About Protection Blessed Virgin Mary [Ukrainian] · Revloc, Pennsylvania
Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Ukrainian Greek Catholic (Byzantine rite) parish serving Revloc and the greater Ebensburg area in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Established in 1926 by Ukrainian immigrants, it is a small, diverse faith community in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church and belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio. The parish worships in the ancient Byzantine tradition using the Divine Liturgy, with all services celebrated in English. Today the church is pastored by Rev. Fr. Andriy Kelt and is assisted by two permanent deacons, serving a multigenerational, multi-ethnic congregation of faithful.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- The Most Holy Mother of God (under the title of Her Holy Protection / Pokrov)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Andriy Kelt
- Diocese
- Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat (Parma, Ohio)
Why belong here
Protection of the BVM is a small Byzantine Catholic parish where members describe themselves as family in Christ, helping one another through both good and difficult times. Worship is celebrated in English using the ancient Byzantine Rite and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (and St. Basil the Great during Great Lent), so newcomers can experience a deep, mystical liturgical tradition while still understanding every word. Visitors are warmly welcomed to receive Holy Communion (Catholic visitors in the Eastern manner, by spoon) and to share in fellowship in the parish hall after Sunday Divine Liturgy. Eastern Christian Formation (catechism) is offered for school-age children using God With Us publications, and the parish is fully in communion with the Roman Catholic Church — so Roman Catholics are always invited to participate in the sacraments there.
Mass times at Protection Blessed Virgin Mary [Ukrainian]
Weekly Mass schedule
About the Parish
Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Byzantine (Ukrainian Greek) Catholic parish serving Revloc and the broader Ebensburg area in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1926 by Ukrainian immigrants, the parish has grown into a small, multigenerational and ethnically diverse community that worships in the Byzantine Rite and is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. The parish belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat (Parma, Ohio) and is under the care of Bishop Bohdan Danylo. All liturgical services are celebrated in English.
- Eparchy: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat (Parma, OH)
- Bishop: Most Rev. Bohdan Danylo
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Andriy Kelt
- Rite: Byzantine (used by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
- Service language: English
Parish History
The parish's story began in 1925 when Father Pyli visited local Ukrainian faithful at their homes to gather for worship. In 1926 the Monroe Coal Company donated to the faithful a wooden building that had previously served a Roman Catholic congregation, and Father Woloshchuk was assigned as the first resident pastor. As the original wooden structure aged, Father Sirko held a groundbreaking for a new church but was transferred before construction could begin; a new Holy Table and tabernacle were installed in the 1950s and new pews in 1960. The decisive moment came in 1972 under Father Ulicky, when the current brick church was built and blessed by Bishop Basil (Losten) in April 1974. The parish marked its 85th anniversary in 2011, hosted the 76th Annual League of Ukrainian Catholics of America Convention in 2014, and celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2016 — the same year Father Andriy Kelt was ordained and installed as pastor.
- 1925 — Father Pyli visits faithful at home
- 1926 — Monroe Coal Company donates the building; Father Woloshchuk becomes first pastor
- 1950s — New Holy Table and tabernacle installed
- 1960 — New pews added
- 1972 — Father Ulicky builds the current brick church
- 1974 — Bishop Basil (Losten) blesses the new brick structure
- 2011 — 85th Anniversary
- 2014 — Hosts 76th Annual League of Ukrainian Catholics of America Convention (with Johnstown)
- 2016 — 90th Anniversary; Fr. Andriy Kelt ordained and installed as pastor
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Fr. Andriy Kelt and served by two permanent deacons with deep Eastern Christian formation.
- Rev. Fr. Andriy Kelt, Pastor — born in Verhnya Bilka (Ukraine); attended Catholic high school in Lviv; studied at St. Basil College Seminary (Stamford, CT), earning a B.A. in 2006; earned a Master of Divinity from Catholic University of America / St. Josaphat's Seminary (Washington, DC) in 2010; ordained a deacon by Bishop John Bura in Fall 2012; ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Bohdan Danylo on June 26, 2016; pastor of Protection of the BVM (Revloc) and Immaculate Conception (Northern Cambria) since September 2016.
- Fr. Deacon Anthony Dragani, Ph.D. — professor of Religious Studies at Mount Aloysius College (Cresson, PA); doctorate in theology from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh); specializes in Eastern Christian theology.
- Fr. Deacon Christopher Bellock — life-long member of Protection of the BVM; B.S. in Elementary Education and M.Ed. in Literacy from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; religious studies from Holy Apostles Institute.
Eastern Catholicism
The parish is part of the worldwide Ukrainian Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). The Ukrainian Catholic Church traces its faith through Constantinople and Ukraine back to Christ and the Apostles, and has been marked by the witness of martyrs under Communist persecution. Because of this full communion, Roman Catholics are always welcome to receive the sacraments at Protection of the BVM.
- One of the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome
- Faith historically rooted in Constantinople and Ukraine
- Roman Catholics may receive the sacraments here
- Parish commemorates Ukrainian Catholic martyrs on its website
Worship Schedule & Services
The parish's regular weekly worship centers on the Divine Liturgy, the Eastern Christian Eucharistic celebration, celebrated on Sunday mornings and on Tuesday evenings. All services are in English.
- Sunday — 11:00 AM, Divine Liturgy
- Tuesday — 6:30 PM, Divine Liturgy
- Byzantine Rite, services in English
- Live-streamed on the parish YouTube channel
- Parish calendar available via Google Calendar, iCal, and Outlook
Liturgical Services Throughout the Year
In addition to the regular Divine Liturgy, the parish uses several ancient prayer services, especially during Great Lent (the Great Fast).
- Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom — primary Sunday/weekday liturgy
- Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great — used during Great Lent
- Presanctified Liturgy — ancient service during the Great Fast
- Obidnitsyia (Typika) — service for days when the full Liturgy is not celebrated during Lent
- Moleben — prayer service of praise to Christ or the Theotokos, used year-round
- Holy Week and Easter services (annual)
- Lenten Mission (annual)
Eastern Christian Formation (Catechism)
The parish provides Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) — catechism classes — for school-age children, using materials from God With Us publications, the standard catechetical resources of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in North America.
- Eastern Christian Formation for school-age children
- Curriculum: God With Us publications
Parish Life & Fellowship
Visitors and parishioners are invited to share fellowship in the church hall following Sunday worship. The parish publishes a regular bulletin and operates a live-streamed liturgy on YouTube, making its Byzantine worship accessible to those unable to attend in person. The parish has also hosted the Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Fatima, a devotion associated with the Marian apparitions at Fátima, Portugal.
- Sunday fellowship in the church hall after Divine Liturgy
- Regular printed bulletins
- Live-streamed Divine Liturgy on YouTube
- Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Fatima hosted at the parish
Visiting & Becoming a Member
The parish warmly welcomes visitors and newcomers. Communion is received in the Eastern manner — by spoon, mouth open and head tilted back. To become a member, speak with Fr. Andriy following the Divine Liturgy.
- Visitors always welcome
- All Catholics invited to receive communion (Eastern manner)
- Orthodox Christians with permission of their bishop also welcome to Holy Eucharist
- Membership: speak with Fr. Andriy after the Divine Liturgy
- Blue 'Divine Liturgy: An Anthology for Worship' book provided for congregational participation
Contact & Location
Parish correspondence and visits are welcomed by mail, phone, email, or in person. The church is located on Cambria Avenue in the small community of Revloc, just outside Ebensburg in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
- Address: 560 Cambria Avenue, PO Box 194, Revloc, PA 15948
- Phone: 814-948-9193
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://protectionofthebvm.org
- Facebook: Protection of the BVM
- YouTube live stream: parish channel
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Pyli1925
Visited the faithful at their homes to gather for worship, preceding formal parish establishment.
- Father Woloshchuk1926
Assigned as the parish's first pastor when the Monroe Coal Company donated the original church building.
- Father Sirko
Held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new church but was transferred before construction could begin.
- Father Ulicky1972
Built the current brick church that remains in use today.
- Rev. Fr. Andriy KeltSeptember 2016 – present
Ordained to the priesthood June 26, 2016 by Bishop Bohdan Danylo; became pastor of Protection of the BVM in Revloc and Immaculate Conception in Northern Cambria.