Sts. Peter and Paul [Ruthenian]

About Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church

Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Greek Catholic) parish of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, located in Portage, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The parish traces its roots to Greek Catholic immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire who settled in the area in the early twentieth century and who originally walked more than seven miles to St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in South Fork for worship. The parish was chartered on August 19, 1917, and continues today under the pastoral care of Very Rev. James A. Spontak and Deacon Daniel F. Perich, offering the full Byzantine liturgical and sacramental life to the faithful of Portage and surrounding communities.

History of the Parish

The parish was organized in 1917 through the efforts of Father Elias Gojdich, pastor of St. Michael's in South Fork, and six founding lay officers: Michael Rudy, Andrew Verba, Andrew Ridella, John Batche Sr., Wasil Wills, and Peter Mindak. Father Desiderius Zubriczky became the first resident pastor and traveled to Bens Creek, Puritan, Springhill, Wilmore, Oil City, Lilly, and Cassandra to gather support for building a new church. That original church, at 601 Prospect Street, was dedicated on July 4, 1918. After more than fifty years of growth, the congregation decided in 1971 to relocate to its 'Maple Grove' property along Munster Road (Route 164); the present church was dedicated in 1976 and is decorated with the theme 'Christ, the Light of the World' through its multi-colored faceted windows.

• Chartered: August 19, 1917
• Original church dedicated: July 4, 1918 (601 Prospect Street)
• New church dedicated: 1976 (Maple Grove / Munster Road)
• First resident pastor: Father Desiderius Zubriczky
• Parish vocations: Fr. Paul Tigyer, Fr. Joseph Ridella, Fr. John Koza, Fr. Edward Pyo
• Long-serving cantor: Michael Halas (45 years)

Clergy and Staff

The parish is currently served by Very Reverend James A. Spontak as pastor, assisted by Deacon Daniel F. Perich. Fr. Spontak also ministers to the Ss. Peter and Paul mission in Dunlo and to St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Beaverdale — the Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy alternates between those two mission locations.

• Pastor: Very Rev. James A. Spontak
• Deacon: Daniel F. Perich

Pastoral Succession

The parish website lists its succession of clergy. Father Elias Gojdich organized the founding from St. Michael, South Fork. Father Desiderius Zubriczky was the first resident pastor and built the original Prospect Street church. Subsequent pastors include Rev. Nicholas Stecovitch, Rev. Stephen Zacharis, Rev. Stephen Loya, Rev. Msgr. Michael Simodyka, Rev. Albert Bihary, Rev. Ronald Borsuk, Rev. John Dorich, Rev. Robert Bayusik, Fr. Myron Kochaba, and Fr. Robert Karl. Fr. Jason Dolan served as administrator of Ss. Peter & Paul (and St. Michael, South Fork) until being relieved of the assignment in January 2005. The present pastor is Very Rev. James A. Spontak.

• Rev. Elias Gojdich — founding organizer (1917)
• Fr. Desiderius Zubriczky — first resident pastor
• Rev. Nicholas Stecovitch
• Rev. Stephen Zacharis
• Rev. Stephen Loya
• Rev. Msgr. Michael Simodyka
• Rev. Albert Bihary
• Rev. Ronald Borsuk
• Rev. John Dorich
• Rev. Robert Bayusik
• Fr. Myron Kochaba
• Fr. Robert Karl
• Rev. Jason Dolan — administrator (relieved January 10, 2005)
• Very Rev. James A. Spontak — current pastor

Divine Liturgy and Worship Schedule

The parish celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy every Sunday morning at 9:00 AM, preceded by the Third Hour at 8:40 AM. A Vigil Divine Liturgy is offered on Saturdays at 5:00 PM, with the location alternating between the Beaverdale and Dunlo missions. Weekday Divine Liturgies are celebrated as announced, typically with the Third Hour at 7:45 AM and the Divine Liturgy at 8:00 AM. On Great Feast days the Third Hour is at 8:45 AM followed by the Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM, with Great Vespers with Litija celebrated on the eve (time and parish announced in the bulletin).

• Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy — 5:00 PM (alternates between Beaverdale and Dunlo)
• Sunday — Third Hour 8:40 AM; Divine Liturgy 9:00 AM
• Weekdays (as announced) — Third Hour 7:45 AM; Divine Liturgy 8:00 AM
• Feast Days — Third Hour 8:45 AM; Divine Liturgy 9:00 AM
• Great Vespers with Litija — Vigil of Great Feasts (announced in bulletin)

Great Fast (Lent) and Holy Week Schedule

The parish observes the full Byzantine cycle of Great Lent and Holy Week with the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Pure Monday, on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the Fast, and on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Great and Holy Week, each at 7:00 PM. Great and Holy Thursday features Vespers with Divine Liturgy at 7:00 PM commemorating the Institution of the Eucharist and Judas's betrayal. Great and Holy Friday brings Matins and the reading of the Passion Gospels at 10:00 AM, followed by Solemn Vespers and the Procession with the Burial Shroud at 7:00 PM. The Paschal Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday is celebrated at 10:30 AM.

• Pure Monday — Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, 7:00 PM
• Lenten Wednesdays and Fridays — Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, 7:00 PM
• Great and Holy Week (Mon–Wed) — Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, 7:00 PM
• Great and Holy Thursday — Vespers with Divine Liturgy, 7:00 PM
• Great and Holy Friday — Matins & Passion Gospels, 10:00 AM; Solemn Vespers & Procession, 7:00 PM
• Pascha (Easter) — Paschal Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM

Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)

The Byzantine sacraments — called the 'Holy Mysteries' — are celebrated according to the parish's published norms. Christian Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation, and Eucharist) is preferably celebrated during the Sunday Divine Liturgy, with pre-baptism catechesis required. Crowning in Marriage requires a six-month period of preparation and attendance at the Archeparchy's Pre-Cana Program. Holy Anointing is offered to the homebound and hospitalized, and is also celebrated each year on Great and Holy Wednesday during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

• Baptism / Chrismation / Eucharist — pre-baptism catechesis required; preferably during Sunday Liturgy
• Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturdays 1:00 PM at Portage, 3:30 PM at Beaverdale/Dunlo; ½ hour before services (except Sundays); by appointment
• Crowning in Marriage — six-month preparation; Archeparchy Pre-Cana Program required
• Holy Anointing — for the homebound and hospitalized; Great and Holy Wednesday; by request

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Ss. Peter & Paul provides Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) for children from Pre-K through High School on Sundays from 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM, September through May. Adult and young adult learning sessions are offered on Sundays from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM during the Great Fast and Philip's Fast, as scheduled. This catechetical life complements the Sunday Divine Liturgy and helps parishioners of all ages grow in the Byzantine Christian tradition.

• Youth Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) — Sundays 10:15–11:30 AM (Sept–May), Pre-K through High School
• Adult / Young Adult Learning Sessions — Sundays 4:00–6:00 PM during Great Fast and Philip's Fast

Parish Activities and Fellowship

Beyond the liturgical calendar, the parish maintains a strong community life through regular service gatherings and a celebrated Annual Ethnic Festival. The Monthly Work Party (1st Saturday of each month, unless a Feast Day) and the Monthly Church Cleaning (currently held on the 1st Tuesday, having recently been moved from Monday) keep the church and grounds in good order and offer a chance for parishioners to work side by side. The Annual Ethnic Festival, held on the second Sunday of July from Noon to 8:00 PM, draws visitors from across the region with live music, traditional Slavic foods, and family activities.

• Monthly Work Party — 1st Saturday (unless a Feast Day)
• Monthly Church Cleaning — 1st Tuesday (unless a Feast Day)
• Annual Ethnic Festival — 2nd Sunday of July, Noon–8:00 PM

Annual Ethnic Festival

The parish's signature community event is the Annual Ethnic Festival, held on the second Sunday of July from Noon to 8:00 PM at 143 Church Road (just off Munster Road / Route 164). The festival features live bands throughout the day (past lineups have included 'That Oldees Band' and the Celtic rock group 'Full Kilt'), homemade ethnic foods (roast pork sandwiches, barbecue chicken, halushki, halupki, pirohi, sloppy joes, kielbasa, hot dogs, hot sausage, wing dings, and french fries), a bake sale featuring homemade gobs, candy apples, funnel cakes, ice cream, a basket raffle, bingo, cash raffle, and children's games. The church building is open during the afternoon, with brief guided tours at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM explaining the icons and Byzantine Catholic beliefs and practices.

• Live music throughout the day (past: 'That Oldees Band', 'Full Kilt', 'Rosie and the Jammers')
• Homemade Slavic foods: halushki, halupki, pirohi, kielbasa, gobs
• Bake sale, candy apples, funnel cakes, ice cream
• Basket raffle, bingo, cash raffle, children's games
• Guided tours of the church at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
• Free admission and free parking

Parish Buildings and Architecture

The parish today worships in its second church building, completed on the 'Maple Grove' property along Munster Road (Route 164) and dedicated in 1976. The decorative program of the present church centers on the theme 'Christ, the Light of the World,' most visibly expressed through its multi-colored faceted windows. The original 1918 church building remains at 601 Prospect Street in the borough as a tangible reminder of the parish's immigrant roots. The Archeparchy listing notes that the parish also serves the Dunlo and Beaverdale mission locations.

• Present church — dedicated 1976, 'Maple Grove' property, Munster Road / Route 164
• Original church — 601 Prospect Street, dedicated July 4, 1918
• Decorative theme — 'Christ, the Light of the World' (multi-colored faceted windows)
• Missions served — Ss. Peter & Paul (Dunlo) and St. Mary (Beaverdale)

Contact and Location

Parishioners and visitors can reach Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church at 143 Church Road, Portage, PA 15946 (Portage Township, Cambria County). The rectory phone number is 814-736-9780 (fax 814-736-8701). The parish bulletins are posted online at byzantinecatholic.net, and the parish maintains a presence on Facebook (referenced in the bulletin as 'like us on Facebook').

• Address: 143 Church Road, Portage, PA 15946
• Rectory phone: 814-736-9780
• Fax: 814-736-8701
• Website: byzantinecatholic.net
• Online bulletins available at the parish website
• Facebook page (referenced in parish bulletins)