United States and is financially supported by the Greek Catholic Union (GCU). Slavjane has performed throughout the Pittsburgh tri-state area and internationally, including at Disney's Epcot Center and at the annual Medzilaborce Festival of Sports and Culture in Slovakia.
- Founded 1959 by Jack Poloka (1938–2010); incorporated 1973
- Endorsed by the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
- Financial support from the Greek Catholic Union (GCU)
- Toured the Rusyn homeland (Prešov, Užhorod, Krynica/Medzilaborce) in 2005
- Has appeared at Disney's Epcot Center and the Medzilaborce Festival
Organizations & Community Life
Parish organizations include GCU Lodge 390 (the Greek Catholic Union branch, offering insurance and annuity benefits), the Holy Ghost Golden Agers (a senior fellowship), a Parish & Financial Advisory Council (PAC & FAC), and the Sunday Coffee Social that follows the Divine Liturgy.
- GCU Lodge 390 (insurance and annuity program; info — Randy, 412-973-1085)
- Holy Ghost Golden Agers (senior group)
- Parish & Financial Advisory Council (PAC & FAC)
- Sunday Coffee Social
Radio Apostolate & Live Streaming
For more than 30 years the Sunday 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy has been broadcast live from Holy Ghost on WEDO 810 AM, an ethno-cultural 'Station of the Nations' in White Oak, PA, whose 100-mile signal reaches western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. Fr. Frank Firko is the usual celebrant. Today the same liturgy is also streamed 24/7 on YouTube under 'Holy Ghost Church Live Stream,' and Carpatho-Rusyn radio airs the liturgy on Rusyn.fm Sunday afternoons.
- WEDO 810 AM — live Sundays 9:00 a.m. (wedo810.com)
- YouTube — search 'Holy Ghost Church Live Stream' (free registration for LIVE alerts)
- Rusyn.fm — Carpatho-Rusyn radio, Sundays 3:30 p.m. (archive: c-rsmedia.org)
- Initiated by Pentecost 1983, after the sanctuary renovation
The Church Building & Renovations
Although construction of the present McKees Rocks church began in 1913, the interior we see today is largely the product of two major campaigns: the 1982–83 Byzantine renovation and the 2007 100th-anniversary renovation. The icon screen (iconostasis) was imported from Greece piece by piece; icons were painted directly onto the walls; an elevator was added; and later, European crystal chandeliers, a tiered iconostasis, new iconography, refurbished pews and new flooring completed the sanctuary. Liturgical furnishings, music and the Slavjane presence give the space a uniquely Carpatho-Rusyn character.
- 1982–83: full Byzantine renovation, iconostasis from Greece, wall icons, elevator installed
- 2007 (100th anniversary): European crystal chandeliers, new iconography, additional iconostasis tier, refurbished pews, new flooring
- Social hall / school building and parking lot also improved
- Pre-existing parish school (built 1958) and convent (old rectory, 1961) — both now closed
Holy Days & Seasonal Notes
As a Ruthenian Byzantine parish, Holy Ghost follows the Byzantine liturgical calendar (with its own Meat-Fare, Cheese-Fare, Great Fast, Palm Sunday flowered entry, Pascha, Pentecost cycle, and Sundays of the Publican & Pharisee, Prodigal Son, etc.). The site publishes weekly bulletins naming the Sunday of the liturgical year and serves both McKees Rocks and North Side sites under Fr. Firko's pastorate.
- Lenten Hours of Prayer are published in the bulletin each Great Fast
- Byzantine-rite feast days (Pascha, Pentecost, Protection of the Theotokos, etc.) are observed
- Holy Day of Obligation schedules differ between McKees Rocks and North Side (see Liturgy Schedule)
Practical Information & Contact
Parishioners, visitors and those interested in joining the parish are warmly welcomed. New and returning parishioners are asked to register by phoning the church office.
- McKees Rocks address: 225 Olivia Street, McKees Rocks, PA 15136
- North Side address: 1437 Superior Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
- Rectory phone: (412) 771-3324
- Church Fax: (412) 331-1870
- Pirohi Kitchen: (412) 331-5155
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org
- New & returning parishioners: please register by phoning the Church Office
- Remember the Church in your will — see bulletin for details