|
|
Holy
Spirit
| Address:
4815
Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Contact Information:
Telephone:
412-687-1220
FAX: 412-687-1520
Email: N/A
Website Address: N/A
Pastor: Msgr.Russell
A. Duker
Liturgy
Schedule:
N/A
|
|
During
the first decade of the twentieth century, immigrants from Carpatho-Ruthenia,
a small portion of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire, began to
settle in the Oakland section of the City of Pittsburgh. Leaving
their Carpathian homeland in Central Europe, these pioneer Ruthenian
immigrants were lured to Pittsburgh’s emerging steel mills
by the promise of economic advancement.
Encouraged by Father John M. Szabo, they formed a committee in
June of 1907 to discuss organizing a parish. Within one week,
a vacant church building was obtained on the corner of Bates and
Atwood Streets. The parish was named in honor of the Most Holy
Spirit, and Father Szabo celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in
this new House of God.
In January of 1908, the Reverend Dr. Theodosius M. Vasochik, who
had received a Doctoral Degree in Sacred Theology from the University
of Budapest, became the pastor of Holy Spirit Church. He served
the parish for 43 years until his death in September of 1950.
In July of 1952, Bishop Daniel Ivancho assigned Father Michael
Hrebin as pastor, and under his guidance, property was purchased
on Fifth Avenue for a new parochial edifice. Then in 1959, Father
John M. Volosin was appointed pastor, and ground was broken on
October 23, 1960 for the new parish complex. The present edifice
was dedicated by Bishop Nicholas T. Elko on May 6, 1962.
In March of 1970, Metropolitan Archbishop Stephen J. Kocisko assigned
Monsignor John M. Macko to tend the parish. He served until his
retirement in August 1992. During his twenty-two year tenure,
the present rectory was constructed, and funds were amassed to
provide for the parish’s future financial welfare.
On June 15, 1995, Metropolitan Archbishop Judson M. Procyk called
upon Monsignor Russell A. Duker to assume the pastorate. He serves
as the eleventh pastor of Holy Spirit Parish.
Inasmuch as Holy Spirit Church is located in the academic and
medical centers of the City of Pittsburgh, and because of its
large seating capacity, the church has served as the site of many
archieparchial events. They include Ordinations to the Sacred
Priesthood, the Solemn Investiture of Papal Honorees, the Installation
of Bishop Stephen J. Kocisko as the fourth Bishop of Pittsburgh,
the Installation of Archbishop Stephen J. Kocisko as the first
Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh, the episcopal ordination
of Bishop John M. Bilock as the second Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh,
the Fortieth and Fiftieth Jubilee Celebrations for Archbishop
Stephen J. Kocisko, and the funeral of Metropolitan Archbishop
Thomas V. Dolinay.
Throughout these more than nine decades of parish life, Holy Spirit
Church has administered faithfully to the spiritual needs of the
Byzantine Catholic people in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.
This vibrant patrimony now is bequeathed to the next generation
as we look to the third millennium. |
|
|
|
The
Official Website of the
Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
66 Riverview Avenue • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214
Telephone: 412-231-4000 | Fax: 412-231-1697
 |
The
Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Website is an Official Publication
of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. ©
2003, Office of Communications. Neither any part of this site
nor its content may be reproduced, transmitted, copied, or
used in any way without the expressed permission of the Archeparchy
of Pittsburgh Office of Communications. This site may be linked
freely.
|
|
