Sts. Peter and Paul [Ruthenian]

Welcome and Parish Mission

Saints Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church describes itself as a member of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church of Pittsburgh, called through the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a community and family, the parish grows in faith and in the image and likeness of God by dedicating itself to welcoming, celebrating, and caring for all of God's people. Founded on Christmas Day (January 7, 1925), the parish has been both a witness to and an active participant in the rich history of Warren, Ohio, with many parishioners descended from founding families alongside newcomers from diverse cultural and religious traditions.

Parish History

The full story traces the parish from a borrowed Roman Catholic hall in 1925, to the purchase of the Central School building in 1926, to Father John Stim's decade as the first resident pastor (1935–1945), to Father Sylvester Hladky's era of growth that produced the present church (blessed 1952), the school (1957), and ultimately Infant of Prague Manor (1990). The 21st-century chapters — Father Robert Karl's iconostasis and church renovation beginning in 2006, Father Andrew Deskevich's liturgical and outreach expansion from 2010, Father Simeon Sibenik's pastorate (2015–2022), and Father Miron Kerul-Kmec, Jr.'s arrival in August 2024 — close out a hundred-year arc of faith, sacrifice, and grace that the parish formally celebrated on June 29, 2025.

• 1925: First Divine Liturgy celebrated in the hall of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Warren.
• 1926: Parish purchases the former Central School building.
• 1935: Father John Stim becomes first resident pastor.
• 1950–1952: Current church built (ground broken 1 May 1950; first Divine Liturgy 18 December 1951; blessed on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, 29 June 1952).
• 1953: Convent purchased on Willard Ave and East Market Street.
• 1957: SS. Peter & Paul School opens, staffed by the Byzantine Benedictine Sisters.
• 1990: Infant of Prague Manor (46-unit senior apartments) built adjacent to the church.
• 2005: School closes due to declining enrollment.
• 2006: School sold; parish complex remodeling begins under Father Robert J. Karl.
• 2004–2010: Father Robert J. Karl's pastorate; church transformed into authentic Byzantine worship space with first iconostasis.
• 2010–c.2015: Father Andrew J. Deskevich's pastorate.
• 2015–2022: Father Simeon Bruce Sibenik's pastorate.
• August 2024: Father Miron Kerul-Kmec, Jr., arrives with Presbytera Sarah and their four children.
• June 29, 2025: 100th Anniversary celebration.

Clergy and Parish Staff

The parish is currently served by Father Miron Kerul-Kmec, Jr., pastor since August 2024, who is available for appointments beyond the stated office hours. Parish office administrator Lisa Mosko is on site Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh formally lists Father Miron as the parish priest, and his predecessor Father Simeon Sibenik (retired August 1, 2022) is remembered as a longtime pastor and Protopresbyter of the North Central Protopresbyterate.

• Father Miron Kerul-Kmec, Jr. — Pastor (since August 2024)
• Presbytera Sarah Kerul-Kmec
• Lisa Mosko — Parish Office (Mon/Wed/Fri, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM)

Byzantine Liturgy and Schedule

As a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic parish, Saints Peter & Paul celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine tradition. According to the parish website, the regular schedule is Saturday at 5:00 PM, Sunday at 10:00 AM, and 6:30 PM on weekday Feast Days. The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh listing also references a Wednesday 6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during Lent and an additional Saturday evening liturgy; parishioners are encouraged to confirm the current schedule via the parish bulletin or website.

• Saturday — 5:00 PM
• Sunday — 10:00 AM
• Weekday Feast Days — 6:30 PM
• Lent: Wednesdays — 6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (per Archeparchy listing)

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish offers Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) classes for youth during the school year on Sundays from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, and adult faith formation is offered twice a year. Father Miron leads a Rule for Life Class — an ongoing study of Scripture, the spiritual life, and patristic texts (including Saint Peter of Damaskos' list of 298 passions) — with podcasts and handouts available online.

• Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) — Sundays during the school year, 9:30–10:30 AM
• Adult Education — twice a year (call the parish for upcoming sessions)
• Rule for Life Class with Father Miron (see Events Calendar for dates)
• Saint Peter of Damaskos — '298 Passions' examination-of-conscience handout

Parish Ministries and Community Life

Beyond the liturgy, the parish sustains a rich community life: a Ladies' Guild, youth ministry, regular Coffee & Donut Socials, Mothers' and Fathers' Day celebrations, the summer Parish Family Picnic, the June Feast Day celebration, and the annual St. Nicholas Day Dinner. A dedicated team of parishioners prepares and serves food through the St. Vincent de Paul Meals Program two or three times a month, delivering over a hundred meals each time.

• Ladies' Guild
• Youth Ministry
• Coffee & Donut Socials (held regularly)
• Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day celebrations (annual)
• Annual Parish Family Picnic
• Parish Feast Day celebration (June)
• St. Nicholas Day Dinner (annual)
• St. Vincent de Paul Meals Program — 100+ meals served two to three times a month

Cemetery

The parish maintains the Saints Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Cemetery on Hewitt Gifford Road SW (County Road 84), Warren, OH 44481. Land for the cemetery was acquired during Father John Stim's pastorate (1935–1945). Donations in lieu of flowers are often directed to the cemetery fund, which is administered from the parish address at 180 Belvedere Avenue NE.

• Saints Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Cemetery — Hewitt Gifford Road SW (County Road 84), Warren, OH 44481
• Cemetery land acquired during Father John Stim's tenure (1935–1945)
• Memorial contributions can be made to the cemetery fund

Resources and Online Tools

The parish points parishioners and visitors to a number of online resources for prayer and study: the Byzantine Catholic Companion App, a Spiritual Thought Leaders podcast, Father Miron's Rule for Life class podcasts (such as the talk on the Jesus Prayer), an Icon Kiosk Store and Lending Library, and curated Catholic websites from around the world. Retreats are also offered, including recent Byzantine-themed parish retreats with guest lecturers.

• Byzantine Catholic Companion App
• Spiritual Thought Leaders Podcasts
• Rule for Life Class Podcast (with Father Miron) — e.g., 'The Jesus Prayer'
• Icon Kiosk Store & Lending Library
• Parish Retreats (Byzantine-themed, with guest lecturers)
• Catholic-related websites curated by the parish

Getting Involved and Contact

Parishioners and newcomers are warmly invited to register as parish members, attend the Divine Liturgy, and share in the stewardship of time, treasure, and talent that supports the mission and ministries of Saints Peter & Paul. The parish rectory is reached at (330) 372-1875; Lisa Mosko is in the office Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and Father Miron is available by appointment at other times.

• Parish Membership — register through the Pastor to receive contribution envelopes and become part of the stewardship of the parish.
• Rectory phone: (330) 372-1875
• Office hours (Lisa Mosko): Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM
• Father Miron: by appointment
• Address: 180 Belvedere Avenue NE, Warren, OH 44483