About St. Nicholas of Myra [Ruthenian] · New Orleans, Louisiana
St. Nicholas of Myra is a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic mission located at 2435 South Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. It belongs to the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui iuris) and is in full communion with the Holy See in Rome, while geographically falling within the territory of the Roman Metropolitan Archdiocese of New Orleans. The mission is the only Byzantine Catholic church serving Louisiana and Mississippi, welcoming Roman Catholics to fulfill their Sunday obligation at the Byzantine Divine Liturgy. It currently celebrates the Divine Liturgy every Sunday and is supported by an outreach in Lafayette known as the Byzantine Outreach of Acadiana.
- Established
- 1984 (formally established as a mission; the community's first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in November 1976)
- Patron
- St. Nicholas of Myra
- Rector
- Father John Brown, SSJ (Celebrant)
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui iuris of Pittsburgh); located geographically within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
St. Nicholas of Myra offers a rare opportunity in the Deep South: a small, warm Byzantine Catholic community in full communion with Rome where the Sunday Divine Liturgy (which fulfills the Roman Catholic Sunday obligation) is celebrated every week in the Eastern tradition. Parishioners experience the depth and beauty of the Catholic Church through the iconography, chanting, and liturgical rhythm of the Byzantine rite, while remaining united to the Bishop of Rome. The mission also extends its reach through the Byzantine Outreach of Acadiana in Lafayette, so visitors and new members can connect with Eastern Catholic tradition across Louisiana.
Mass times at St. Nicholas of Myra [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Confession / Reconciliation: Upon Request — available before or after Divine Services
Welcome & Identity
St. Nicholas of Myra is a mission parish of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church sui iuris of Pittsburgh, in full communion with the Holy See in Rome. The parish warmly invites visitors to 'Come and see!' the love of Christ and the beauty of His Church through the Eastern (Byzantine) liturgical tradition. All Roman Catholics who join the community for the Divine Liturgy fulfill their Sunday obligation and are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
- Byzantine Catholic (Ruthenian) mission
- In full communion with Rome
- Roman Catholics fulfilling Sunday obligation are welcome to receive Holy Communion
Our History
The mission's story begins in 1976, grew through four decades of relocation and growth, and continues today in its restored Carrollton Avenue church.
Founding Era (1976–1981)
In November 1976, Father Francis Twardzik, SDB, celebrated the first Byzantine Divine Liturgy at Notre Dame Seminary to teach seminarians about the diversity of the Catholic Church. Archbishop Philip Hannan recognized the local interest and permitted monthly celebrations. In 1978 Father Ellis DePriest, SM (then Rector of Notre Dame Seminary) received bi-ritual faculties from Rome and permission from Metropolitan Archbishop Stephen J. Kocisko of Pittsburgh. In 1982 Archbishop Joseph Tawil of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton also granted Father Ellis Melkite faculties to serve the area's Melkite faithful.
- 1976 — Father Francis Twardzik, SDB, celebrates the first Byzantine Divine Liturgy at Notre Dame Seminary
- 1978 — Father Ellis DePriest receives bi-ritual Ruthenian faculties
- 1981 — Services move from Notre Dame Seminary Chapel to the Dominican College Chapel on St. Charles Avenue
- 1982 — Father Ellis receives Melkite faculties
Becoming a Mission (1984)
In October 1984, Metropolitan Stephen formally raised the community to the status of a mission under the patronage of St. Nicholas of Myra. The congregation relocated to the St. John Prep building on Monroe Street, and two additional priests joined Father Ellis in the rotation, allowing the Divine Liturgy to be celebrated every Sunday.
- October 1984 — community formally recognized as a mission
- Patron: St. Nicholas of Myra
- Weekly Divine Liturgy begins with additional priests
A Permanent Home (1999)
In 1999 the mission purchased a dedicated church property at 2435 South Carrollton Avenue, becoming its permanent home. The community flourished under Metropolitan Judson Procyk until his passing in 2001, and his successor Bishop Basil M. Schott continued to encourage the mission's growth and stability.
- 1999 — property at 2435 S. Carrollton Ave purchased
- Metropolitan Judson Procyk served until 2001
- Bishop Basil M. Schott continued support
Hurricane Katrina & Rebuilding (2005–2008)
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused devastating damage to the church, forcing the congregation to temporarily relocate its services. Reconstruction began later that year, and in 2007 Deacon Gregory Haddad was appointed Administrator to guide the rebuilding. The church joyfully reopened in 2008, though restoration work — including completion of the iconostasis — continues.
- August 29, 2005 — Hurricane Katrina damage
- 2007 — Deacon Gregory Haddad appointed Administrator
- 2008 — church reopens at Carrollton Avenue
Recent Years (2009–Present)
Father Ellis DePriest continued serving faithfully until his death in 2009. That same year, Father Phillip Linden became the Celebrant and Spiritual Guide, restoring services to their original time and renewing the community's spiritual life. The mission is now served by Father John Brown, SSJ (Celebrant) and Father Deacon Gregory Haddad (Administrator).
- 2009 — Father Ellis DePriest passes away
- 2009 — Father Phillip Linden becomes Celebrant and Spiritual Guide
- Current Celebrant: Father John Brown, SSJ
- Current Administrator: Father Deacon Gregory Haddad
Service Times
The mission celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy every Sunday. Holy Day Liturgies are scheduled as announced, and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (a Lenten devotion) is celebrated on Wednesdays during Great Lent.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 10:00 AM
- Holy Day Liturgy — varies; please contact
- Wednesday during Lent — 6:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy (parish website); 7:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts / Typica (Archeparchy listing)
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
All Holy Mysteries are scheduled upon request. Visitors and members are encouraged to contact the mission directly for pastoral care needs.
- Baptism / Chrismation / Eucharist — upon request
- Marriage — upon request
- Anointing of the Sick — upon request
- Confession / Reconciliation — upon request, before or after Divine Services
Byzantine Outreach of Acadiana
An outreach of St. Nicholas of Myra, the Byzantine Catholic Community of Acadiana celebrates the Divine Liturgy once a month in Lafayette, Louisiana, bringing the Byzantine rite to a predominantly Latin-Rite region. The outreach took shape in 2023 when families with a passion for Eastern Catholic traditions connected with Fr. Deacon Gregory Haddad; many had previously attended Byzantine churches such as St. Mary's in Ambridge, PA, Holy Resurrection in Knoxville, TN, and St. Nicholas of Myra in New Orleans.
- Monthly Divine Liturgy in Lafayette, LA
- Connected to St. Nicholas of Myra New Orleans
- Coordinated with Fr. Deacon Gregory Haddad
- Outreach website: byzantinecatholiclouisiana.com
Visit & Contact
The parish welcomes visitors and new members. For questions about the Byzantine Catholic tradition, upcoming events, or to schedule sacraments, contact the parish office by phone or email.
- Address: 2435 South Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118
- Mailing: 4680 West Main St., Houma, LA 70360-4916
- Phone: (504) 861-0806
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stnicholasnola.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/StNicholasOfMyra
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Francis Twardzik, SDB1976–1978
Celebrated the first Byzantine Divine Liturgy at Notre Dame Seminary; obtained monthly permission from Archbishop Hannan.
- Father Ellis DePriest, SM1978–2009
Received bi-ritual (Roman/Ruthenian and Melkite) faculties; led the community from its earliest days; served until his death in 2009.
- Father Phillip Linden2009–
Became Celebrant and Spiritual Guide after Father Ellis's passing in 2009; helped renew the community's spiritual life.
- Father Deacon Gregory Haddad2007–present
Appointed Administrator in 2007 to guide post-Katrina rebuilding; church reopened in 2008.
- Father John Brown, SSJpresent
Current Celebrant of the Divine Liturgy.