Saint Mary Protection

Our Parish

The patroness of the Church is Mary, the Mother of God, under the title of her Holy Protection (Pokrov). As a living parish it provides all the services of the Church — the Divine Liturgy (the Eucharist) is regularly celebrated on Sunday mornings, with a Vigil Liturgy on Saturday evenings. Baptisms and marriages are celebrated by appointment, and Confessions are heard on Saturday before liturgy or upon request. All services are celebrated in English with a small amount of Church Slavonic retained for the sake of tradition.

Our History

Founded in 1887 by Sub-Carpathian Ruthenian (Carpatho-Rusyn) immigrants from the northeastern Austro-Hungarian Empire, the parish was the first Byzantine community in the Wyoming Valley led by Fr. Ivan Volansky, the first Ruthenian priest in America. Incorporated on May 16, 1892 as Saint Mary's Patronage (Pokrov) Greek Catholic Church, the community worshipped in a wood-frame church until the present red-brick church — cornerstone blessed July 4, 1911 — was built for $32,933.

• Founded 1887 by Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants under Fr. Ivan Volansky
• Incorporated May 16, 1892 by the Luzerne County Court
• Current red-brick church built 1911; cornerstone blessed July 4, 1911
• Mother church of four other Eastern parishes in the Wyoming Valley
• Cemetery chapel blessed and additional land consecrated Nov. 7, 1988
• Restored after the 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood

Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic Tradition

The Church of Saint Mary Pokrova belongs to the Byzantine-Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey. The Byzantine-Ruthenian Church sui iuris is self-governing and equal in dignity to the Roman Catholic Church; it is in communion with the Bishop of Rome while remaining unique in its clergy, laws, institutions, liturgies, forms of spirituality, and methods of theology. The parish is one of the oldest Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic churches in America.

Clergy & Leadership

The parish is served by its pastor, Rev. Fr. Mykhaylo Prodanets, assisted in the administration and direction of the Church by a twelve-member advisory council which meets monthly to discuss the activities and needs of the parish. Deacon Rich Terza is also noted in parish activities.

• Rev. Fr. Mykhaylo Prodanets — Pastor
• Deacon Rich Terza
• Twelve-member Parish Advisory Council

Those Who Served

Throughout its more than 135-year history, St. Mary's has been privileged to have been served by many dedicated priests and cantors. The parish maintains a complete published succession of clergy and cantors, including Fr. Emil Semetkovsky's long tenure (1921–1950), Most Rev. Nicholas T. Elko's blessing of the cemetery altar, and Most Rev. Michael J. Dudick's presence at the dedication of the cemetery chapel.

• Fr. Ivan Volansky (1887–1888) — founder and first Ruthenian priest in America
• Fr. Emil Semetkovsky (1921–1950) — pastor during a generation of consolidation
• Most Rev. Michael J. Dudick — present at the 1988 dedication of the cemetery chapel
• Current cantors: Mr. Brian Bankovich and Mrs. Jen Terza

Sacraments & Pastoral Care

As a living parish, St. Mary's celebrates all the regular sacraments. Baptisms and marriages are celebrated by appointment. Confessions are heard on Saturday before the liturgy or upon request. Sick and shut-ins are visited regularly with the Sacrament of Holy Unction and Holy Communion, and funeral services are offered as the full Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy.

• Baptisms — by appointment
• Marriages — by appointment
• Confessions — Saturday before liturgy or upon request
• Holy Unction & Communion — visits to sick and shut-ins
• Funerals — Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy

Parish Ministries & Societies

The active social life of the parish is rounded out by a School of Religious Education for all ages, cantors who lead the singing of the Divine Liturgy, a Byzantine Catholic Youth Group, the Rosary Society (known especially for its holubki dinners and affiliated with GCU Lodge 182), and the parish's beloved Pirohi Makers. Members are asked to contribute to the church through service, with tithing being a traditional portion of parish stewardship.

• School of Religious Education (all ages)
• Cantors / Music ministry
• Byzantine Catholic Youth Group
• Rosary Society (GCU Lodge 182)
• Pirohi Makers
• Parish Family

Music & Liturgy

The cantors, led by Mr. Brian Bankovich and Mrs. Jen Terza, enhance every worship service; music ministry is an important part of the life of the church and a hallmark of Byzantine liturgical celebration.

Buildings, Bells & Cemetery

The 1887 wood-frame church was later brick-veneered and now serves as the parish hall; the 1911 red-brick church remains the active worship space. Three bells — Mary (moved from the original church), Paul, and Peter — purchased from the McShane Bell & Foundry Co. of Baltimore for $1,450, still call the faithful to worship. The parish also maintains a cemetery with chapel in Edwardsville, blessed on November 7, 1988.

• Original 1887 wood-frame structure (now parish hall)
• 1911 red-brick church — cornerstone July 4, 1911
• Bells: Mary, Paul, and Peter (McShane Bell & Foundry Co., Baltimore)
• Parish cemetery with chapel in Edwardsville, PA

2025 Water Damage Repair Project

Following earlier major floor and carpet repairs completed in 2020, water-leak damage was discovered in the choir-loft area and the bell tower / roof parapets at the front of the church. Because the choir loft is no longer in use for safety reasons, the damage became significant before being noticed. The parish has launched a 2025 capital campaign to repair the roof, brickwork, and interior, accepting pledge cards and checks made out to "St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church" with "2025 Water Damage Repair Project" in the memo.

• Damage in choir-loft area and front of church under bell tower and roof parapets
• Earlier repairs: church floor and carpeting in 2020
• Pledges accepted; mailing address: 321 Chestnut Avenue, Kingston, PA 18704

Contact & Visit

Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at 321 Chestnut Avenue, Kingston, PA 18704, by phone at (570) 287-0282, or via email at [email protected]. The parish website at saintmarypokrova.com publishes schedule updates, and the official Facebook page (facebook.com/StMaryPokrova) carries expanded Holy Week, Christmas, and Pascha schedules.

• Address: 321 Chestnut Avenue, Kingston, PA 18704
• Phone: (570) 287-0282
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: saintmarypokrova.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/StMaryPokrova