News

August 18, 2008

Heritage celebrated: Byzantine Catholics recall past

Byzantine Catholics recall past

JANINE UNGVARSKY Times Leader Correspondent

WILKES-BARRE -- Mary Ann Mehm stood in the rotunda of the Luzerne County Courthouse on Sunday, eyes fixed on old photographs flashing on a screen. She stared at black-and-white images of immigrants boarding boats, huddling together with their children, then cheering with arms held high at the sight of the Statue of Liberty.

“Oh my gosh,” Mehm whispered. “That’s what Grandma saw. That’s what it was like. Oh, I’ve got goose pimples!”

The PowerPoint presentation that moved Mehm was part of a celebration of the heritage of the eight Byzantine Catholic Churches in Luzerne County and the Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants who founded them.

Event organizer the Rev. Glenn Davidowich, pastor of St. Mary’s Protection in Kingston and St. John the Baptist in Wilkes-Barre Township, said it was a chance for today’s Byzantine Catholics to celebrate and remember the Eastern European immigrants who endured harsh and trying times.

“These people came here and earned a nickel a day, and they still gave one or even two cents of that to the church,” Davidowich said. “These glorious churches with the golden domes and beautiful three barred crosses were built with the pennies of hundreds of thousands of these immigrants.”

More than 200 people filled the rotunda and watched the slide show followed by a re-enactment of a solemn meatless and dairy-free Christmas Eve dinner and a portion of the Christmas church service. Bishop William Skurla, who Davidowich said oversees all Byzantine Churches on the entire eastern seaboard, took part in the ceremonies.

Those in attendance sampled traditional treats such as bobalki, a dough ball flavored with honey and poppy seed.

Bill Zdancewicz, a member of St. Mary’s in Kingston for all of his 77 years, stood near a table filled with traditional holiday dishes in his authentic outfit of embroidered loose white shirt and black vest and described the food. “This heritage is important,” Zdancewicz said. “We need to help our children carry on the traditions.”

The day also included a proclamation by county Commissioner Greg Skrepenak marking Sunday as Byzantine Catholic Day 2008 in the county.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this and recognize these people for their contribution not only to this county but to this country,” Skrepenak said. He also acknowledged his own church, St. Mary’s Byzantine Church, Wilkes-Barre, which celebrated its 100th anniversary Sunday.

The Rev. James Hayer, pastor of St. Mary’s, said it was unplanned but a “very happy coincidence, like God’s Providence,” that the two celebrations coincided. He said his congregation of 300 was celebrating the anniversary by re-gilding the church’s dome, renovating the church and adding new icons.

“The bishop came from New Jersey to bless the icons,” said Hayer. He said being pastor of the church at this time “feels like being part of history.”

“The fact that it commemorates so many years of faith and sacrifice is astounding,” Hayer said. “It’s humbling to be part of this.”

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