About St. George [Ruthenian] · Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
St. George Byzantine Catholic Church is a small, active Ruthenian (Carpatho-Rusyn) Byzantine Catholic parish in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, about 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. The community worships in the Byzantine tradition — a cappella congregational chant, vibrant iconography, and incense — and is celebrated for its intimate, family-style parish life. A century-old congregation, St. George is part of the Byzantine Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh under Metropolitan Archbishop Basil and is currently administered by Father Anthony Costantino, who also serves nearby St. Mary Byzantine Church in Ambridge and St. Nicholas Chapel in Beaver.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- St. George the Great Martyr
- Rector
- Father Anthony Costantino (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Byzantine Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian/Metropolitan Church of Pittsburgh, under the spiritual direction of His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Basil)
Why belong here
St. George offers a rare combination of over a century of unbroken Byzantine Catholic tradition and the close, family-style community of a small parish. Members experience the full beauty of Byzantine worship — congregational a cappella chant, icons, and incense — in a setting where everyone knows each other's name. The parish is rooted in Carpatho-Rusyn heritage (its monthly pirohi sales and annual Flea Market/Rusyn Kitchen are community traditions), yet welcomes newcomers warmly, supports inter-parish Beaver County Eastern Christian Formation, and walks with members through every stage of life, from baptism through marriage and anointing.
Mass times at St. George [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursdays 4:45–5:45 PM
- Before Sunday Divine Liturgy
- Fridays during Lent 4:45–5:45 PM
History of St. George Parish
St. George Byzantine Catholic Church was founded by Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants who settled in the steel-mill town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania in the early 1900s. Before the parish existed, the faithful walked to the Ohio River to board a boat to the nearest Byzantine churches in McKees Rocks and Pittsburgh's South Side. The parish was formally organized on March 15, 1915 at the home of Andrew Kovacs, and the first church in honor of St. George the Great Martyr was consecrated on July 4, 1917. The present church, rectory, and Educational Center were dedicated in 1967 during the parish's Golden Jubilee. St. George celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015.
- Founded 1915; first church consecrated July 4, 1917
- Present church dedicated October 29, 1967 (Golden Jubilee Year)
- Monsignor Michael Simodejka served as pastor from 1947 until 1997 — over 50 years
- First CCD (now Eastern Christian Formation) in the Archeparchy, established October 11, 1953
- 100th Anniversary celebrated in 2015
Liturgy & Worship (Byzantine Catholic)
St. George celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine (Ruthenian/Byzantine Slavonic-English) tradition, distinguished by congregational a cappella chant, iconography, incense, and a rich liturgical calendar. Sunday Divine Liturgy is the heart of parish life, preceded by the First Hour and accompanied by the parish cantors. Weekday Vespers, Great Vespers with Litija, and special festal services round out the worship schedule.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 8:30 AM (with First Hour at 8:15 AM)
- Weekday Divine Liturgy — Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 PM
- Great Vespers — Saturdays at 7 PM on even weeks
- Great Vespers with Litija — for major feasts such as St. George the Great Martyr
- Anticipated Sunday / Patronal Feast Divine Liturgy — Saturday 5:00 PM (e.g., May 2 for St. George)
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
St. George celebrates the seven Holy Mysteries of the Byzantine Catholic tradition. Regular times for Confession are listed in the bulletin, and the other Mysteries are arranged by contacting the priest in advance.
- Reconciliation (Confession): Thursdays 4:45–5:45 PM and before Sunday Divine Liturgy; Fridays in Lent 4:45–5:45 PM
- Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist): contact the priest
- Anointing: contact the priest prior to surgery or in illness
- Marriage: contact the pastor at least six months in advance
- Blessing of Homes and funeral/memorial services arranged through the parish
Eastern Christian Formation & Faith Education
St. George has a long and pioneering history of lay religious education: on October 11, 1953 it became the FIRST parish in the Byzantine Catholic Diocese (now Archeparchy) of Pittsburgh to receive a Decree of Erection of a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), now known as Eastern Christian Formation. Today the parish partners with St. Mary (Ambridge) and St. Nicholas (Beaver) for the combined Beaver County Byzantines Eastern Christian Formation program, offering classes, activities, and family events. The parish also hosts an ongoing adult education series ('Catholic Conversations') and maintains a Church Library.
- First CCD/ECF in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (1953)
- Combined Beaver County Byzantine ECF with St. Mary (Ambridge) and St. Nicholas (Beaver)
- Sunday ECF classes approximately twice a month at 10:00 AM
- Adult Education — Catholic Conversations series (Thursdays after 6 PM Liturgy)
- Church Library — open to all
Parish Organizations & Ministries
Parish life at St. George is shaped by a small but committed set of lay organizations. Every adult parishioner is considered a member of the Ladies Guild or Men's Club, and the cantors play a vital liturgical role. Stewardship opportunities include Saturday church and grounds cleaning and monthly pirohi making.
- Ladies Guild — all women of the parish; organizes dinners, parties, and supports monthly pirohi sales
- Men's Club — all men of the parish; hosts Mother's Day Breakfast, annual picnic, Theology on Tap, Trivia Nights
- Cantorial Group — Jo Ann Hersh, Louisa Hersh, David Klacik, Dan Pinchot
- Hospitality Committee
- Fundraising Committee — annual Flea Market and Ethnic Food Sales
- Pirohi Project — second Friday of each month, October–May
The Pirohi Tradition & Carpatho-Rusyn Heritage
St. George is known throughout southwestern Pennsylvania for its handmade Carpatho-Rusyn pirohi — potato, sauerkraut, cheese, and lekvar — made by volunteer parishioners the second week of each month and sold on the second Friday, October through May. Orders can be placed by calling the parish after 7 AM. The annual Flea Market and Rusyn Kitchen (featuring haluski and holupki) takes place in late June and is the parish's biggest fundraiser of the year.
- Monthly Pirohi Sales — 2nd Friday of each month, October through May
- Pirohi varieties: potato, sauerkraut, cheese, and lekvar
- $5 per dozen; call (724) 375-6652 after 7 AM to order
- Annual Flea Market and Rusyn Kitchen — Friday & Saturday following Father's Day
- Stewardship opportunity: pirohi making second week of each month
Parish Staff & Cantors
The parish is administered by Father Anthony Costantino, with the support of a religious sister, cantors, and lay grounds keepers. Liturgical music is led by a dedicated group of cantors whose ministry is central to Byzantine worship.
- Father Anthony Costantino — Administrator (also St. Mary, Ambridge and St. Nicholas Chapel, Beaver)
- Sr. Mary Virginia O'Carm — Religious Sister (Holy Protection Convent, 1000 Clinton St.)
- Cantors: Jo Ann Hersh, Louisa Hersh, David Klacik, Dan Pinchot
- Grounds Keepers: Rich Mudron, Rob Dzumba, Francis Hersh
- Safe Environment Coordinators: Jackie Pinchot, Patty Costantino
The Educational-Social Center & Facilities
The St. George complex — built around 1967 — is dominated by the church with its 53-foot twin towers and arched front entrance. A corridor connects the church to the Educational-Social Center, which houses four classrooms, a library, a conference room, a large social hall, gym, locker rooms, and lounges. The Center is used for ECF classes, parish dinners, fellowship events, and rentals for wedding receptions, banquets, and special occasions.
- 53-foot twin towers flanking the arched entrance
- Educational-Social Center with classrooms, library, conference room, social hall, gym
- St. George Center available for wedding receptions, banquets, and special events
- Adjoining parish grounds with parking
Directions & Visiting
St. George is 'off the beaten path but close by,' located 7 miles north of Pittsburgh International Airport in Aliquippa. Visitors are warmly welcomed to experience the beauty and majesty of Byzantine worship and to share in the parish's rich Carpatho-Rusyn tradition — including, of course, the famous homemade pirohi.
- From Pittsburgh: Route 60 toward the airport, then Exit 10 – Aliquippa
- Turn right onto Mill Street, then right at the 2nd light onto Broadhead Road
- Left onto Main Street (3rd turning), then right onto Meadow Street; Meadow becomes Clinton Street
- St. George Church is visible on the right
- All from near and far are welcome
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Arnold Suba1915–
First pastor; organized the parish from McKees Rocks and led construction of the original 1917 church.
- Father Michael (Monsignor) Simodejka1947–1997
Titled Monsignor by Pope Paul VI in 1976; served the parish for over 50 years until his death on October 2, 1997.
- Father Elias O'Brien, O.Carm.1997 holiday
Carmelite monk from England who served as administrator during the clergy shortage after Msgr. Simodejka's death.
- Father Kevin E. Marks
Pastor at the time of the 95th Anniversary (2010) and listed as pastor on the parish's byzcath.org page.
- Father Geoffrey Mackay
Listed as pastor of St. Mary, Ambridge and Administrator of St. George; granted leave of absence effective January 31, 2024.
- Father Christiaan Kappes2024
Appointed administrator of St. Mary, Ambridge and St. George, Aliquippa effective January 31, 2024.
- Father Anthony Costantino2024–present
Appointed Administrator effective July 1, 2024; previously ordained in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix (2022); a native of Canonsburg, PA.