About Saint George [Ruthenian] · Olympia, Washington
Saint George the Great Martyr Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Greek) Catholic parish in Olympia, Washington, belonging to the Eparchy of Holy Protection of Mary of Phoenix. The parish began over 25 years ago as a mission and today serves Byzantine Catholics of the South Sound, celebrating all of its liturgical services in English. It hosts the diocesan Marian shrine, Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, which draws an annual pilgrimage each August. The parish describes itself as 'Faithfully Eastern and Fully Catholic,' combining the Byzantine liturgical tradition with full communion with Rome.
- Patron
- Saint George the Great Martyr
- Rector
- Fr. Daniel Dozier
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Holy Protection of Mary of Phoenix (Ruthenian)
Why belong here
Saint George offers a rare Byzantine Catholic home in the South Puget Sound — fully Eastern in liturgy and devotion while in full communion with Rome — and sings all of its services in English. Parishioners can attend the full round of Byzantine prayer each Sunday: Mystery of Repentance at 8:30 a.m., the Byzantine Rosary at 9:00 a.m., Orthos at 9:15 a.m., and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m., plus weekday services. The parish also tends the diocesan Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Shrine, making it a destination for Eastern Catholics across the Pacific Northwest.
Mass times at Saint George [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:30–9:30 AM (Mystery of Repentance before Divine Liturgy)
About Saint George
Saint George the Great Martyr Byzantine Catholic Church is a parish of the Eparchy of Phoenix serving Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholics in the Olympia, Washington area. The parish describes itself as 'Faithfully Eastern and Fully Catholic,' carrying on the Greek-speaking Christian tradition of the apostles while in full communion with the Bishop of Rome.
History & Pastoral Succession
Saint George began over 25 years ago as a mission of the Eparchy of Phoenix and grew into a full parish named for Saint George the Great Martyr. Pastoral changes are recorded in diocesan bulletins: Rev. Vasyl Mutka served as pastor until July 31, 2019, when he was reassigned to Saint Irene in Portland, Oregon, and Rev. James Lane was appointed administrator the same day. The parish is now shepherded by Fr. Daniel Dozier, a Byzantine Catholic priest, seminary professor, and well-known Catholic author and speaker.
- Rev. Vasyl Mutka — pastor until 2019
- Rev. James Lane — Administrator effective July 31, 2019
- Fr. Daniel Dozier — current pastor
Liturgical Schedule
The parish's regular rhythm of prayer centers on Sunday morning, with the Byzantine Rosary, Orthos, and Divine Liturgy stacking back-to-back, and weekday services offered in the evening. A vigil Divine Liturgy is celebrated Saturday afternoon for the upcoming Sunday.
- Sunday 8:30 AM — Mystery of Repentance (Confession)
- Sunday 9:00 AM — Byzantine Rosary
- Sunday 9:15 AM — Orthos (Byzantine Matins)
- Sunday 10:00 AM — Divine Liturgy
- Wednesday 6:00 PM — Weekday Liturgy
- Saturday 9:00 AM — Morning Liturgy
- Saturday 4:00 PM — Vigil Divine Liturgy (for Sunday)
- Feast Day Liturgies: 6:00 PM the evening prior
Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Shrine
The parish grounds include the diocesan Marian shrine, Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, the destination of an annual pilgrimage held each August. The 26th Annual Pilgrimage is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, August 21–22, 2026.
- Location: at the parish in Olympia, WA
- Annual Pilgrimage each August
- 26th Annual Pilgrimage: August 21–22, 2026
Our Faith: Byzantine Catholicism
The parish explains that the Byzantine Catholic Church traces its foundation to the Twelve Apostles and the first Greek-speaking Christian communities of Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria. Over centuries the Eastern and Western (Latin/Roman) traditions of the one Catholic Church developed in parallel; the Byzantine tradition — shared by Saint George — remains fully Catholic and in union with Rome.
- Shares in the inheritance of the first Greek-speaking Christian communities
- Two major Catholic heritages: Eastern (Greek/Byzantine) and Western (Latin)
- Centered on Christ, the apostles, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Safe Environment
The parish maintains a Safe Environment program addressing the protection of children, youth, and vulnerable adults, in line with the U.S. bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or in person; current schedule details and announcements are posted in the online parish bulletin.
- Address: 9730 Yelm Highway Southeast, Olympia, WA 98513
- Phone: (360) 459-8373
- Website: saintgeorgeolympia.org
- Online bulletin: mybyzantineparish.updates.church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Vasyl Mutka
Served as pastor until relieved by the Eparchy of Phoenix effective July 31, 2019, then appointed Administrator of Saint Irene Byzantine Catholic Church in Portland, OR.
- Rev. James Laneeffective July 31, 2019
Appointed Administrator of Saint George Byzantine Catholic Church, Olympia, WA, in 2019.
- Fr. Daniel Dozier
Current pastor; Byzantine Catholic priest, Associate Professor of Sacred Scripture at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh and Academic Associate in Catholic Leadership at Franciscan University; author of '20 Answers on Eastern Catholicism'.