About Transfiguration of Our Lord [Ukrainian] · Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church is a Byzantine-rite Eastern Catholic parish serving the Hanover Section of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Wyoming Valley's historic Ukrainian immigrant community. Founded in 1912 by Lemko and Peremyshl-region immigrants who settled the area between 1880 and 1914 to work in the coal mines and factories, the parish is one of more than 100 years old and worships in full communion with the Bishop of Rome while following the Ukrainian-Byzantine liturgical calendar. It belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and is currently pastored by Rev. Fr. Walter Pasicznyk. The parish celebrates the Divine Liturgy in English (with the Byzantine liturgical tradition), maintains a robust Holy Year Choir that has served the community for over four decades, and remains a center of Ukrainian Catholic identity in Luzerne County.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- The Transfiguration of Our Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Walter Pasicznyk
- Diocese
- Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia (Metropolitan-Archbishop: Most Reverend Borys Gudziak)
Why belong here
Transfiguration of Our Lord is one of the oldest continuously active Ukrainian Catholic parishes in the Wyoming Valley, where four generations of Lemko and Peremyshl-rooted families have worshipped since 1912. Visitors are welcomed into the Byzantine liturgical tradition celebrated in English, share in the music of the long-serving Holy Year Choir (40+ years under Dr. Richard Barno), and find a small, family-sized community rooted in both prayer and Ukrainian Catholic heritage. Roman Catholics may fulfill their Sunday and holy-day obligation here, and the parish remains an active witness to Eastern Catholic life in Luzerne County more than a century after its founding.
Mass times at Transfiguration of Our Lord [Ukrainian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Half an hour before each Divine Liturgy
Parish History
The Ukrainian community of the Hanover Section of Nanticoke was built by immigrants from the Lemkivshchyna and Peremyshl regions of Ukraine who arrived between 1880 and 1914 to work in the coal mines and factories of the Wyoming Valley. After years of attending Ukrainian churches in Alden, Glen Lyon, and Plymouth, about sixty families met at the home of Theodore Dolynsky in October 1909 to organize their own parish. They sent Tymko Storosko and Johann Paskiewicz to petition Bishop Soter Ortynsky in Philadelphia, who initially resisted but ultimately gave permission.
- 1898 — Saint Spasa United Greek Catholic Society of Rhone, Pennsylvania chartered (Nov 28)
- 1909 — First organizational parish meeting at Theodore Dolynsky's home
- 1911 — Lot on Grove Street (now Center Street) purchased from John and Maria Paskiewicz for $1,250
- September 1911 — Construction begins, carried out mostly by male parishioners
- August 1912 — Church completed at a cost of $5,467
- August 24, 1912 — Charter amended: 'Greek Catholic Ruthenian Church of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, Rhone, Pennsylvania'
- 1915 — Rev. John Voloshchuk becomes first resident pastor; 23-room frame rectory built for $16,000
- 1940 — Present rectory built for $7,000 under Rev. Michael Kuzmak
- 1941 — Planned new-church fund redirected to $10,000 in WWII defense bonds
- 1949 — Rev. Nicholas Fisanick begins major renovation program (aluminum siding)
- 1983 — $125,000 renovation under Rev. Myron Grabowsky; Holy Year Choir founded with Dr. Richard Barno
- 2011–2012 — Centennial year celebrated with monthly cultural and spiritual events culminating September 23, 2012
Who We Are: Eastern Catholics in Communion with Rome
Transfiguration of Our Lord is a Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish — an Eastern Catholic (Sui Juris) Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome. Parishioners share the same faith and the same seven sacraments as Roman Catholics but express that faith through the Byzantine liturgical, theological and spiritual tradition. The parish is part of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, headed by Metropolitan-Archbishop Most Reverend Borys Gudziak, and looks to Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych as Patriarch and Spiritual Shepherd. The parish follows the Ukrainian-Byzantine computation of the liturgical year on the Gregorian calendar.
- Sui Juris Eastern Catholic Church in communion with Pope Francis
- Part of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
- Metropolitan-Archbishop: Most Reverend Borys Gudziak
- Major Archbishop / Patriarch: His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk (Kyiv-Halych)
- Gregorian-calendar Ukrainian-Byzantine liturgical cycle (Christmas on December 25)
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently served by Rev. Fr. Walter Pasicznyk, who is also Administrator of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Plymouth. The Archeparchy's clergy directory lists him at 240 Center St, Nanticoke, with email [email protected]. The parish rectory can be reached at 570-735-2262 or [email protected].
- Rev. Fr. Walter Pasicznyk — Pastor (also Administrator, Ss. Peter and Paul, Plymouth)
- Rectory: 570-735-2262
- Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Holy Year Choir
The Holy Year Choir has been a signature ministry of Transfiguration of Our Lord for over forty years. Founded under the direction of Dr. Richard Barno, PhD, the choir sings the responses to the Divine Liturgy and presents seasonal concerts, including Holy Year Choir Christmas Music and Holy Year Choir Lenten Music. The choir is featured prominently on the parish's historical-photos page, which documents the alto section and other ensembles dating back decades, as well as more recent caroling events.
- Director: Dr. Richard Barno, PhD (40+ years)
- Sings the liturgical responses to the Divine Liturgy
- Presents Christmas and Lenten concerts
- Active for more than 40 years as of the parish's centennial
Sacraments and Pastoral Services
In addition to the regular celebration of the Divine Liturgy and Confession, the parish offers Baptism, blessings of homes (typically annually, by appointment), and other pastoral services arranged through the rectory. Roman Catholics are reminded that they may fulfill their Sunday and Sacramental obligation at Transfiguration because it is a Catholic church in full communion with Rome.
- Divine Liturgy (Sunday and holy-day obligation)
- Confession — half hour before each Liturgy
- Baptism — by appointment, with required preparation classes
- Blessing of homes — by appointment, traditionally annually
- Other pastoral services — by appointment through the rectory
Parish Heritage and Cultural Life
Transfiguration's identity is inseparable from its Lemko and Peremyshl immigrant roots, and the parish maintains a visible cultural life around that heritage. The Centennial year (2011–2012) showcased the parish's signature events — pysanky demonstrations, pie sales, a ladies' tea, a children's ice cream social, the 'Taste of the Parish' event, and the official Centennial Celebration. These traditions continue as part of parish life, alongside the Holy Year Choir concerts and ongoing historical documentation. The grounds also feature a refurbished grotto.
- Annual pysanky (Ukrainian Easter egg) demonstrations
- Pie sales, ladies' tea, children's ice cream social
- 'Taste of the Parish' community event
- Holy Year Choir Christmas and Lenten concerts
- Refurbished parish grotto
- Historical photos and videos archive on the parish website
Visiting and Contact
Transfiguration of Our Lord welcomes visitors and Roman Catholics wishing to fulfill their Sunday obligation in the Byzantine rite. The parish is located at 240 Center Street in the Hanover Section of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, and can be reached by phone or email. The official weekly bulletin, posted on the parish website, is the authoritative source for the current weekday Liturgy schedule and any pastoral announcements.
- Address: 240 Center Street, Hanover Section, Nanticoke, PA 18634
- Phone: 570-735-2262
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://transfigurationucc.org/
- Weekly bulletin posted online for current schedule and announcements
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anthony Lotowycz1912–c.1915
Priest from Alden who administered the newly created parish until a resident pastor was assigned.
- Rev. John Voloshchuk1915–1930
First resident pastor of the Hanover parish (1875–1930); oversaw construction of the 23-room frame rectory in 1915 ($16,000).
- Rev. Michael Kuzmakserved through 1940
Oversaw razing of the 1915 rectory in 1939 and construction of the present rectory in 1940 ($7,000), blessed July 2, 1940.
- Rev. Nicholas Fisanickfrom May 1949
Major renovation pastor; exterior of church covered with aluminum siding.
- Rev. Myron Grabowskythrough 1983
Carried out $125,000 of interior and basement renovations completed in 1983; founded the Holy Year Choir with Dr. Richard Barno.
- Father Romanserved until July 31, 2012
Departed just before the parish's centennial year celebrations concluded.
- Father Volodymyr PopykAugust 1, 2012
Arrived with his wife Nataliya, daughter Veronika, and son Maryan in time for the 2012 Centennial Celebration.
- Rev. Fr. Walter Pasicznykcurrent
Current pastor; also serves as Administrator of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Plymouth.