Woman tells of life as wife of a priest

Love and acceptance were the themes that brought together people of many faiths.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR

LIBERTY — A hallmark of the Interfaith Tea is sharing insight and information.

The 63rd gathering, hosted by Eastern Orthodox Women’s Society, remained true to this signature style as Dorothy Hutnyan provided an inside look into her life as the wife of an Orthodox priest.

The speaker addressed a group of about 175, mostly women, during the Church Women United event Tuesday afternoon with the theme, “Let us love one another.” The tea was at St. Mark’s Orthodox Church, 3560 Logan Way.

“I came to Youngstown as a young bride of a new priest,” Hutnyan told the audience of various faith denominations. “This year is 53 years of marriage, and we’re at the same parish,” she said.

Her husband, the Rev. George Hutnyan, is pastor of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church, 125 Steel St., Youngstown. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.

Hutnyan’s topic, “A Woman Called Pani,” refers to the title given the wife of an Orthodox priest. She pointed out the challenging positions has pros and cons.

“A pani in Europe is held in high esteem, almost like nobility,” she said. “She did not work outside of the home, didn’t go to college or have a career,” Hutnyan said. “She spends her time at the rectory and is a member of an elite, tight-knit circle of other panis.”

Hutynan said when she came to St. Michael’s, she wanted to help out at the church. But older members told her that wasn’t part of her role. “But my generation of women began working, going to college and having careers,” she said.

“I’m my own person and not only ‘Father’s wife,’” she said. Hutnyan was a first-grade teacher for 28 years in Liberty school district.

Hutynan said she began creating her own path at the church, serving as choir director, cantress and Sunday school teacher. “I also made the bread for Holy Communion and was the hostess of the parish when the bishop visited,” she said.

She noted for as much as the pani is a center of attention in the parish, she must always “be gracious, equally friendly to all, that is, have no special friends, not gossip and be polite.” Among words Hutnyan used to describe a pani are “forgiving, strong, supportive and tolerant.”

“Many things come into play. Life in a parish can be difficult,” she admitted. “Sometimes it is a lonely life because socializing is limited to the church family and Orthodox communities.”

The Hutnyans have lived at the Steel Street rectory more than 50 years.

“When I came as a young girl, the people at the parish were so kind and generous. They are my family,” Hutnyan told the group. She admitted she and her husband were lucky — their parish has provided a beautiful rectory and been open to new ideas. “I’m a trustee on the board,” she said.

“Life as a pastor’s wife is a challenge,” she told the group, asking them to think kindly and be supportive of their minister’s spouses. “Keep them in your heart,” she said.

The program also featured musical selections by 10 kindergarten through second-grade pupils from Holy Trinity Orthodox Christian Academy in Warren. Director was Chris DiGiacobbe.

Program participants were the Rev. Daniel Rohan, St. Mark’s pastor; Kathleen Vuksanovich, vice president of the Eastern Orthodox Women’s Society; and the Rev. Cosmin Antonescu, pastor of Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church.

Helen Mays, tea chairwoman, said, “The city needs these kinds of events to show love among people of various denominations.

“These events help us learn to interact with others,” she said. “It’s a learning experience, and people become well-versed about different faiths.”