Saints Cyril and Methodius [Ruthenian]

About the Parish

Saints Cyril and Methodius is a Byzantine Catholic (Eastern Rite) parish located in the Spokane Valley of Washington state. The parish ministers to Byzantine Catholics of Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and Montana. As part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, the community follows the traditions of the Eastern Ruthenian-Byzantine Catholic Rite, worshiping according to the ancient liturgical practices of the Church of Constantinople while celebrating the heritage and customs of the Slavonic peoples of Eastern Europe. As Byzantine Catholics they are joined to the Universal Church as one of twenty-three sui iuris (autonomous) particular churches within the Holy See, in full communion with the Pope of Rome. Guests, Orthodox Christians, and Catholics from other Rites are warmly welcomed to participate in worship.

Who Were Saints Cyril and Methodius?

Saints Cyril (825–869) and Methodius (826–884) were brothers born in Thessalonica, Greece. Cyril was sent to study in Constantinople at an early age and was later ordained and held a position at the university. Methodius became governor of one of the Slav colonies in the Opsikion Province and then became a monk. In 861, Emperor Michael III sent both brothers, who had been living in a monastery, to Russia to convert the Khazars; they learned the Khazar language and converted many people. On their return in 863, they were sent to convert the Moravians, where their knowledge of Slavonic made them enormously successful.

• Invented the Glagolitic alphabet — the beginning of Slavonic literature — and translated liturgical books into Slavonic.
• Approved by Pope Adrian II, who received them warmly in Rome, approved the use of the Slavonic language in the liturgy, and ordained them bishops.
• Methodius became Archbishop of the newly independent Archdiocese of Moravia and Pannonia at Velehrad (in present-day Czech Republic).
• Imprisoned for two years in 870 by the German King Louis and the German bishops; released on the order of Pope John VIII.
• Pope John VIII eventually re-permitted the use of Slavonic in the liturgy after hearing Methodius's arguments in Rome in 878.
• Called the "Apostles of the Slavs."
• Universal Church feast day established as February 14 by Pope Leo XIII in 1880; in the Eastern tradition, St. Cyril is remembered on February 14, St. Methodius on April 6, and both together on May 11.

Parish History

Saints Cyril and Methodius was founded in 1979 by Father Joseph Stanichar, a Byzantine Catholic priest from New York who was serving as an Air Force chaplain in the Pacific Northwest. Father Stanichar went on to found Saint John Chrysostom in Seattle (1981) and Saint George in Olympia (1989), and opened a mission in Portland, Oregon, under the patronage of Saint Irene the Martyr in 1988. The Spokane parish is one of the founding communities of Byzantine Catholic life in the Pacific Northwest and celebrated its 40th anniversary around 2019.

• 1979 — Founded by Fr. Joseph Stanichar in Spokane, WA.
• 2014 — Incorporated as a Washington nonprofit corporation.
• 2019 — 40th anniversary celebrated.
• 2025 — Transition to temporary worship at St. Mary Catholic Church pending new permanent home.

Current Clergy

• Rev. Father Benjamin Crow — Pastor (began service August 1, 2025); always happy to answer questions and converse with guests and members of the community.
• Deacon Forrest Tucker — Ordained to the diaconate June 12, 2025; had previously served as senior altar server organizer.
• Deacon Tony Holt — Also serves the community; comes from North Dakota.

Divine Liturgy and Service Schedule

Because the parish is currently between physical homes, the Sunday schedule has been consolidated to 2:30 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church (304 S Adams Road, Spokane Valley). Pre-transition, the parish maintained a fuller weekly schedule including two Sunday Divine Liturgies, a Saturday Vigil, weekday Matins and Liturgy, and Wednesday Vespers. Confessions are heard before the evening and Vigil services.

• Sunday — 2:30 PM Divine Liturgy (current temporary location at St. Mary Catholic Church)
• Saturday — 5:00 PM Vigil Divine Liturgy (historical)
• Sunday — 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Divine Liturgies (historical)
• Tuesday — 8:00 AM Matins, 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy (historical)
• Thursday — 8:00 AM Matins, 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy (historical)
• Wednesday — 6:30 PM Vespers (historical)

Outreach Missions

Saints Cyril and Methodius ministers well beyond Spokane Valley, with two regular outreach missions that allow Byzantine Catholics across the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies to worship close to home. These missions are an essential part of parish life and a way the community extends its sacramental and pastoral reach.

• Tri-Cities, WA — Divine Liturgy on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 5:00 PM, St. Joseph Church, 506 S Garfield, Kennewick, WA.
• Montana — Divine Liturgy on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 6:00 PM, Christ Mission, 5475 Farm Lane, Lolo, MT.

Liturgical Tradition and Eastern Christian Faith

As a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish, Saints Cyril and Methodius worshipes according to the liturgical practices of the Church of Constantinople, celebrated through the heritage of the Slavonic peoples of Eastern Europe. The parish maintains a links/resources page directing visitors to deeper material on the Eastern Christian Faith. Live streaming of the Sunday Divine Liturgy is available through the host parish's video system while the parish is in transition.

• Byzantine liturgical tradition rooted in Constantinople
• Slavonic heritage of the Ruthenian rite
• Resources page on the parish website for further study
• Live stream of the Sunday Divine Liturgy via the host church's video system

Parish in Transition — Temporary Worship Location

Saints Cyril and Methodius is currently moving to a new home. While the new home is awaited, the Sunday Divine Liturgy is being celebrated at 2:30 PM at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 304 S Adams Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99216 — a notable example of inter-rite hospitality between a Ruthenian Byzantine community and a Latin-rite parish. The first Divine Liturgy at St. Mary's was held on May 24, 2025, and the parish asks prayers for the priest, staff, and parishioners of St. Mary's for the kind use of their facilities.

• Sunday Divine Liturgy: 2:30 PM
• Location: St. Mary Catholic Church, 304 S Adams Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99216
• Google Maps link posted on parish website
• Live stream available through St. Mary's video system; uploaded to YouTube on Sunday evenings when possible

Contact and Visit

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone at (509) 922-4527 or write to the mailing address. The parish's primary web presence is cyril-methodius.org, and it maintains an active Facebook page under the name "Saints Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, Spokane Washington."

• Phone: (509) 922-4527
• Address: 4315 N. Evergreen Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99216
• Mailing: P.O. Box 15314, Spokane Valley, WA 99215-5314
• Website: http://www.cyril-methodius.org/
• Facebook: Saints Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, Spokane Washington