About Our Lady of Perpetual Help · Virginia Beach, Virginia
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a Byzantine Catholic (Ruthenian) parish in Virginia Beach, Virginia, established in 1989 as the first Eastern Rite Catholic parish in the Hampton Roads area. The parish serves Byzantine Catholics across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, and falls under the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey, currently led by Bishop Kurt Burnette. Worship is celebrated in the Byzantine-Ruthenian tradition in both English and Old Church Slavonic, with Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings and a midweek Moleben followed by Bible study. The parish community meets at 216 South Parliament Drive in a church building that was originally constructed in 1913 and later transformed for Byzantine Catholic worship.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Byzantine-Ruthenian icon of the Theotokos)
- Rector
- Rev. Alex Shuter
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic (Ruthenian) — under Bishop Kurt Burnette
Why belong here
Our Lady of Perpetual Help offers the rare gift of Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic worship in the Hampton Roads region — the only Eastern Rite Catholic parish between Williamsburg and the Outer Banks, making it a spiritual home for Byzantine Catholics across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The community gathers around a single Sunday Divine Liturgy plus a Wednesday evening Moleben and Bible study, which keeps it close and family-like; adult parishioners take turns leading an intergenerational faith-formation program that meets once a month after liturgy. The parish also radiates hospitality outward through its annual Eastern European Food Festival and regular food and monetary collections supporting the social ministry of larger Roman Catholic parishes in the area.
Mass times at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- The Holy Mystery of Reconciliation is celebrated by appointment with Father Alex.
History of the Parish
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic Church was canonically established on October 1, 1989 by Most Reverend Michael Dudick, D.D., as the first Eastern Rite Catholic parish in the Hampton Roads area, serving Byzantine Catholics across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. From its first Divine Liturgy in the Eucharistic Chapel of St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church, through worship at St. Francis Episcopal Church, to its purchase of an 1913 Amish Mennonite-built sanctuary on November 12, 1990, the parish has always been characterized by adaptability and lay initiative. Founding parishioners transformed a plain building into a fully Byzantine interior; subsequent pastors deepened the spirituality, expanded the iconography, rebuilt the church after a major flood, and replaced major mechanical systems — a story of continuous renewal by a small but devoted community.
- Founded October 1, 1989 by Bishop Michael Dudick, D.D.
- First Byzantine / Eastern Rite parish in Hampton Roads
- Church building originally built in 1913 (Amish Mennonite)
- Eparchy of Passaic purchased building November 12, 1990
- First Divine Liturgy in own building November 21, 1990
- Formal dedication by Bishop Dudick on November 16, 1991
Pastoral Succession
Six pastors have shepherded the parish since 1989. Fr. Edward Cimbala laid the foundations, Fr. Glenn Davidovich and a brief tenure by Fr. Richard Kanar continued the growth, Fr. Ronald Hatton shaped Byzantine spirituality over an 11-year pastorate, Fr. Michael Krulak led recovery from the Great Flood, and Fr. Alex Shuter — the current pastor since 2009 — has overseen the modern era of capital improvements and intergenerational formation.
- Rev. Edward Cimbala — founding pastor (1989)
- Rev. Glenn Davidovich — second pastor
- Rev. Richard Kanar — brief interim during Fr. Glenn's sick leave
- Rev. Ronald Hatton — fourth pastor, 11-year pastorate
- Rev. Michael Krulak — assigned March 2006, oversaw Great Flood repairs
- Rev. Alex Shuter — pastor since 2009
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Alex Shuter (Pastor) with Reader and Pastoral Associate Joseph Bernard — the same Joseph Bernard who was tonsured and ordained to the offices of Candlebearer, Cantor and Lector on July 21, 2001 during Fr. Ron Hatton's pastorate.
Worship and the Divine Liturgy
Our Lady of Perpetual Help celebrates the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (and St. Basil the Great on designated days) in the Byzantine-Ruthenian tradition, in both English and Old Church Slavonic. Sunday Divine Liturgy is at 8:00 AM and is preceded by the praying of the Third Hour about 20 minutes beforehand. On major feasts additional liturgies are scheduled (e.g., Theophany at 6:00 PM on January 6).
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 8:00 AM
- Wednesday Moleben — 6:30 PM
- Bible Study follows Moleben at 7:00 PM (in person and on Zoom)
- Third Hour prayed before Sunday liturgy
Schedule of Services
The weekly rhythm centers on Sunday morning Divine Liturgy and a Wednesday evening of Moleben followed by Bible study. A complete current schedule is always posted in the parish bulletin and on the website; the most recent bulletins confirm the 8:00 AM Sunday liturgy and 6:30 PM Wednesday Moleben + 7:00 PM Bible Study pattern. Zoom participants join via Meeting ID 566 228 5003, Passcode U87ZmD. Facebook Live broadcasts continue for those unable to attend in person.
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
The Mystery of Reconciliation (Confession) is celebrated by appointment with Father Alex. Believers may also schedule a Divine Liturgy intention for thanksgivings — graduations, birthdays, anniversaries — or in remembrance of deceased family members. The parish's own history testifies to the celebration of minor orders through the tonsure and ordination of Joseph Bernard to Candlebearer, Cantor and Lector in 2001 and to vocations like Brother Damian (Alex Cayetano), who entered monastic life at Christ the King Benedictine Monastery in Nebraska.
- Confession by appointment with Father Alex
- Liturgy intentions scheduled through Father Alex or Reader Joe
- Minor orders: Candlebearer, Cantor and Lector
Faith Formation and Education
Under Father Alex's guidance the parish has begun an intergenerational faith-formation program that meets once a month after liturgy. The adults of the parish take turns acting as presenters for the various topics, ensuring that education is a shared ministry rather than the work of any one teacher. This is paired with the Wednesday evening Bible Study that follows Moleben at 7:00 PM (in person and online via Zoom).
- Monthly intergenerational education program (after Sunday liturgy)
- Wednesday Bible Study (in person and Zoom)
Music, Chant and Iconography
Liturgical music follows Byzantine chant tradition. The parish's first Cantor was Ronald Hatton, who later returned as pastor. The church's icon screen and altar bear original icons written by iconographer Mila Mina, commissioned during Fr. Glenn Davidovich's pastorate. The current Pastoral Associate, Joseph Bernard, was ordained to the Cantor role in 2001.
- Byzantine chant tradition
- Original icons by Mila Mina
- Ordained Cantor ministry
Parish Ministries and Community Life
The parish's lay vitality is one of its defining features. The Baking Committee and the annual Eastern European Food Festival (held the second Saturday of November, evolving from the original St. Nicholas Festival) are central community activities. The parish regularly collects food and money to contribute to the social ministry work at several large Roman Catholic parishes in the area, and has taken up special collections for Ukraine Relief.
- Baking Committee
- Eastern European Food Festival (2nd Saturday of November)
- Social ministry outreach to Roman Catholic parishes
- Ukraine Relief collections
Building and Facilities
The worship space — an 1913 Amish Mennonite-built structure — has been progressively transformed for Byzantine worship and formally dedicated by Bishop Michael Dudick on November 16, 1991. Major capital projects under Fr. Alex Shuter have included replacement of the heating and air-conditioning system and the dome that tops the building. Earlier renovations under Fr. Ron Hatton elevated the altar, built a proper ambon, replaced carpet with hardwood flooring, and turned a small kitchen into an office supporting the baking committee.
- 1913 building, dedicated November 16, 1991
- HVAC and dome replaced (current pastorate)
- Altar elevation, ambon, hardwood flooring (Hatton pastorate)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward Cimbala1989 – founding
Founding pastor; also served Ascension of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Started the baking committee and the St. Nicholas Festival.
- Rev. Glenn Davidovich
Second pastor; oversaw growth and the commissioning of new icons by Mila Mina for the icon screen and altar.
- Rev. Richard Kanar
Took leadership during Fr. Glenn's sick leave; tenure lasted only a few months before his own sick leave.
- Rev. Ronald Hatton11-year pastorate (ended ~2006)
Parish vocation and first Cantor, returned as fourth pastor; deepened Byzantine spirituality, expanded the Eastern European Food Festival, and led interior renovation including altar elevation and ambon construction.
- Rev. Michael KrulakMarch 2006 – 2009
Assigned March 2006; oversaw extensive repairs after 'The Great Flood' water-line break.
- Rev. Alex Shuter2009 – present
Replaced HVAC system and dome; launched intergenerational monthly education program; expanded Eastern European Food Festival and parish social ministry giving.