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Heritage, faith span generations
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church plans open house for centennial
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
Beauty abounds wherever you look in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The dome, iconostas, stained-glass windows and specially designed front doors provide a testimony in architecture, religious art and stained glass to the faith and fortitude of the congregation. In spite of or maybe because of the splendor, the nave comes across as a very spiritual place. To members, it just “feels like home.”
That’s the feeling expressed by members who met to talk about the church they love. George and Mary Ann Popovich were married at the church Jan. 23, 1973. “It’s the fellowship,” George Popovich said of the atmosphere of the parish. “It’s more like family.”
His wife added that after Divine Liturgies on Sundays, the congregation gathers for a social time with refreshments — in the courtyard when weather permits or church hall. The connection among members is everything.
The Rev. Steven Zarichny, pastor since October 2008, said he has been impressed by the cohesiveness among the young, middle-aged and older members. “They demonstrate unity, spirit of cooperation and pride in their ethnic culture,” he said.
Mary Ann Popovich, baptized at the church, has far-reaching ties to the church — her grandfather, Vasyl Bilan, was a founder. Her mother, Olga Mamrich, served as first president of St. Ann Guild formed in 1959 to sponsor projects to benefit the church. The guild began pirogi sales April 17, 1959. “It must be 14 billon sold by now,” she said.
Many are familiar with the Friday sales of the ethnic food from September through May. “We make bout 4,000 pirogis a week,” Mary Ann Popovich said. The pirogis are sold through retail outlets in the Mahoning Valley.
Ann Borovitcky, church secretary and lifetime member, added that customers see the end result Friday of an almost weeklong project that begins on Tuesdays. It takes volunteers, working in crews, to make the potato balls to fill the pirogis, pinch the pirogis closed and cook them.
“It’s a great product,” said Kathy Terlecky, who married Steve Terlecky, and converted to Catholicism. “Fresh ingredients” are key, said Luba Horsky, administrative coordinator and member.
The congregation, numbering about 250, also are engaged in church organizations. Acolytes assist at Divine Liturgies and there is a youth Divine Liturgy the first Sunday of every other month in which young people have active roles. Rosary Society members visit the sick and shut-ins and pray the rosary. The Parish Youth Committee, designed to keep young people invested in their faith and the church, sponsors retreats and social events.
Among special events at the church, there is a St. Nicholas dinner and program Dec. 6. George Popovich, cast as St. Nicholas, said the event focuses on the Christian quality of charity.
With Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox and St. Ann Ukrainian churches, Holy Trinity formed the Youngtown Area Ukrainian Dancers. The young dancers and musicians are preserving ethnic heritage in an entertaining way.
It is at the Divine Liturgy that members join in faith. No instruments are used in church; chanting and a capella singing are the tradition, Horsky said. Songs in Ukrainian help keep the ethnic heritage vibrant, Kathy Terlecky said.
John Terlecky, born and baptized into the church, said the church interior may appear ornate to some but it’s that way because “it represents the kingdom of God on earth.” Borovitcky added that “it feels like heaven.”
The iconostas, which translates as “stand of icons,” is the point that connects heaven and earth, according to a pamphlet on the towering structure. The royal doors, leading to the sanctuary where the marble altar is, are highlighted by icons of evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These are among 50 icons on the iconostas, installed in 1920. Horsky said original blueprints of the iconostas were found and framed.
An icon on the left side of the nave symbolizes the baptism of Ukraine and depicts St. Andrew, who first preached there.
What’s called the “rose window” of stained glass dominates the choir loft. Other stained-glass windows highlight both sides of the nave. “Every time you look at them, you see something new,” Kathy Terlecky said.
A scroll design from the original pattern highlights the church dome, renovated in 2009. Old photos helped in that area. There are icons of Archangel Michael, Gabriel and Raphael and 16 smaller stained-glass windows.
The church also is distinguished by three bells, embossed in Ukrainian with parts of Psalm 150. The bells, made in 1913, are a 4,000-pound C-sharp tone, 2,000-pound F-tone and 1,200-pound G-sharp tone.
The late Monsignor Leo Adamiak, pastor for 55 years, designed the church doors detailed with religious and secular symbols.
John Terlecky summed his feeling with the comment, “The inside of the church inspires my religion the way the American flag inspires my patriotism.”
A centennial book with history, parish life and photos was compiled.