About Saint Mary Magdalene [Ruthenian] · Fairview Park, Ohio
St. Mary Magdalene Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish located in Fairview Park, Ohio, a western suburb of Cleveland. Founded in 1966 under the leadership of Father Michael Moran and Bishop Nicholas T. Elko, the parish is part of the Eparchy of Parma of the Ruthenians (within the broader Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church governed by the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh). Today the parish is served by Father Vasyl Kupar and Deacon Daniel Surniak, and it gathers worshippers each Sunday for the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in a distinctive Byzantine-style sanctuary filled with imported Italian marble, stained glass, and sacred icons. Known for its warm Coffee Social, Eastern Christian Formation classes for children, and the beloved annual European Festival, the parish serves as a spiritual and cultural home for Byzantine Catholics in the Cleveland area.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- Saint Mary Magdalene (Myrrh-Bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles)
- Rector
- Father Vasyl Kupar
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Parma of the Ruthenians (Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic); metropolitan see: Archeparchy of Pittsburgh of the Ruthenians
Why belong here
St. Mary Magdalene offers the fullness of Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic liturgical life in a close-knit western Cleveland community, with a single, family-friendly Sunday Divine Liturgy followed by a Coffee Social and Eastern Christian Formation classes for school-age children. Parishioners worship in a beautifully appointed Byzantine-style sanctuary filled with imported Italian marble, stained glass, and icons, while the parish also carries forward beloved traditions like the annual European Festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage of the Byzantine faithful with ethnic food, music, and dance. Pastoral care is accessible: Father Vasyl hears confessions an hour before Liturgy or by appointment, visits the sick and shut-ins, and is supported by Deacon Daniel Surniak.
Mass times at Saint Mary Magdalene [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:00 a.m. (one hour before Liturgy)
- Saturday: 3:00 p.m. (one hour before Vigil Liturgy)
- After the Divine Liturgy by request
- By appointment with Father Vasyl
Parish History
St. Mary Magdalene Byzantine Catholic Church was established on November 7, 1966, when Bishop Nicholas T. Elko designated Father Michael Moran as the first pastor. Within weeks, 250 faithful gathered at Parkview Elementary School for the very first Divine Liturgy. From those humble beginnings, the parish grew into one of the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic landmarks of Cleveland's western suburbs, with a permanent Byzantine-style church dedicated by Bishop Andrew Pataki in 1994.
- Founded November 7, 1966, by Bishop Nicholas T. Elko
- First Divine Liturgy celebrated November 27, 1966, at Parkview Elementary School
- Land and house purchased at 5390 W 220th St in 1967
- Parish center and temporary church opened in 1970
- Permanent church groundbreaking May 2, 1993; first Divine Liturgy Christmas Eve 1993
- Church dedicated by Bishop Andrew Pataki July 24, 1994
- Mosaic of St. Mary Magdalene (by Frank Marchione) installed 1987
- Mortgage burned Saint Thomas Sunday 2003
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently served by Father Vasyl Kupar and Deacon Daniel Surniak. Father Vasyl is available for confession an hour before each Liturgy (or by appointment) and visits the sick and shut-ins when requested.
- Father Vasyl Kupar — Pastor; mobile 216-446-9829
- Deacon Daniel Surniak — ordained from the parish in 2007
Liturgy and Service Times
Sunday Liturgy at St. Mary Magdalene begins with the Third Hour at 9:10 a.m., followed by the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Following Liturgy during the school year (September through May), the parish gathers for a Coffee Social while children attend Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) classes. A Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy is celebrated at 4:00 p.m., and Holy Day and Feast Day services round out the liturgical calendar.
- Sunday — 9:10 a.m. Third Hour, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
- Saturday Vigil — 4:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy
- Feast Day Vigils — 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy
- Feast Days — 9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. (check bulletin)
- Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (Lent) — Wednesdays and Fridays, 7:00 p.m.
Eastern Christian Formation (ECF)
Following the Sunday Divine Liturgy during the school year (September through May), St. Mary Magdalene offers Eastern Christian Formation classes for school-aged children. These classes supplement the Sunday liturgical experience and pass on the Byzantine Catholic faith to the parish's next generation.
- Held after Sunday Liturgy, September through May
- Open to school-aged children
- Coffee Social runs in parallel for parents and parishioners
Annual European Festival
Since 2010, St. Mary Magdalene has hosted its European Festival each fall — now in its 15th year — celebrating the cultural heritage of the Byzantine faithful and broader European traditions. The festival features ethnic food and drink, dance, music, craft vendors, and children's activities, and takes place in the Magdalene Event Center on the parish grounds. The 2026 festival is scheduled for September 26, 2026.
- First held in 2010
- 15th Annual European Festival in 2025
- Ethnic food, live music, dance performances, children's activities
- Craft vendors including Ukrainian Easter eggs (Pysanky)
- Held in the Magdalene Event Center on parish grounds
Sacred Art and Memorials
Over the years, the church interior has been enriched with sacred art and appointments that enhance its Byzantine liturgical character. Most notable is the 1987 mosaic of St. Mary Magdalene designed by artist Frank Marchione and crafted from imported Italian marble, ceramic, and tiles.
- 1987 mosaic of St. Mary Magdalene by Frank Marchione — Italian marble, ceramic, tiles
- Two triangular stained-glass windows
- Ten additional stained-glass windows
- New baptismal font
- Icon of St. Nicholas
- New chandelier and carillon
- Memorial on parish grounds honoring unborn children lost to abortion
Pastoral Care: The Sick and Shut-In
Parishioners who are homebound or in need of pastoral visitation are encouraged to contact the parish office so arrangements can be made for a visit from Father Vasyl Kupar or Deacon Daniel Surniak.
- Visits available upon request through the parish office
- Father Vasyl Kupar and Deacon Daniel Surniak lead this ministry
- Phone: 440-734-4644
Visit Us and Contact Information
St. Mary Magdalene is located at 5390 West 220th Street in Fairview Park, Ohio. Parishioners and visitors can reach the church office by phone or email, and Father Vasyl Kupar can be reached on his mobile line. The parish also maintains an active presence on Facebook.
- Address: 5390 West 220th Street, Fairview Park, OH 44126-2968
- Church office: 440-734-4644
- Catering hall: 440-734-8974
- Father Vasyl Kupar mobile: 216-446-9829
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/stmarymagdalenebyzantine
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Michael Moran1966–1968
First pastor; oversaw founding of the parish and first Divine Liturgy at Parkview Elementary School on November 27, 1966.
- Father Joseph J. Pohorlak1968–1975
Second pastor; commissioned Lesko Associates Architects for parish center, rectory, and church plans.
- Father Thomas Chelena1975–1979
Led the parish during its 10th anniversary.
- Father James Kubajak1979–1985
- Father Michael Hayduk1985–1987
- Father Edward Zavell1987–2003
Sixth pastor; oversaw new rectory construction (dedicated 1989), permanent church groundbreaking (1993), first Divine Liturgy in new church (Christmas Eve 1993), and church dedication (July 24, 1994); longest-serving pastor.
- Father John Kovach2003–2005
- Right Reverend Mitred Archpriest Dennis Hrubiak2005–2015
- Right Reverend Mitred Archpriest John Kachuba2015–2022
- Father Mykhaylo Shkyndya2022
- Father Bryan Eyman2022–2023
- Father Vasyl Kupar2024–present
Current pastor.