About St. Gregory Nazianzus [Ruthenian] · Upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania
St. Gregory of Nazianzus Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic parish located in Upper St. Clair, a suburb just south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It belongs to the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and worships in the Byzantine liturgical tradition, using English (with elements of Church Slavonic and the Byzantine chant tradition). The parish grew out of a South Hills mission that celebrated its first Divine Liturgy in 1971, was formally established by Archbishop Stephen Kocisko, and built its current church plant in phases between 1973 and 1986. Today it serves Byzantine Catholic families from Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Mt. Lebanon, Scott Township, and Peters Township, with a strong Eastern Christian Formation program for youth and an active Men's Club, GCU Lodge, and parish organizations.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- St. Gregory of Nazianzus
- Rector
- Rev. Valerian M. Michlik, JCOL
- Diocese
- Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Gregory offers a warm, family-oriented Byzantine Catholic home in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, where the faithful can worship according to the rich Ruthenian liturgical tradition and grow in faith through a strong Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) program for children, an active Men's Club, a Greek Catholic Union (GCU) Lodge, and connection with the Pittsburgh Byzantine Serra Club. The parish is small enough that newcomers — whether cradle Byzantine Catholics or visitors stepping into the Eastern tradition for the first time — are welcomed and accompanied, and it draws Byzantine Catholic families from across the South Hills including Bethel Park, Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Mt. Lebanon, Scott Township, Upper St. Clair, and Peters Township. It is also a parish where you can deepen your prayer life through regular Sunday and Saturday Divine Liturgies, weekday Lenten services, a Bethany Ministry for health and wellness, and parish fundraisers that build community (Kolbasi sales, Comedy Night, Spaghetti Dinner).
Mass times at St. Gregory Nazianzus [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m.
- Anytime by appointment
Parish History
St. Gregory of Nazianzus Byzantine Catholic Church grew from a South Hills mission that celebrated its first Divine Liturgy in the Knights of Columbus Hall on May 2, 1971. Two years later a small group of faithful petitioned Archbishop Stephen Kocisko to form a parish; the community was assigned its first pastor, Rev. David Witkowski, and began the search for a permanent home. Ground was broken on August 12, 1973, on a 4.3-acre site at 2005 Mohawk Road, and the lower church (a concrete-block structure) was completed in 1976. The upper sanctuary was built in 1983 and solemnly dedicated on September 14, 1986. The upper church was extensively renovated in 1995–1996, gaining a new dome, interior finishes, and a chapel for daily Liturgy; the icon screen was installed in 1998 under the direction of Rev. Bruno A. Asturi.
- First Divine Liturgy: May 2, 1971 (South Hills Knights of Columbus Hall)
- Parish formally erected under Archbishop Stephen Kocisko, 1973
- Ground broken on 2005 Mohawk Road site: August 12, 1973
- Lower church completed: 1976
- Upper sanctuary built: spring 1983
- Solemn dedication of upper church: Sunday, September 14, 1986
- Major renovation of upper church: 1995–1996 (new dome, pews, lighting, chapel)
- Icon screen installed: 1998
Clergy & Staff
St. Gregory is currently served by pastor Rev. Valerian M. Michlik, JCOL — who also serves as Professor of Pastoral Practice and Canon Law at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh and as Judicial Vicar for the Archeparchy — along with two permanent deacons. The parish office and rectory can be reached at (412) 835-7800.
- Pastor: Rev. Valerian M. Michlik, JCOL (appointed 2012)
- Deacon: Michael E. George
- Deacon: Timothy J. Corbett
- Rectory: (412) 835-7800
Divine Liturgy & Worship Schedule
In keeping with Byzantine Catholic tradition, the principal Sunday service is the Divine Liturgy, preceded by the Third Hour. The parish's regular Sunday and Saturday (anticipated) schedule is supplemented by rich Lenten services during the Great Fast.
- Saturday (anticipated Divine Liturgy): 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: Third Hour 9:10 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesdays (Great Fast): 7:00 p.m. — Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
- Fridays (Great Fast): 11:00 a.m. — Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (Lenten Luncheon afterwards); 7:00 p.m. — Akathist Hymn to the Passion of Our Lord
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
The parish celebrates the Byzantine Catholic mysteries (sacraments) with an emphasis on preparation and ongoing spiritual care. Anointing of the Sick is offered monthly for parishioners in good standing, and marriages are solemnized only on Saturdays or Sundays with significant advance preparation.
- Confession: Saturday 3:30 p.m. or anytime by appointment
- Marriage (Byzantine Crowning): Saturdays or Sundays; consult the priest at least six months in advance and before booking the reception
- Anointing of the Sick: monthly, open to parishioners in good ecclesiastical standing
Eastern Christian Formation (Religious Education)
The Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) program is a central part of parish life for children and youth, helping them 'develop a readiness to accept and to make their own the lifestyle and tradition of the community of believers.' Classes meet on Sunday mornings after the Divine Liturgy. Adult Education sessions are offered periodically throughout the year.
- ECF: Sundays, 10:45 a.m.–11:45 a.m., Pre-K through Grade 12
- Adult Education: varies throughout the year; contact the parish office for upcoming sessions
Parish Organizations & Fellowship
St. Gregory has an active lay life organized around a Men's Club, a local Greek Catholic Union (GCU) Lodge, and representation in the Pittsburgh Byzantine Serra Club. The parish also runs the Bethany Ministry — which has hosted health-and-wellness talks such as 'What Would Jesus Eat?' — and a livestream ministry via the parish Facebook page.
- Men's Club
- Greek Catholic Union (GCU) Lodge
- Pittsburgh Byzantine Serra Club (parishioner members)
- Bethany Ministry
- Facebook livestream (facebook.com/stgregoryusc)
Fundraisers & Parish Events
Parish life is supported by a handful of beloved annual traditions — including the Kolbasi sales held on the weekends preceding Christmas and Easter, and two fall fundraisers that have become community favorites. The 13th Annual Comedy Night is among the recurring events.
- Kolbasi Sales — weekend before Christmas and Easter
- Annual Comedy Night Fundraiser — fall (13th annual as of recent parish communications)
- Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser — fall
Visit, Contact & Community Area
The parish welcomes visitors, especially those experiencing a Byzantine Catholic church for the first time. The greeting on the parish's homepage reads 'Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!' and invites newcomers to share in the tradition and worship of St. Gregory. The parish draws Byzantine Catholic families from Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Mt. Lebanon, Scott Township, and Peters Township.
- Address: 2005 Mohawk Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241
- Phone: (412) 835-7800
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stgregoryusc.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/stgregoryusc
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. David Witkowski1973–
First pastor assigned to St. Gregory after the faithful petitioned Archbishop Stephen Kocisko to form a parish.
- Rev. Bruno A. Asturi
Directed the 1995–1996 renovation and iconography of the upper church; served until he fell asleep in the Lord on January 26, 2009.
- Rev. Thomas J. Wesdock
Relieved as pastor; per Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Official Appointments (effective May 4, 2012), Very Rev. Eugene P. Yackanich was appointed Temporary Administrator at that time.
- Very Rev. Eugene P. Yackanich2012–
Appointed Temporary Administrator effective May 4, 2012.
- Rev. Valerian M. Michlik2012–present
Pastor of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church, Upper St. Clair, PA, since 2012; also serves as Professor of Pastoral Practice and Canon Law at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary and as Judicial Vicar for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.