About Saint Nicholas of Myra · Orlando, Florida
Saint Nicholas of Myra is a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic parish in Orlando, Florida, canonically established in 1981 and serving Byzantine Catholics together with Eastern and Western Catholics of the Orlando region. It belongs to the Byzantine Catholic Metropolia of Pittsburgh sui iuris and is shepherded by Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey. The parish celebrates the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the Byzantine tradition, welcomes all to its services on Sand Lake Road near I-4, and is famous for housing a Shrine of St. Nicholas — a Russian icon of the Wonderworker more than 300 years old. Attendance at its Divine Liturgy fulfills the Sunday obligation for Catholics of any rite.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- Saint Nicholas of Myra (Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra, confessor of the faith at the Council of Nicaea)
- Rector
- Very Reverend Salvatore (Sal) Pignato
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, within the Byzantine Catholic (Ruthenian) Metropolia of Pittsburgh sui iuris — Bishop Kurt Burnette
Why belong here
St. Nicholas of Myra offers Orlando-area Catholics something rare in Central Florida: a fully Byzantine Catholic parish serving the Ruthenian faithful with the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the Shrine of St. Nicholas, Eucharistic Adoration on Sunday afternoons, and a tightly knit parish family organized around an Advisory Board, an Evangelization Committee, the Knights of Columbus (Holy Family Council 9236), and the Fourth Degree Assembly of Blessed Theodore G. Romzha. The parish also welcomes travelers from across the world who stop at its iconic Sand Lake Road church — and its pastor and community openly invite any Catholic, in any rite, to register and share in the church's mission to "Make Christ Known to Our Own and to the World."
Mass times at Saint Nicholas of Myra
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays — 7:45 AM to 8:15 AM (before the 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy)
- Weekdays — 7:30 AM to 7:45 AM (before the 8:00 AM Divine Liturgy)
- Saturdays — 3:45 PM to 4:15 PM (before the 4:30 PM Vigil Divine Liturgy)
- By appointment — available any time by contacting the parish office
Adoration times
- Sundays — 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
About St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church
Saint Nicholas of Myra is an Eastern Catholic parish of the Byzantine Rite in the Byzantine Catholic (Ruthenian) Metropolia of Pittsburgh sui iuris, under the pastoral care of Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey. Canonically established as a parish in 1981, it serves Byzantine Catholics and Catholics of every other Eastern and Western tradition in the greater Orlando area, with a particular outreach to visitors from across the nation and the world who come to Central Florida. Attendance at the Divine Liturgy here satisfies the Sunday obligation for all Catholics, regardless of their rite.
- Byzantine Catholic (Ruthenian) Rite parish
- Part of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolia of Pittsburgh sui iuris
- Within the Eparchy of Passaic, NJ — Bishop Kurt Burnette
- Canonically established 1981
Parish History
The community traces its origins to an exploratory Divine Liturgy on April 29, 1973, in Orlando. Over one hundred people attended, and by October 1973 regular weekly Liturgies were being served by Fr. Leo Schlosser, O.S.B. of St. Leo's Abbey. In 1977 Fr. Robert Slasinski was assigned as the first resident priest, and the community was named Transfiguration of Our Lord Mission; Fr. James Fiore became its first pastor in 1979. In November 1980, the parish purchased its present church on Sand Lake Road, and shortly thereafter was renamed St. Nicholas of Myra in honor of the patron of travelers and of the Byzantine Church. Fr. Sal Pignato was assigned as the second pastor in 1984, and in 1991 the mission was elevated to full parish status.
- April 29, 1973 — exploratory Liturgy, 100+ attendees
- October 1973 — regular weekly Divine Liturgies begin with Fr. Leo Schlosser, O.S.B.
- 1977 — Fr. Robert Slasinski, first resident priest (Transfiguration of Our Lord Mission)
- 1979 — Fr. James Fiore, first pastor
- November 1980 — Sand Lake Road church purchased
- 1984 — Fr. Salvatore Pignato assigned as second pastor
- 1991 — elevated from mission to full parish
Our Patron: St. Nicholas of Myra
The parish is named for Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, the 3rd-century Bishop of Myra, confessor of the faith, and defender of Christ's true nature against the Arian heresy at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. St. Nicholas was revered as a saint even before his death for his holiness and generosity during famines, and was named the universal patron of the Byzantine Catholic Church. Emperor Justinian fixed December 6th as the date of his feast. His relics were translated from Myra to Bari, Italy in the eleventh century, and his shrine still exudes a holy oil called myron or 'manna of St. Nicholas.' He is venerated as the patron of children and of travelers — fitting for a parish that welcomes guests from around the world visiting Orlando. The parish's own Shrine of St. Nicholas contains a Russian icon of the Wonderworker that is over three centuries old.
- Bishop and Confessor, 3rd century
- Defender of orthodoxy at the Council of Nicaea
- Universal patron of the Byzantine Catholic Church
- Patron of children and travelers
- Feast day: December 6
Clergy and Office Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by Very Reverend Salvatore (Sal) Pignato, the parish's second pastor, who has served continuously since 1984. The pastor leads the parish's liturgical life and serves on both the Advisory Board and the Evangelization Committee. Office staff supporting the parish operations include Mrs. Jackie Choma and Mr. Steve Choma.
- Pastor: Very Reverend Salvatore (Sal) Pignato (since 1984)
- Office Staff: Mrs. Jackie Choma, Mr. Steve Choma
Service Times
The parish celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy (Mass) on a regular weekly schedule, with additional services for Holy Days and the Great and Holy Week / Pascha cycle. Confessions are heard one-half hour before each Liturgy — anyone wishing to receive the Mystery of Repentance simply arrives early and asks the porter. Eucharistic Adoration is also offered weekly, and Vespers are celebrated most Saturday evenings. The full annual calendar is published on the parish website.
- Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy — 4:30 PM
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM
- Wednesday Divine Liturgy — 8:00 AM
- Holy Days — see bulletin
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Byzantine Catholic Church. The Mystery of Repentance (Confession) is offered one half-hour before every Liturgy or by appointment. Holy Baptism is normally celebrated within the Divine Liturgy on Holy Days or Sundays. Couples preparing for Holy Matrimony and those seeking Anointing of the Sick or other Mysteries are invited to contact the parish office.
- Mystery of Repentance (Confession) — before every Liturgy / by appointment
- Holy Baptism — during Liturgy on Holy Days or Sundays
- Holy Matrimony — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
Parish Councils and Committees
Parish life is shaped by an Advisory Board and an Evangelization Committee, both chaired and guided by the pastor. The Advisory Board meets the second Monday of each month at 7:30 PM and includes Fr. Sal Pignato (Pastor), Mr. Peter Lecher (President), Mr. Robert Lavezzo, and Mrs. John Olesh (Lay Representative). The Evangelization Committee meets the third Friday of each month and is composed of Fr. Sal Pignato, Mr. Christopher Hopkins (Chair), Mr. Michael Palvisak, Mr. Steven Palvisak, Mr. Robert Lavezzo, Mrs. Al Sumner, Mr. George Fencik, and Sylvia Olesh.
- Advisory Board — 2nd Monday, 7:30 PM
- Evangelization Committee — 3rd Friday
Organizations
The parish is home to two Knights of Columbus units. Holy Family Council 9236 meets every fourth Monday of the month at 7:30 PM, and the parish also hosts the Blessed Theodore G. Romzha Fourth Degree Assembly 2279. Both offer Catholic men opportunities for fraternity, faith, charity, and service to the parish and broader Central Florida community.
- Knights of Columbus — Holy Family Council 9236 (4th Monday, 7:30 PM)
- Blessed Theodore G. Romzha 4th Degree Assembly 2279
Mission Statement & Parish Identity
The parish was established to serve two groups: Byzantine Catholics living in the Orlando metropolitan area, and the huge international stream of visitors who arrive in Orlando every year. Out of that dual vocation the parish developed a living mission statement that has guided its life ever since: "Make Christ Known to Our Own and to the World." The parish welcomes all — Byzantine, Eastern, and Western; resident or traveler — to worship with the Eastern Christian tradition in full communion with the Pope and the Church of Rome.
- Mission Statement: "Make Christ Known to Our Own and to the World."
- 22 Eastern Catholic jurisdictions in full communion with the Pope
- Welcomes all Catholics regardless of rite
Visiting & Contact
St. Nicholas of Myra invites every visitor to worship, especially travelers coming through Orlando. The church is located at 5135 Sand Lake Road, RT 482, Orlando, FL 32819, one mile east of I-4. The building is wheelchair accessible, and a live video feed of services is available online. The parish office can be reached by phone at (407) 351-0133 or by email, and the parish is also active on Facebook.
- Address: 5135 Sand Lake Road, RT 482, Orlando, FL 32819
- Phone: (407) 351-0133
- Email: [email protected]
- Live video feed available
- Wheelchair accessible
- Facebook: facebook.com/St.Nicholas.BC
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Leo Schlosser, O.S.B.1973–1977
Celebrated weekly Liturgies from St. Leo's Abbey; not formally the parish pastor, but the priest who launched regular services.
- Fr. Robert Slasinski1977–1979
First resident priest; resided at St. Therese parish in St. Petersburg, served the Orlando Mission (Transfiguration of Our Lord Mission).
- Fr. James Fiore1979–1984
First pastor of Transfiguration of Our Lord Mission, until the parish was renamed St. Nicholas of Myra.
- Fr. Salvatore (Sal) Pignato1984–present
Second pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra; continued after the 1991 elevation from mission to full parish status.