St. Pius X [Ruthenian]

Welcome to St. Pius X Byzantine Catholic Church

St. Pius X is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic parish serving the Central South Hills of Pittsburgh from its home on Brownsville Road in Carrick. Founded in 1954, the parish is part of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh—one of the 24 sui juris churches in full communion with the Pope and the Church of Rome. The community celebrates the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom almost entirely in English, with both priest and congregation singing their parts.

Our History

Bishop Daniel Ivancho's June 17, 1954 Episcopal Proclamation created the parish, and the Exarchate of Pittsburgh purchased the John M. Phillips mansion and five acres on Brownsville Road as its first site. The first four years of liturgies were celebrated in that mansion under three founding priests in turn: Father Andrew Pataki (from June 27, 1954), Father Michael A. Kushner (February 1, 1955), and Father Thomas V. Dolinay (February 1, 1956). On October 19, 1958, the community moved into a newly built all-purpose auditorium. Father Andrew D. Bachkovsky took charge of parish development in 1961, and Father Nicholas X. Smiciklas became pastor on September 14, 1964—serving nearly 42 years until his retirement on April 1, 2006. Father Smiciklas fell asleep in the Lord on September 13, 2006.

• June 17, 1954 — Parish canonically established by Bishop Daniel Ivancho.
• 1954–1958 — Liturgies held in the John M. Phillips mansion.
• October 19, 1958 — First liturgy in the new all-purpose auditorium.
• 1961 — Father Andrew D. Bachkovsky assumes pastoral leadership.
• September 14, 1964 — Father Nicholas X. Smiciklas begins his 42-year pastorate.
• December 6, 1973 — First liturgy celebrated in the present church (Feast of St. Nicholas).
• May 19, 1974 — Present church dedicated, honoring the 1954 canonization of St. Pius X.

The Church Building

The current St. Pius X church seats 411 and is crowned by a 65-foot bell tower with carillon bells. Inside, ancient and modern historical references are displayed to bolster faith and enhance worship: cultural artifacts, national flags, icons, and written leaflets appear throughout. A Corridor of Memories displays significant events and personalities in the history of the Archeparchy and the parish.

• 65-foot bell tower with carillon bells
• Seating for 411
• Corridor of Memories — Archeparchy and parish history
• Chapel of Remembrance — honoring modern Byzantine Catholic martyrs Bishops Theodore Romzha, Alexander Chira, Paul Gojdič, and Basil Hopko
• The Word of God Shrine — honors Saints Cyril and Methodius; displays national emblems of Subcarpathian-Rus', Hungary, and Croatia; recalls the 1913 appointment of Father Soter Ortinsky as first Byzantine Catholic Bishop in the U.S.
• Tree of Life sculpture ('Sermon on the Mount') — commemorates Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras lifting the 1054 excommunication, Blessed John Paul II's ecumenical work, and the appointments of Bishop Takach and Metropolitan Archbishop Kocisko

Divine Liturgy & Worship Schedule

The parish celebrates the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, written by the 5th-century Archbishop of Constantinople. Today this same liturgy is celebrated almost entirely in English, with both priest and congregation singing their participation. The normal weekly schedule is supplemented by special Holy Week and Great Lent services.

• Sunday Divine Liturgy — 10:30 AM
• Tuesday Sixth Hour — 12:00 Noon
• Wednesday — Confessions 11:00 AM; Divine Liturgy 12:00 Noon
• Holy Days — See bulletin / website
• Confessions — Tuesday 11:00 AM, Wednesday 11:00 AM, or by appointment

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious Education for children in K through 12 is coordinated by Helenanne Hochendoner (412-203-3046). The program is designed for both public-school children who receive no religious instruction elsewhere and Catholic-school children whose schools may not cover the distinctives of Byzantine tradition. Youth Eastern Christian Formation (ECF / Catechism) meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 5:30 PM at Holy Spirit Parish Hall.

• K–12 Religious Education — Helenanne Hochendoner, 412-203-3046
• Youth ECF / Catechism — 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 5:30 PM, Holy Spirit Parish Hall
• Adult Eastern Christian Formation — periodic lectures on Byzantine spirituality, the Divine Liturgy, iconography, and the Catholic faith (recordings posted online)
• Topics covered include: Theology of the Divine Liturgy, Byzantine Devotional Prayer, The Daily Cycle of Prayer, Iconography in the Home, Architecture in Liturgy, Preparing for the Eucharist, and Preparing for Death the Byzantine Way

Sacraments (Holy Mysteries)

All sacramental arrangements are made through the pastor. Call the rectory at 412-881-8344 or the alternate line at 412-687-1220.

• Baptism / Chrismation / Eucharist — contact the pastor
• Marriage — contact the pastor
• Anointing of the Sick — contact the pastor
• Confession — Tuesday 11 AM, Wednesday 11 AM, or by appointment

Pirohy (Pierogi) & Halushky Sales

A beloved parish tradition, St. Pius X sells homemade pirohy and halushky every Friday during Great Lent (excluding Good Friday), noon to 5 PM. Varieties include potato/cheese, cabbage, sauerkraut, and cottage cheese. Pirohy may be purchased cooked or frozen; eat-in and take-out are both available.

• When: Fridays during the Great Fast, 12 noon – 5 PM (not Good Friday)
• Where: St. Pius X Byzantine Catholic Church, 2336 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh (Carrick), PA 15210
• Varieties: potato/cheese, cabbage, sauerkraut, cottage cheese
• Eat-in or take-out; cooked or frozen
• Questions and advance orders: 412-881-8344

Parish Organizations & Community Life

Beyond worship, the parish hosts a GCU (Greek Catholic Union) fraternal lodge and rents out its parish hall for community gatherings of up to 250 people. The parish maintains a sister-parish relationship with Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church in Oakland.

• GCU Central Pittsburgh Regional Lodge – St. Pius X (Trustees: Helen Ference, Beth Gulyasy; [email protected])
• Parish Hall Rental — accommodates up to 250 persons (contact the rectory)
• Sister parish: Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church, Oakland (Pittsburgh)

Contact & Staff

Parish inquiries should be directed to the rectory. The current administrator is Reverend Michael D. Kunitz.

• Administrator: Reverend Michael D. Kunitz (direct line 412-881-8143)
• Cantor: Mrs. Gerry O'Connor
• Religious Education: Helenanne Hochendoner — 412-203-3046
• Rectory: 412-881-8344 · Fax: 412-884-7504 · Alternate: 412-687-1220 (not for pirohi orders)
• Email: [email protected]
• Trustees: Helen Ference and Beth Gulyasy
• Address: 2336 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 (intersection of Becks Run Road and Brownsville Road)