About Saint Anne [Ruthenian] · San Luis Obispo, California
Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish in San Luis Obispo, California, belonging to the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix. The community celebrated its first Divine Liturgy on June 22, 1986, beginning as a mission and being raised to parish status on January 17, 1989. It serves the Central California Coast with Divine Liturgy celebrated six days a week, weekly Confessions, youth catechesis, and educational classes on Byzantine traditions. Parishioners describe the liturgies as reverent, mostly in English, and entirely sung, with Holy Communion distributed by intinction (the host dipped in the chalice and given on a spoon).
- Established
- 1986
- Patron
- Saint Anne, Mother of Mary
- Rector
- Father Michael Bezruchka
- Diocese
- Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix (Ruthenian; formerly the Eparchy of Van Nuys until its transfer to Phoenix)
Why belong here
Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church offers Central Coast Catholics the fullness of the Catholic faith celebrated in the Byzantine Ruthenian tradition — fully in communion with Rome, sharing the same seven sacraments, but with different customs, vestments, chant, and a liturgical calendar traced back to Saints Cyril and Methodius. Worship is reverent, mostly in English and entirely sung, with Holy Communion given by intinction (the consecrated host dipped in the chalice and administered on a spoon). The parish community is small enough to feel like family while still offering Divine Liturgy six days a week, weekly Confessions, youth catechesis, and ongoing classes on Byzantine traditions. It welcomes Roman-rite Catholics and visitors who want to deepen their spiritual life with Eastern Catholic spirituality, fasting, and feast days.
Mass times at Saint Anne [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:45 AM – 9:30 AM
- Before Divine Liturgy during the week (times vary — check the parish website or current bulletin)
About Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church
Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish in San Luis Obispo, California, that celebrated its first Divine Liturgy on June 22, 1986. It belongs to the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix (formerly the Eparchy of Van Nuys) and currently operates under the leadership of its fourth pastor, Father Michael Bezruchka, and Deacon John F. Bradley, with Bishop John S. Pazak, C.Ss.R. as the eparchial bishop. The parish identifies as Eastern Catholic — same faith and seven sacraments as the Roman Catholic Church, but with the customs, chant, and calendar of the Byzantine rite.
- Established as a mission in 1986; raised to a parish on January 17, 1989
- Part of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix
- Located at 222 E. Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
- Welcomes Roman-rite Catholics and visitors seeking an Eastern Catholic spiritual home
History
Saint Anne's story begins in the mid-1980s, when Ruthenian Catholics who had worshiped at parishes in Van Nuys, Fontana, and Anaheim began moving to California's Central Coast. Bishop Thomas Dolinay, first Bishop of Van Nuys, sent his secretary Father Edmund M. Idranyi to explore the idea of a new mission; the gathering took place at the home of Edward and Sandra Stewart in Santa Maria, and Mrs. Cecilia Stewart urged the choice of San Luis Obispo for its central location. With permission from Bishop Thaddeus Shubsda of Monterey and the hospitality of Father James Nisbet at the Old Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on June 22, 1986, with about 25 faithful present. Three years later, on January 17, 1989, the mission was canonically raised to a parish under the patronage of Saint Anne — chosen because of Father Idranyi's longtime personal devotion to her.
From Mission to Permanent Home (1991)
By 1990 the Old Mission chapel was too small for the growing community. When the former Disciples of Christ Church at 222 East Foothill Boulevard came up for sale, Bishop George M. Kuzma, second Bishop of Van Nuys, gave permission to purchase the land and structure in 1991 for US$500,000. Concerned about Father Idranyi's exhausting weekly commute between Northridge and San Luis Obispo, Bishop Kuzma assigned him to be the administrator and resident priest of the new parish. The first Divine Liturgy in the building was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1991, and Bishop Kuzma blessed the church on January 6, 1992, the feast of Theophany, with the blessing of Jordan water.
Founding Pastor and Early Growth
Father Edmund M. Idranyi served as founding pastor for 23 years. Initially, liturgies were celebrated monthly in the Old Mission chapel, then bi-weekly beginning January 1987, and weekly with all major holy days from September 1987 onward. Bishop Dolinay visited the growing community twice, each time celebrating in the main church of the Old Mission. By the time the parish moved to its own building, Father Idranyi was firmly established as both administrator and resident priest of Saint Anne's.
2008 Remodel and Building Dedication
In 2008 the church was redesigned by architect David Tsow and completely remodeled by James V. Shepard & Co. of Paso Robles at a cost of $675,000. The remodel reoriented the sanctuary so that the Divine Liturgy could be celebrated ad orientem (facing East), installed a new iconostasis, built a pastor's office, and created a sound-proofed room reserved for the Mystery of Reconciliation — a feature the parish notes is 'most certainly the tradition at Saint Anne Parish.' The completed building has a capacity of 184 and a façade that faces north, in the California Mission style with a Byzantine influence.
Pastoral Succession
Four pastors have served Saint Anne's since its founding. Father Edmund M. Idranyi was followed by Father James Lane (appointed July 1, 2009), then Father Milan Kasperek as administrator (appointed August 1, 2013), and finally Father Michael Bezruchka, who was named the parish's fourth pastor on June 1, 2018, by Bishop John S. Pazak, C.Ss.R. The line of pastors is preserved on the parish's history page as a witness to Saint Anne's continuity.
Clergy and Leadership
The parish is currently shepherded by its fourth pastor, Father Michael Bezruchka, who has served since June 1, 2018, and assisted by Deacon John F. Bradley. The eparchial bishop is Most Reverend John S. Pazak, C.Ss.R. of the Eparchy of Phoenix. Father Edmund M. Idranyi remains Pastor Emeritus in recognition of his 23 years as founding pastor of Saint Anne's.
- Pastor: Father Michael Bezruchka (since 2018)
- Deacon: John F. Bradley
- Eparchial Bishop: Most Reverend John S. Pazak, C.Ss.R.
- Pastor Emeritus: Father Edmund M. Idranyi (founding pastor, 1986–2009)
Byzantine Catholic Identity and Our Faith
Saint Anne's is a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish — Eastern Catholics in full communion with Rome, sharing the same faith and seven sacraments but with distinctive customs, vestments, chant, iconography, and a liturgical calendar traced back through Saints Cyril and Methodius to Constantinople (once Byzantium). The parish's 'Our Faith' page explains that Byzantine Catholics have the same faith and seven sacraments as the Roman rite but different customs and ways of celebrating liturgy. Roman-rite Catholics are welcome to attend and, if registering as parishioners, are encouraged to learn about the Eastern Catholic fast days and feast days to embrace this spirituality more fully.
- Byzantine liturgy celebrated mostly in English and entirely sung
- Holy Communion by intinction — host dipped in chalice and given on a spoon
- Parishioners normally stand; there is no kneeling in the Byzantine tradition
- Byzantine (Julian-based) liturgical calendar with unique fast and feast days
Liturgical Schedule and Worship
Saint Anne's celebrates the Divine Liturgy six days a week, with weekly Confessions and other liturgical services and classes throughout the year. The regular Sunday Divine Liturgy is at 10:00 AM, and Great Vespers is prayed on Saturdays at 5:00 PM; Divine Liturgy is also celebrated Tuesday through Saturday at times that vary by week. Confessions are heard Sundays from 8:45 to 9:30 AM and before weekday Divine Liturgies. The parish invites visitors to check the current bulletin for the week's specific times.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM (English)
- Saturday Great Vespers: 5:00 PM
- Weekday Divine Liturgy: Tuesday–Saturday (times vary)
- Confessions: Sundays 8:45–9:30 AM and before weekday Liturgies
Faith Formation, Ministries, and Safe Environment
The parish offers ongoing religious education in the Byzantine tradition for children, youth, and adults. The parish website lists 'youth catechesis' and 'other liturgical services and classes' alongside the regular Divine Liturgy schedule. Saint Anne's also publishes a Safe Environment pledge to protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults — part of its compliance with diocesan safeguarding policies. As a small parish, Saint Anne's ministries reflect its family-sized community: catechesis, Byzantine-tradition classes, and a pastoral team available to support parishioners through every stage of life and the seven sacraments.
- Youth catechesis (Byzantine religious education)
- Educational classes on Byzantine Catholic traditions
- Safe Environment program (protecting children, youth, and vulnerable adults)
- Sacramental preparation in the Byzantine rite
The 2008 Church Building
The Saint Anne church building is a former Disciples of Christ property acquired in 1991 for US$500,000 and adapted for Byzantine worship, with a major remodel in 2008. The redesign by architect David Tsow (general contractor James V. Shepard & Co., Paso Robles) introduced the canonical 'ad orientem' orientation for the sanctuary, a new iconostasis separating the nave from the sanctuary, and dedicated spaces for the pastor's office and Confession. The completed church holds about 184 people and is described as California Mission style with a Byzantine influence, with the façade facing north.
- Original purchase 1991: US$500,000 (former Disciples of Christ building)
- 2008 remodel: $675,000, designed by architect David Tsow
- General contractor: James V. Shepard & Co., Paso Robles, CA
- Capacity: 184; façade faces north
- Features new iconostasis, pastor's office, and sound-proofed confessional
Contact, Location, and Visiting
Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church is located at 222 East Foothill Boulevard, San Luis Obispo, California 93405 — telephone (805) 543-8883, email [email protected], and online at stanneslo.org. The parish welcomes visitors and anyone looking for a spiritual home that 'feels like a family.' Those interested in becoming regular parishioners are encouraged to inquire about the unique Byzantine traditions, fast days, and feast days. The parish bulletin is published weekly with the current week's Liturgy and Confession schedule.
- Address: 222 E. Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
- Phone: (805) 543-8883
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stanneslo.org/
- Contact the parish office for directions, accessibility, and visiting details
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Edmund M. Idranyi1986–2009
Founding pastor; administrator and resident priest from 1991; retired June 30, 2009; named Pastor Emeritus by Bishop Gerald Dino in recognition of 23 years of service.
- Father James Lane2009–2013
Appointed by Bishop Gerald N. Dino effective July 1, 2009, following Father Idranyi's retirement.
- Father Milan Kasperek2013–2018
Appointed administrator of the parish on August 1, 2013.
- Father Michael Bezruchka2018–present
Named the parish's fourth pastor by Bishop John S. Pazak, C.Ss.R. effective June 1, 2018.