Saints Cyril and Methodius [Ukrainian]

About Ss. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church

Ss. Cyril and Methodius is an Eastern Catholic parish of the Ukrainian (Byzantine) rite serving the faithful of Berwick, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding Susquehanna Valley. The parish belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and is in full communion with the Holy See. It serves its community with regular weekend Divine Liturgies, religious education for children, a parish choir, and ongoing charitable outreach including support for humanitarian aid to war-affected Ukraine.

History of the Parish

The parish traces its origins to the early 1900s, when more than 100 Ukrainian and Ruthenian immigrant families settled in the west end of Berwick to work at the American Car and Foundry Company. Finding no local church that worshiped according to the Eastern Christian tradition, the community pooled modest wages to buy the Calvary Methodist Church at Warren Street and First Avenue in 1908, then reoriented the building so the altar faced east. Regular Divine Liturgies began in September 1909 under the parish's first resident pastor, Father Ilarion Yakymowych.

• 1908 — Property (former Calvary Methodist Church) purchased for $5,600 by Trustees George Ragan, Frank Timko, and Andrew Savruck.
• 1908 — Structure physically rotated on its foundation so the altar faces east, per Eastern Rite tradition.
• September 1909 — First resident pastor, Rev. Ilarion Yakymowych, appointed September 5, 1909 by Bishop Soter Ortynsky; first regular Sunday Divine Liturgies begin.
• 1915 — Additional lots and a temporary rectory purchased across the street.
• 1916 — New spacious rectory built under Rev. Joseph Bernatsky.
• 1942 — Purchase of the former Brewing Company property, eight apartment units and a social hall, expanding parish life beyond the church building.
• 1945 — Parochial school established; last graduation held in 1968.
• 1948 — Rev. John Bilanych assigned as pastor during a period of financial difficulty.
• 1955 — All debts and bank loans from the old church paid off; mortgage-burning banquet held June 10, 1956.
• July 6, 1966 — Groundbreaking for the new church.
• November 26, 1967 — Cornerstone blessed by Metropolitan Archbishop Ambrose Senshyn.
• 2009 — Parish celebrates its 100th anniversary with a year of centennial events culminating in a Divine Liturgy led by Metropolitan Stefan Soroka on October 18 and a banquet at Genetti's in Hazleton.

Parish Staff and Clergy

The parish is led by Rev. Vasyl Putera, appointed Pastor effective October 1, 2023, who also serves as Administrator of St. Nicholas Church in Glen Lyon, PA. Lay staff include a Cantor and Choir Director, Director of Religious Education, and Administrative Assistant who keep the parish's liturgical, educational, and administrative life running.

• Rev. Vasyl Putera — Pastor
• Mr. Patrick Marcinko III — Cantor and Choir Director
• Mrs. Sandra Berta — Director of Religious Education
• Mrs. Rosemarie Sember — Administrative Assistant

Liturgical Schedule and Sacraments

The parish celebrates the Eastern-rite Divine Liturgy twice each weekend, with confession (the Mystery of Reconciliation) available a half hour before each Liturgy. Because the parish follows the Byzantine-Ukrainian liturgical tradition inherited from its founders, faithful can worship in a setting that preserves Old Slavonic and Ukrainian chant while remaining in full communion with Rome.

• Saturday — Divine Liturgy at 5:30 PM
• Sunday — Divine Liturgy at 10:30 AM
• Confessions — half hour before each Divine Liturgy
• Confession times per diocesan schedules: Saturday 5:00 PM – 5:15 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Religious Education and Choir

Faith formation for the parish's children is coordinated by Director of Religious Education Sandra Berta, continuing the parish's long educational tradition that once included a full parochial school (1945–1968). Liturgical music is led by Cantor and Choir Director Patrick Marcinko III, with parish cantors such as John Fedorko and Joseph Roll noted for guiding the congregation in traditional chant responses during major feast-day Liturgies.

• Religious Education program under Mrs. Sandra Berta
• Parish choir and cantors led by Mr. Patrick Marcinko III
• Parish school legacy: Ss. Cyril & Methodius parochial school, 1945–1968

Parish Ministries and Community Life

The parish's lay organizations — most notably the Sacred Heart Society, the parish ladies' perohi (perogy) committee, and the parish picnic committee — have sustained both its spiritual life and its fundraising muscle for more than a century. Annual events including the parish picnic with music and folk dancing at the parish park, weekly perogy sales, and special centennial celebrations are organized by these groups.

• Sacred Heart Society (parish women's organization)
• Weekly Perogy (perohi) Sales — major parish fundraiser since the early decades
• Parish Picnic and Folk Dancing at the parish park
• Centennial celebrations (2009) including carol fest, open house, concert by the Ecumen Choral of Olyphant, and banquet at Genetti's, Hazleton

Outreach and Support for Ukraine

Following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia has invited parishes like Ss. Cyril & Methodius to channel donations through its Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine. Parishioners can contribute by check to the Archdiocese marking 'Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine', via the parish collection basket, or online through the Archeparchy's PayPal giving page.

• Checks payable to 'Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia' with 'Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine' in the memo line, mailed to 810 North Franklin Street, Philadelphia PA 19123.
• Donations via the parish collection basket on announcement Sundays.
• Online donations at ukrarcheparchy.us via PayPal, selecting 'War Victims and Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine'.

Facilities, Property, and Cemetery

Over more than a century the parish has assembled a substantial campus in and around Berwick. Beyond the original church at Warren Street and First Avenue (rotated to face east, then replaced by the present domed church built 1966–1968), the parish has owned lots on Freas Avenue used for a cemetery and a parish hall, a parcel along Little Briar Creek and Fifth Avenue used as a parish park, and additional properties including the former Brewing Company building (purchased 1942) and a rectory across the street.

• Present church at 706 Warren Street (corner of Warren Street and First Avenue) — built 1966–1968, blessed November 26, 1967.
• Freas Avenue cemetery and church hall — site of the 1956 mortgage-burning banquet.
• Parish park on the southerly bank of Little Briar Creek and the north side of Fifth Avenue.
• Former Brewing Company property (purchased November 30, 1942) — eight apartment units and a social hall; later site of the parochial school.
• Rectory across the street from the church.

Visiting Ss. Cyril and Methodius

Visitors are warmly welcomed at Ss. Cyril and Methodius, whether for a weekend Divine Liturgy or for confession before services. The parish is located at 706 Warren Street in Berwick, Pennsylvania, with easy access from US-11 south via Warren Street. Parking is available on site.

• Address: 706 Warren Street, Berwick, PA 18603
• Phone: (570) 752-3172
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://sscyrilandmethodius.net/
• Directions: From US-11 south, take Warren Street to the church.