Location: Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Franciscan Shrine in Youngstown, Ohio (Host and Director of the Shrine: Fr. Vit Fiala, OFM).
"Commissioned Icons of Our Lady of Lourdes and Salus Populi Romani for the Knights of Columbus Immaculata Council 15089" by Beri Berardi
Location: Basilica of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Youngstown, Ohio (Prayer Leader and Host: Deacon Mark Izzo).
“Q: Are we Catholic or Orthodox? A: It all depends on what army is in town.” By Jackie Figel President, SSJC National Chapter (Zoom Host: Presbytera Kathy Kolitsos)
Location and Hostesses: The Coptic Nuns of St. Mary and St. John the Beloved Coptic Orthodox Monastery in Warren, Ohio.
Location: St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sharon, Pennsylvania.
by The Very Rev. Dr. Bryan Eyman, (Interviewed by Dr. Richard Mattiussi).
Location: Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio (Host Pastor: Fr. Bosko Stojanovic).
Location: Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio (Host Pastor: Fr. Bosko Stojanovic).
December 28, 2023
Christmas Party, Special Recognitions and Awards Ceremony
MCs: Lori Demiduk, OFS, Dr. Richard Mattiussi & Fr. Dan Rohan
Special Recognition Recipients:
The Kolitsos Family
The Carcedi Family
Kenneth Stanislaw
The Fr. Thomas Hopko Award Recipient:
Raymond Nakley Jr.
Location: St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church in Youngstown, Ohio (Host Pastor: Fr. Tony Massad)
*Please go to the EVENTS link in our SSJC (Y-W) Chp. website to watch the Video and for the stories and details concerning the Special Recognitions and Awards.
THE SOCIETY OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ANNUAL TRUSTEES ELECTION, CHRISTMAS PARTY & SPECIAL AWARD CEREMONY
In July of 2019, the Youngstown-Warren Chapter of the Society of St. John Chrysostom established three awards to recognize the dedication, contributions, and service of those working for Christian Unity: the Chapter Service Award for outstanding support of the activities and programs of the local chapter; the Fr. Thomas Hopko Award for great achievement in the field of Christian education, scholarship, and catachesis and the chapter's highest award, The Vito R. Carchedi and Fr. Andrew Kolitsos Memorial Award. This award is bestowed only upon those whose contributions and services are "profound and unique" in furthering the cause of Christian Unity.
The meeting of two bishops east and west: Addressing contemporary issues of mutual concern
Bishop David Bonnar Diocese of Youngstown | Metropolitan Savas Zembillas Greek Orthodox Pittsburgh
“Update on the Progress of The International Orthodox - Catholic Dialogue”
By Msgr. Paul McPartlan, S.T.L., D. Phil.
Carl J. Peter Professor of Systematic Theology and Ecumenism at Catholic University of America
Msgr. Paul McPartlan is a member of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
“Orthodox-Catholic Ecumenism” By Father Radu Bordeianu, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Theology
Father Radu, an Orthodox Priest and Theology Professor at Duquesne University, is a world expert on Orthodox-Catholic ecumenism. He will be sharing with us his latest research, and encouraging us to take the narrow gate as we strive for unity.
Location:
Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church Hall 54 Laird Ave Youngstown, Ohio 44509
Father Bosko Stojanovic - Pastor
“Traps of the Enemy Now Celebrated in Our Culture” By Adam Blai
(Religious Demonologist, Diocese of Pittsburgh)
Adam Blai, a layman, is a peritus (Church-decreed expert) in religious demonology and exorcism for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He is not an exorcist. Nevertheless, he belongs to the International Association of Exorcists and serves as an expert in training priests, deacons, and laity in many other dioceses.
And Unto the Ages of Ages: The Western and Eastern Churches in Art
we traverse through the ages and explore the rich heritage of the Church via iconography, paintings, altar pieces, and more!
THE WAR IN UKRAINE
Sunday Lenten Vespers, Presentation and Lenten Dinner. Fr. Bosko Stojanovic, pastor
Agenda: Future programs and topics, Secretary's report, Treasurer's report, Necrology, Officers stay the same for 2021, plans to commemorate 20th anniversary.
"The Maronite Church: Witness to the Ancient Traditions of the Churches of Antioch and Edessa"
*Date, Time, Summary
*EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, January 10, 2020, 4pm, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
*Thursday, January 30, 2020, 6:30pm, Regular Meeting, Antonine Village, Assisted Living Facility, Thursday evening Prayer of the Epiphany Season, Food - Lebanese hors d'oeuvres, tour of the facility.
*Saturday, March 21, 2020, Morning reflection on the Jesus Prayer, Father Rogich, postponed due to Covid - 19 virus and Governor of Ohio’s restrictions on large group meetings.
*Sunday, April 26, 2020 - SSJC (Y-W) Chapter Twentieth Anniversary Banquet postponed until further notice due to Covid - 19 virus and Governor DeWine’s restrictions on large group meetings.
*During the months of March - May, the Executive Board and members of the local Chapter have been communicating by phone, text, emails, etc. We hope to plan some events for the Summer and Fall of 2020???
Unfortunately due to the Pandemic, our SSJC (Y-W) Chapter had to postpone and cancel most of our events in 2020. Hopefully 2021 will be better! We are planning new events (on Zoom and hopefully in person)!!!
November 10, 2020 - "The Books of Maccabees and the Historyof the Hasmonean Conflict" on Zoom by Dr. Malka Simkovich. 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Sponsored and hosted (via Zoom) by Thomas Batten.
*The Executive Board has been periodically meeting via Zoom throughout 2020 into 2021. Hosted (via Zoom) by Thomas Batten.
*Date, Time, Summary
*Thursday, January 10, 2019, 4pm, Executive Committee Meeting, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 2220 N. Walnut Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503
*Monday, February 18, 2019, 3pm, Executive Board Meeting, St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church, 1555 S. Meridian Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44511
*March – April 2019 (LENTEN PRAYER SERVICES):
1) Sunday, March 17, 5pm at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church (OCA) in Campbell
- Sunday Lenten Vespers, Presentation and Lenten Dinner
2) Sunday, March 24, 5pm at St. Mark Antiochian Orthodox Church in Liberty
- Sunday Lenten Vespers, Presentation and Lenten Dinner
3) Friday, March 29, 6pm at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon (Maronite) in North Jackson
- Fish Dinner at 4:30pm and Benediction of the Cross in the church at 6pm.
4) Friday, April 5, 7pm at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church (Roman Catholic) in Youngstown
-Fish Dinner at 5:30pm and Stations of the Cross in Spanish in the church at 7pm.
5) Sunday, April 7, 6pm at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown
- Sunday Lenten Vespers, Presentation and Lenten Dinner
6) Friday, April 12, 7pm at St. Maron Catholic Church (Maronite) in Youngstown
-Fish Dinner at 5:30pm and Benediction of the Cross in the church at 7pm
*Monday, April 29, 2019, 7pm, Pittsburgh Chapter - Orthodox Reunification in Ukraine, Presenter: Rev Fr Mark Swindle, St. Anthony Chapel, 1704 Harpster St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
*Wednesday, May 8, 2019, Executive Board Meeting, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 220 North Walnut Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503
*Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 6:30pm-9pm, Regular Meeting, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 220 North Walnut Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503, Food and drink, Guest Speaker Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Topic: Historical review of the seven Ecumenical Councils.
*Monday, June 24, 2019, 7pm, "Finding the Trinity in the Old Testament," Fr. David Andrew Fisher, S.T.B, S.T.L, Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church, 1555 South Meridian Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44511
*Thursday, October 3, 2019, 6pm, "Lives of the Priests' Wives', Moderator: Presbytera Melanie DiStefano at Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica and National Shrine in North Jackson, Ohio
*Wednesday, October 30, 2019, 7pm, Joint Orthodox / Catholic Statement on Vocation & Mission of the People of God, Father Dr. Stelyios S. Muksuris, MLitt, PhD, ThD, SS Cyril & Methodius Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15214
*Saturday, November 30, 2019, 10:30am-12noon, "The Major Challenge of Fewer Priests in the Catholic Church: Moderate to Bold Proposals for the Future!", Richard A. Mattiussi, Ph.D., St. Maron Church Library, 1555 S Meridian Rd.
*Friday, December 13, 2019, 6-9pm, How the interplay of Politics and Religion Define Current Ukrainian Culture and Society, SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave. Youngstown, OH 44409, Presenter: Mr. Greg Ulrich and Fr. Ivan Tchopko. Food: Pierogies and Smoked fishes, Borscht and Ukrainian Bread
*Friday, December 27, 2019, 5-10pm, Christmas Party, Special election meeting and annual celebration of the Incarnation of the Word, Saint Maronite Church, 1555 South Meridian Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44511, Special musical guest Liz Rubino, Lori Demiduk's daughter
Tuesday, January 30 SSJC (Y-W) meeting at the Franciscan Shrine of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted in Youngstown. The topic was “The Franciscans and the East†and speakers were Fr. Vit Fiala, OFM and Lori Demiduk, OFS. They both gave great talks! Fr. Vit led us in Evening Prayer and served us some very delicious homemade soup on a very cold evening. Maybe he will share the recipe?! Franciscan hospitality is always a gift from God. Thank you!
Sunday, March 11 Both Rich Mattiussi and Ray Nakley represented our local chapter by being invited by the Majetich family to attend Great Lenten Vespers at their church. We enjoyed a delicious Lenten Dinner and heard a presentation by Fr. Aleksa Pavichevich on “Great Lent and Fasting†at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown. We made contact with the pastor, Fr. Bosko Stojanovic, who was most gracious to host our SSJC (Y-W) Chapter for Meeting on May 8! Thank you for your hospitality!
Sunday, March 25 Great Lenten Vespers and Dinner at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown. Several of our members attended a very beautiful prayer service, an excellent reflection by Presbytera Melanie on the Annunciation, generous hospitality, and great fellowship. Thank you Fr. DiStefano, Presbytera, Socrates Kolitsos, and parishioners of St. Nicholas!
Monday, April 30 SSJC (Pittsburgh) Spring 2018 Event at 7:00 pm at St. Anthony Chapel located at 1704 Harpster St., Pittsburgh, PA. St. Anthony’s chapel on Pittsburgh’s north side is home to thousands of relics of the saints and has been designated a Historical Landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. This is the perfect venue to discuss the common heritage of the saints and their relics in both the eastern and western church with presentations from both the perspectives with discussion and questions encouraged. Western devotion to the saints and their relics spread in the Roman Catholic community. The extensive collection at this Pittsburgh landmark provides both the example and the spiritual and prayer focus of these practices. The eastern churches also devoted to the examples of the saints have used relics in liturgical practice like the Antimension in Byzantine Liturgy and seen them as sources of miracles throughout the ages. The Society of St. John Chrysostom promotes understanding of Eastern Christian Churches and promotes Christian unity of east and west while providing material support to Eastern Christian churches. SSJC (Pittsburgh) events have three main sections lasting two hours: • Opening Prayer Service: Vespers • Main Topic Presentation and Discussion • SSJC Business and Discussion on Next Steps, Operations, and Future Events Feel free to email suggestions to Steve Puluka (steve@puluka.com) or volunteer to help with the spring 2018 event or with planning the next event. More information on St. Anthony’s Chapel Relic Collection can be found online at: saintanthonychapel.org/relics-2 More information about the SSJC Pittsburgh Chapter can be found online at:puluka.com/home/society-of-saint-john-chrysostom-pittsburgh
Tuesday, May 8 SSJC (Y-W) meeting at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown. The host pastor is Fr. Bosko Stojanovic who gave a brief tour of the church along with Fr. Sava from the neighboring Serbian Church in Austintown. A brief Business meetingfollowed with some refreshments and Fr Bosko spoke on the topic of “St. Sava and the Serbian Orthodox Churchâ€. Q &A sessionfollowed.
Monday, June 4 SSJC (Pittsburgh) meeting at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh. A number of members from the SSJC (Y-W) Chapter attendended this meeting. A Prayer service in the Chapel was led by our very own Fr. Dan Rohan, SSJC (Y-W) Chapter President. Fr. David Fisher (Maronite) spoke on the topics of “Comparing and Contrasting Purgatory of the Latin/Roman Tradition with the Eastern Tradition of Final Theosis†and “Pneumatology (Theology of the Holy Spirit) in the Liturgical Theology and Practice of Catholicism and Orthodoxyâ€. Q & A followed with an in-depth discussion! Thank you to SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary Staff and Steve Puluka for hosting this meeting.
Tuesday, June 5 SSJC (Y-W) meeting at St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church in Youngstown. A Prayer Service in the Maronite Tradition was led by Chorbishop Spinosa in the church. Fr. David Fisher (Maronite) spoke on the topics of “The History of the Filioque Problem†and “How Western Scholasticism Changed the Theological and Philosophical Approach Inherited from the Fathers of the Church.†Host Pastor: Chorbishop Kail. Excellent Mediteranean Food was provided to all participants. The meeting lasted way past 10pm and people stuck around! THANK YOU Fr. Fisher for spending so much time with us and Chorbishop Kail for all your hospitality !
Summer Executive Committee Meetings Friday, June 29 (Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul) at St. Maron’s Maronite Catholic Church, 2:30-4:30 pm. Friday, July 27 at St. Mark’s Antiochian Orthodox Church, 2:30-4:30 pm Friday, August 24 at St. Mark’s Antiochian Orthodox Church, 3:30-5:00 pm *After each meeting, the Executive Committee and Members were invited to go to the weekly Friday Fish Dinner served at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church on the west side of Youngstown for a social and discussion. Great food and conversations!
Sunday, September 30, 2018. A Moderated Panel discussion under the direction of Dr. Richard Mattiussi took place at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Youngstown. Students from Cardinal Mooney, YSU and other schools and churches took part in a delightful discussion on the following theme: “Young People and the Church Today: To be or not to be involved? Why? Why not? A lively discussion continued to around 9:20 pm! Thank you Fr. Joe DiStrafno, (host pastor) for your prayers and wholehearted support, Presbytera Melanie, Socrates Kolitsos and parishoners for the delicious food and hospitality!
Tuesday, November 13, 2018 (Feast of St. John Chrysostom – eastern calendar) Fr. Ken Bachofsky was kind enough to contact Mother Marina at St. Mary and St. John the Beloved Coptic Orthodox Monastery for Nuns in Warren, Ohio for a general SSJC (Y-W) Meeting. We were kindly greeted by Mother Marina and the other nuns as we entered the monastery for a brief prayer service in the chapel led by Fr. Mina Essak. Then we assembled in the community room for a Power Point Presentation on “The Holy Family and the Flight into Egypt†by Fr. Essak. After the presentation a Q & A period followed. We had a very brief Business Meeting, comments from some of our members, and then refreshments. Thank you Mother Marina and the other nuns for hosting us!
Saturday, December 8, 2018. SSJC Pittsburgh meeting at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh. 10 AM – 12 N. Fr. Radu Bordeianu, Ph.D. will speak on "Spiritual Fatherhood and Parish Ministries."
Friday, December 28, 2018. SSJC (Y-W) Chapter Elections, Brief Business Meeting and CHRISTMAS SOCIAL!