Speakers, from left to right: Rich Custer, Dr. Michele Parvensky, and Dr. Peter Yasenchak

Program held at St. Michaels in celebration of 100 years

The steady morning rain on Saturday, October 3^rd did not stop those wishing to learn about their ancestry from attending a very special program hosted by St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 205 N. Main Street, Pittston.   In fact, quite a few participants made the journey from neighboring states in spite of the weather, including from New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and even Florida.   Many came from other parts of Pennsylvania for the program that was held 9 am to 3 pm in the church hall.

Entitled “Celebrating the Present/Understanding the Past”, three speakers were featured. They were sponsored by the Eastern Pa Chapter of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society: Rich Custer, Dr. Michele Parvensky, and Dr. Peter Yasenchak. All three captivated those in attendance with their expertise of Carpatho-Rusyn history. But they also entertained with their lively presentations.

While most people with an immigrant past connect their historical ethnicity to a specific country of origin, those with Rusyn ancestry have difficulty doing the same. This is because there is no single country in Europe that Rusyns can call their own. Rather than a country, people with Rusyn roots must point to a region that stretches from eastern Slovakia to Western Ukraine and to parts of Poland.

Over the centuries, the boundaries and borders of ruling governments changed, giving rise to further confusion when these immigrants were asked to identify themselves upon arrival in America. Some may have identified themselves as Hungarian, others as Slovak, and others as Polish or Ukrainian — all countries that occupied the places where Rusyns lived. This region of Europe is often referred to as Transcarpathia, and the people who came to America numbered quite significantly in the eastern United States.

Most settled in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and in sections of New Jersey and Connecticut. The coal industry in our area was one of the reasons many chose to emigrate – with the goal to work hard to start a new life. The earliest wave arriving in the U.S. settled in the southern coal fields, while later waves of immigrants made the northern coal field their home.

The Rusyn people who came mainly between 1880 and 1920, had traditions and religious practices different from immigrants already present in the U.S.   Because of this, the Rusyn immigrants started their own social groups and built their own churches, known originally as Greek Catholic Churches (now called Byzantine Catholic). However, they were not Greek. To add to the challenges already facing them, acceptance by others — of their different customs in American society at the turn of the 20^th century — was not always easy to achieve. In some cases, it resulted in alienation and disagreements with established institutions. As a result, many Rusyns found it easier to assimilate into other ethnic or religious groups. The first generations that followed, unless informed about their own family history, would have little to no knowledge of their actual ethnic history.

Today, many people of all ages are researching their genealogy and are now learning about their Rusyn ancestry. There are many resources online and elsewhere.   By hosting this program, St. Michaels is helping those with an interest to explore and learn about the families who settled in Greater Pittston and their own family history.

One portion of a display of wooden church photographs from the collection of Dr. Michele Parvensky

The presentations on October 3^rd contained a wealth of information.   Dr. Michele Parvensky, author/researcher, traveled extensively throughout Slovakia and Ukraine in search of all historic wooden churches throughout the area. The churches are crafted from logs and often without nails, and the interiors are decorated in traditional regional styles, very humble in appearance but rich in antiquity.  One unique practice is that if one church was no longer needed in a village, the entire church could be disassembled and moved to a different village where it was needed. However most of the churches now are considered historic and are protected. Dr. Parvensky’s slide lecture featured contemporary rural Slovakia, with farming methods in use today that have hardly changed from the past. Her hundreds of photos of the churches were also on display.

Rich Custer, one of the speakers from Washington, DC, is an author/historian researching Rusyn history in Pennsylvania for a future book, decades in the making. His review of the villages in the Carpatho-Rus region and listing of the surnames of immigrant families to St Michaels was impressive. He pointed to villages on a map and read off the family names of parishioners who originated from that village. He even linked the stained glass windows in St. Michaels to the villages of immigrants who donated them, as the inscription on each window memorializes that information.

Rich Custer presents a detailed talk on the history of immigrants to the Greater Pittston area, reading off the surnames originating from specific villages in the transcarpathian region.

Finally, Dr. Peter Yasenchak described details of life in his immigrant family beginning with their journey to the ships that brought them to America to adjusting to life in the new country.   His visual descriptions virtually mirrored what most Rusyn immigrants experienced.   Using humor and a story-telling style, Dr. Yasenchak proved that history could be both informative and entertaining as he had his audience laughing frequently.  He also gave an overview of the architecture, art and music in a Byzantine style church during the tour portion of the program.

Overall, everyone in attendance left pleased that they had gained some new insight. And St. Michael’s team of volunteers combined their talents in every way possible to ensure a successful event: from pre-event set-up to the food team’s homemade baked goods to serving guests a delicious light lunch. As one attendee stated: “Your folks outdid themselves on this one! Your church is just beautiful, and I hope it lasts another hundred years and more. I truly enjoyed the program and learned some new things today.”

Information about Carpatho-Rusyn history can be found at: http://www.carpathorusynsociety.org and also: http://rusynsofpa.blogspot.com

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Dr. Michele Parvensky begins with description of travel in Slovakia and Ukraine prior to photo review.

Sharon Jarrow of the C-RS group serves as emcee for the program.

Rich Custer fields questions from a line of inquisitive attendees.

Sharon Jarrow explains and shows books and other materials for sale.

Participants search for villages of origin on one of the map displays showing Transcarpathian territory.

Dr. Peter Yasenchak describes the order of the Liturgy during a chance for participants to tour St. Michael’s church.

Homemade baked goods made by St. Michael’s “food team” were a popular item along with hot coffee to start off the day’s events.

Article and photography by Mary Anne Fedor, a life-long member of St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston

St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church is hosting a historical program on Saturday, October 3, 2015, no registration fee to attend.  Three guest speakers, members of the Eastern Pa. Chapter of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society will be featured.

They are: Rich Custer, Dr. Michele Parvensky, and Dr. Peter Yasenchak.   See their biographies and topics listed below.   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 100^th 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.

People often mistakenly refer to St. Michael’s as “the Russian Church”.   However that is very misguided because St. Michaels is actually a Catholic church with a Rusyn or Ruthenian heritage.

The confusion arises because Rusyn and Russian sound similar.   St Michaels 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.

The goal of the program is informational.   If you are interested in learning about this group of immigrants, their journey to America, and their lives in Wyoming Valley 100 years ago, remember to mark the date on your calendar.   The speakers will discuss each area of their expertise.

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 inter-relatedness of their church, work, and home life.

Speakers of Interest to Genealogists

The entire program will be of special interest to people doing genealogy research and exploring local history.

This is a “not-to-miss” event for at least several reasons. First, the program is free of charge.   We request that you register as a courtesy, but it is not required. Registration directions are listed below.   Secondly, the line-up of knowledgeable speakers is certain to interest many. And additionally, St. Michael’s is providing participants an opportunity to tour the church and learn more about its beautiful Byzantine features. All the icons in the church were created by Father Theodore Koufos and his associates from Toronto, Canada.

Program Schedule

The program starts at 9 am; opening remarks at 915 a.m., followed by the first two presentations (Dr. Parvensky and Rich Custer).   Following a short lunch break (available in the church hall), participants will be invited on a tour of St. Michaels.

Afterwards, the final presentation (Dr. Yasenchak) and time for discussion will be held, with the program close at approximately 3 pm.

Courtesy Registration Requested

Pre-registration is suggested as mentioned earlier.   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.   There is ample parking.   The church is located at 205 N. Main Street, Pittston, Pa.

About Our Speakers

Dr. Michele Parvensky

Dr. Parvensky will be talking about “the old country” with a focus on its people, land, and the unique churches of the Carpathian region. Dr. Parvensky has been visiting the Rusyn homeland since 1997. She has done extensive study on the style of churches in Slovakia simply known as “wooden churches” with their stylized domes and hard carved embellishments.   Her focus has been on photographing the wooden churches. Her interest in them was piqued by an article in a GCU (Greek Catholic Union) magazine. Although the GCU article stated that there were only 150 churches, this figure was proven to be incorrect. She is familiar with her Rusyn heritage due to it being ingrained by her father and relatives. Her father was the cantor and choir director of St. John’s Church in Pottstown.

Rich Custer

Rich Custer will focus on a presentation entitled: “The Greater Pittston Area and St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church: A Carpatho-Rusyn Immigrant Hub of the Wyoming Valley”. Richard Custer is a founder of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society (C-RS) and has served as editor of its newsletter, The New Rusyn Times, since 1994. Also for the C-RS he compiled and edited the Rusyn-American Almanac of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society 2004-2005. His articles on Rusyn genealogy, history, culture, and language have appeared in numerous publications and he has presented on the topic of Rusyn American history at more than a dozen regional genealogical and Carpatho-Rusyn conferences.

Since the late 1980s, he has been engaged in research, photography, and collecting historical written and photographic materials for what is now planned as a lavishly illustrated book of the history of the Carpatho-Rusyn immigrant communities in Pennsylvania. Follow the progress of the project on his blog, “The Carpatho-Rusyns of Pennsylvania,” rusynsofpa.blogspot.com.

Rich will talk about the first local immigrants, the villages they came from, and where they settled around the Greater Pittston area.   Carpatho-Rusyns left behind their homes in small villages in the Carpathian Mountains of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.   Like other fellow central European immigrants, they were drawn to employment opportunities in the anthracite coal industry. Rich will discuss how the immigrants needed ample spiritual and material support of fellow Rusyns, thereby founding churches, fraternal societies and businesses.

Rich Custer’s website/blogsite is: http://rusynsofpa.blogspot.com

Dr. Peter Yansenchak

Dr. Yasenchak will discuss “The richness of our coalfields and our ancestors who toiled in them.”   Dr. Peter Yasenchak, a longtime resident of Pottsville, hailing from the coal regions of Kingston, PA has promoted the Rusyn culture throughout his life. He has been well known in the Pottsville area as the Executive Director of the Historical Society of Schuylkill County. Dr. Peter Yasenchak was a contributor to the book, “Images of America; The Anthracite Coal Regions Slavic Community”.  He served as the first President of the newly formed Eastern PA Chapter of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society. He remains active in the chapter as First Vice President.

Additional Information Available:

Research blog site by Rich Custer      Carpatho-Rusyns of Pennsylvania

Carpatho-Rusyn Society website:   www.c-rs.org

St. Michael’s 100th Anniversary Facebook page: www.facebook.com/stmichaels100/timeline (viewable by non-Facebook users)

For questions on the topics, feel free to contact: shangp@rcn.com  or phone 610-759-2628

Celebrating our 100th Anniversary is a special moment in time for those of us fortunate enough to witness it.   In 1990 our church was rededicated for it’s 75th anniversary.   And while that doesn’t seem that long ago, consider the changes in our society and world that have occurred during the last twenty-five years.   Consider the changes that occurred in your life in those same years.

If you can dare to imagine what life was like back in time, consider the hardships and sacrifices made by the founders of our church and those parishioners who worshiped here during the early years.   Truly their dedication and foresight in establishing a parish is why we are able to worship in freedom here today.

We face many different challenges today than our grandparents of years past did.  And while we are blessed with all kinds of modern conveniences, technology and information, perhaps our challenges today have less to do with the basics of survival, than our survival as Christians faithful to the values of our parents, grandparents, and to our church.    During this year of our celebration, let us all take a moment to say a prayer for those who came before us, who paved the way with their time and labor.   And let us promise to grow in our personal faith by seeking opportunities to expand our knowledge through many available opportunities, including those in our own church; and most importantly, to grow closer to God.

This is why we celebrate.  This is why we worship together.

Please click on the Virtual Tour tab to see photos of St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church