PITTSTON — Three guest speakers, members of the Eastern Chapter of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, will be featured at an historical program at St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, North Main Street, Pittston.

The speakers are Rich Custer, Dr. Michele Parvensky, and Dr. Peter Yasenchak. Topics will cover everything from the immigrants’ journey from their homeland to America, the land they left behind, the traditions they brought with them to their new home, the wooden churches of the Carpathian region, and the interrelatedness of their church, work, and home life.

The Carpatho-Rusyn Society is an organization headquartered in Munhall, near Pittsburgh; it has chapters throughout the United States and Europe.

St. Michael’s is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Most of the early parishioners were immigrants from the Carpathian region. Looking at a present-day map, the region stretches from eastern Slovakia through Western Ukraine. St. Michael’s is a Catholic church with a Rusyn or Ruthenian heritage. St. Michael’s also shares liturgical forms and many other traditions that can often be seen in Russian Orthodox churches. There are historical reasons for the similarities. Finally, many individuals may have great-grandparents or grandparents who were Rusyn and these descendants may not be familiar with their own ancestry.

Related Video

The program is free of charge. It starts at 9 a.m. with opening remarks at 9:15 a.m., followed by the first two presentations (Dr. Parvensky and Rich Custer). Following a short lunch break in the church hall, participants will be invited on a tour of St. Michael’s. Afterwards, the final presentation (Dr. Yasenchak) and time for discussion will be held, with the program close at approximately 3 p.m. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. Registration is for planning and set-up purposes to better accommodate all who wish to attend.

A variety of information handouts will be available, along with items that can be purchased.

Register by phone at 570-654-4564 or at stmichaelsbcc@outlook.com and include the word “register” in the message or subject line. List your name, number attending and a contact phone number.

Pictured are some of the members of St. Michael’s 100th Anniversary Historical Committee. From left, Judy Smith, Mary Anne Fedor, John Dziak and Joe Cigan. Also present, taking photo, Felix Zelenowski.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_St-Michaels-Historical.jpg.optimal.jpgPictured are some of the members of St. Michael’s 100th Anniversary Historical Committee. From left, Judy Smith, Mary Anne Fedor, John Dziak and Joe Cigan. Also present, taking photo, Felix Zelenowski. Submitted photo

For Sunday Dispatch

Information provided by St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church.