About Saint Athanasius the Great [Ruthenian] · Indianapolis, Indiana
Saint Athanasius the Great Byzantine Catholic Church (saindy.com) is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic parish in Indianapolis, Indiana, canonically part of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, Ohio. The parish worships in the ancient Byzantine Rite — in full communion with the Pope of Rome — and calls itself 'the Light of the East for Central and Southern Indiana.' Since 1995 it has been housed in the former Roman Catholic Assumption Church on the near-west side of Indianapolis, just south of downtown, where it serves Byzantine Catholics living across central and southern Indiana with weekly Divine Liturgy in English, a monthly Ukrainian-language Liturgy, Byzantine Vespers and Matins, a food pantry for the surrounding Rhodius Park neighborhood, Knights of Columbus chapter, youth and adult religious education, and a monthly akathist prayer service for those struggling with alcoholism.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- Saint Athanasius the Great (bishop and Doctor of the Church, defender of the Nicene faith against Arianism)
- Rector
- Fr. Mykhaylo Shkyndya (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma (Ruthenian), in the territory of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
Saint Athanasius is a small but welcoming Byzantine Catholic community that celebrates the entire liturgical life of the Eastern Christian tradition — Divine Liturgy every Sunday, monthly Ukrainian Liturgy, Marian akathists, and Patristic preaching — right in the heart of Indianapolis. The parish is known for its food pantry serving the Rhodius Park neighborhood, a Byzantine Knights of Columbus chapter, formation classes for both children and adults, and a deeply personal pastoral ministry that has reached far beyond Indiana through Fr. Bryan Eyman's prayer service for those struggling with alcoholism. Members praise the shared coffee social in St. Mary's Hall after Liturgy as the heart of parish life, and the parish explicitly welcomes new faces, Orthodox and Catholic Christians, and anyone seeking the fullness of the Eastern Catholic tradition in communion with Rome.
Mass times at Saint Athanasius the Great [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays following the 7:00 PM Vespers (Evening Prayer) — see bulletin
- Anytime by appointment
- Contact Fr. Mykhaylo (mobile (216) 532-6364) to arrange confession or spiritual direction
Our Parish — Saint Athanasius the Great Byzantine Catholic Church
Saint Athanasius the Great Byzantine Catholic Church is an Eastern Church descended from the customs of Constantinople and a Catholic Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome. The parish calls itself 'the Light of the East for Central and Southern Indiana' and gathers in a historic former Roman Catholic church on the near-west side of Indianapolis. Mission goals published on the website include upgrading the church and rectory, expanding the social hall, and offering ethnic foods.
- Eastern Church descended from the traditions and customs of Constantinople
- In full communion with the Pope of Rome
- Territory covers Central and Southern Indiana
- Mission goals: upgrade church and rectory, expand social hall, offer ethnic foods
Our Patron — Saint Athanasius the Great
Saint Athanasius was a 4th-century Bishop of Alexandria and Doctor of the Church who famously fought the Arian heresy and defended Christ's divinity at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He is honored with the title 'the Great' and his best-known saying — 'God became man so that man could become god' — is quoted directly in the parish prayer.
- Bishop of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church
- Defender of the Nicene Creed against Arianism
- Endured multiple exiles for his defense of orthodoxy
- His saying, 'God became man so that man could become god,' anchors the parish's own prayer
Parish History — From a 1980 Mission to a Permanent Home in 1995
Founded in 1980 as a Byzantine mission meeting in borrowed Roman Catholic spaces, the parish cycled through six worship locations — Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Holy Angels, St. Vincent Hospital Chapel, and the Church of the Holy Spirit — before buying its first chapel on the east side in 1985 and moving into its present historic home on Blaine Avenue in 1995. The succession of pastors since 1980 reads almost as a chronicle of the Eparchy of Parma's care for the Indianapolis mission.
- 1980: First Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Patrick Hoffman at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
- 1985: First permanent chapel purchased on Indianapolis's east side
- 1988: First First Communion class
- 1995: Moved to the former Assumption Roman Catholic Church on the west side (1117 Blaine Avenue)
- Long succession of bi-ritual and Eastern Catholic priests caring for the mission
- Custody transferred from one Franciscan to another, then to the present leadership
Our Byzantine Worship — Traditions You Will Notice
All services at Saint Athanasius are sung entirely a cappella (no instruments), with active congregational participation. The Divine Liturgy uses English with parts in Old Church Slavonic, holy icons written in the ancient tradition rather than statues, and the distinctive Byzantine gestures of prayer — crossing from right to left, bowing on entering and leaving, and venerating the holy icons. Holy Communion is received under both kinds (leavened bread and wine) from a common chalice using a golden spoon.
- A cappella sung worship (no instruments)
- English with Old Church Slavonic (used liturgically)
- Holy icons rather than statues
- East-to-left sign of the cross
- Holy Communion from a common chalice by golden spoon
Service Schedule
The parish meets weekly for Vespers and the Mystery of Holy Repentance on Saturday evenings, and for Matins and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings, with an additional Ukrainian-language Divine Liturgy on the first Sunday of each month. The full weekly bulletin carries any seasonal or Feast Day changes to the schedule.
- Saturday — 5:00 PM: Vespers (Evening Prayer) & Mystery of Holy Repentance
- Sunday — 8:15 AM: Matins (Morning Prayer)
- Sunday — 10:00 AM: Divine Liturgy
- 1st Sunday of each month — 1:00 PM: Divine Liturgy in Ukrainian
- Daily and Feast Day Liturgies celebrated on the Feast Day itself (per bulletin)
- Office hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sacramental Life
Beyond the Divine Liturgy the parish offers the Mystery of Holy Repentance (Confession) on Saturday after Vespers or by appointment, the Mystery of Holy Anointing for the sick on their Feast Day, First Holy Communion preparation (the first class at the parish was in May 1988), marriage preparation, and pastoral counseling for parish members by appointment.
- Mystery of Holy Repentance (Confession)
- First Holy Communion program
- Mystery of Holy Anointing
- Marriage preparation
- Pastoral counseling (members, by appointment)
Faith Formation — Children, Adults, and Recovery
Saint Athanasius runs Sunday classes for children immediately after the Divine Liturgy and the brunch hour, plus adult education on church history, theology, and spiritual and physical wellness. The parish is widely recognized for a different kind of formation as well: a Byzantine akathist prayer service dedicated to the Mother of God under the title 'Inexhaustible Cup,' Healer of Alcoholics, held on (usually) the third Wednesday of each month and drawing attendees beyond the parish to pray by name for those struggling with addiction.
- Children's religion classes (Sundays after Divine Liturgy and brunch)
- Adult education covering church history, theology, and wellness
- Monthly akathist to the Theotokos, the 'Inexhaustible Cup,' for those struggling with alcoholism
- Feast of the icon (May 5) akathist — the largest gathering of the year
Knights of Columbus — Byzantine Chapter
The parish hosts a Byzantine chapter of the Knights of Columbus, which supports the parish's outreach — including fundraising efforts such as the parish's collection for Ukrainian refugees hand-delivered through the Eparchy and the Knights.
- Byzantine chapter of the Knights of Columbus
Charismatic Worship in the Byzantine Tradition
The parish also offers a charismatic prayer and worship service grounded in Byzantine teaching, called out specifically in the parish's list of ministries on its welcome page.
- Charismatic worship based on Byzantine teachings
Food Pantry and Outreach to the Rhodius Park Neighborhood
Saint Athanasius operates a parish food pantry that feeds neighbors in the Rhodius Park area on Indianapolis's near-west side. The ministry is listed prominently on the welcome page as one of the defining parish works of mercy.
- Parish food pantry serving the Rhodius Park neighborhood
Parish Bakery
A distinctive outreach of the parish is its bakery, which produces traditional Eastern European and Italian baked goods. The goods are available from the church hall (call 317-632-4157 in advance) and at the Carmel Farmer's Market, and the parish is seeking volunteers to help organize shipping the items across the country.
- Sale of Eastern European and Italian baked goods
- Weekly presence at the Carmel Farmer's Market
- Bakery shop open at the church hall behind the rectory
Parish Life and Fellowship
Fellowship is taken seriously at Saint Athanasius — every Sunday after the Divine Liturgy (and most other services) the parish gathers in St. Mary's Parish Hall for light refreshments and the Sunday brunch. The welcome page invites visitors to 'stop into St. Mary's Hall for fellowship' and reminds visitors that 'all are welcome!'
- Coffee social after Liturgy in St. Mary's Hall
- Seasonal celebrations and ministry gatherings
- Families, young adults, seniors, and seekers all part of the community
Clergy, Staff, and Cantors
The parish is served by an Administrator, Fr. Mykhaylo Shkyndya, available by phone or text at any time for confession or spiritual direction. Past pastoral leadership included Very Rev. Protopresbyter Bryan R. Eyman, D. Min., D. Phil., who continues to be associated with the parish for his akathist work and pastoral counsel. Past bulletins list Father Deacon John Russell, M. Div., as Pastoral Associate, and a Business Manager and three cantors supporting liturgical music.
- Fr. Mykhaylo Shkyndya — Administrator, mobile (216) 532-6364, [email protected]
- Very Rev. Protopresbyter Bryan R. Eyman, D. Min., D. Phil. — Protopresbyter, longtime pastor
- Father Deacon John Russell, M. Div. — Pastoral Associate
- John Danovich — Business Manager and Cantor
- Brian Goshorn — Cantor
- Suzanne Goshorn — Cantor (per Archdiocese listing)
- Marcus Loidolt — Cantor (per bulletin)
About the Building — A 100-Year-Old Sacred Home
Since 1995 the parish has worshipped in the former Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption on South Blaine Avenue — a building the parish proudly notes has 'a 100-year history.' The complex includes the church, an attached rectory, and St. Mary's Parish Hall. Long-range plans call for a new dome and a new iconostas to complete the conversion of the space to Byzantine use.
- Former Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption (on South Blaine Avenue since 1995)
- Rectory and St. Mary's Parish Hall share the campus
- Future plans include a new dome and a new iconostas
Visiting Saint Athanasius — What to Expect
Visitors — whether Orthodox, Catholic, or just curious — are warmly welcomed. The parish is wheelchair accessible, with parking available on site and on surrounding streets. The pastor's contact line and email are published, and Fr. Mykhaylo encourages people to call or text for confession or spiritual direction at any time of day that fits their schedule.
- All are welcome — Orthodox, Catholic, and seekers
- Wheelchair-accessible building
- On-site parking lot plus street parking on Blaine Avenue
- Office hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Parish phone: (317) 632-4157
Stay Connected — Bulletin, Facebook, and Flocknote
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin (e.g., 'The Byzantine Lantern'), maintains a Facebook group (referenced on the welcome page), and uses Flocknote for phone and email announcements. Visitors can subscribe through the parish website to keep up with the liturgical schedule, special events, and ministry news.
- Weekly bulletin — 'The Byzantine Lantern'
- Facebook group referenced on the website
- Flocknote email and text announcements via the parish website
Contact and Location
Saint Athanasius is located at 1117 Blaine Avenue on the near-west side of Indianapolis. The mailing address includes Indianapolis, IN 46221-1110 (Marion County). The parish can be reached at (317) 632-4157 or [email protected]; fax (317) 632-2988.
- Mailing: 1117 Blaine Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46221-1110
- Phone: (317) 632-4157 · Fax: (317) 632-2988
- Email: [email protected]
- Marion County, Indiana
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Patrick Hoffman1980
Celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in Indianapolis on St. Thomas Sunday, April 27, 1980, in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.
- Fr. Basil Hutsko1980 – August 1987
Cared for the mission from St. Barbara's in Dayton, Ohio; oversaw the move to Holy Spirit and the 1985 purchase of the first chapel on the east side; began weekly Saturday 5 PM Liturgies in May 1986.
- Fr. John TrompakAugust 1987 – August 1990
Continued weekly Saturday Liturgies; renovated the chapel and launched the religious education program that produced the first First Communion class in May 1988.
- Fr. Christopher BurkeSeptember 1990 – January 1991
Continued the Saturday Liturgy schedule while also pastoring St. Barbara's in Dayton.
- Fr. Edward WojciechowskiJanuary 1991 – July 1993
First resident pastor; moved Saturday evening Liturgies to Sunday morning at 10:00 AM and began regular weekday and Feast Day Liturgies; later transferred to St. John the Baptist in Minneapolis.
- Fr. Robert McElaney, O.S.B.July 1993 – October 1997
Benedictine bi-ritual monk from St. Maur Monastery in Indianapolis; arranged the purchase of the former Assumption Church and the 1995 move; died unexpectedly while pastor.
- Fr. John Kapitan, O.F.M.May 1998 –
Appointed Administrator by Bishop Basil Schott; oversaw major repairs, new kitchen in St. Mary's Hall, and parking lot paving.
- Fr. Sid SidorSeptember 2004 –
Assigned as Administrator by Bishop John of Parma.
- Very Rev. Protopresbyter Bryan R. Eyman, D. Min., D. Phil.August 2013 –
Pastor and Great Lakes Protopresbyterate for the Eparchy of Parma; celebrated for his 20+ year akathist ministry to those struggling with alcoholism.
- Fr. Mykhaylo Shkyndyacurrent
Current Administrator, per the parish contact page and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Eastern-Rite listing.