By God’s Grace and the People’s Will
On Sunday, November 9, the parish community of St. Michael in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, celebrates the 50-year anniversary of its founding. The Parish has for more than half a century served as a spiritual centre for the Ukrainian community in the Philadelphia area. Its story of formation is closely intertwined with major events of the 20th century — from the struggle to preserve faith and culture in exile to the reception of a new wave of immigration following Ukraine’s independence.
To understand better the roots of the parish, it is worth recalling the figure of Metropolitan Josyf Slipyi, who, after eighteen years of exile, in January 1963 was freed thanks to the extended diplomatic efforts of the Holy See and international mediators. Arriving in Rome, he found himself far from his native land and unable to return to Ukraine. In that period, the Metropolitan began active ministry among the Ukrainian diaspora, striving to restore church life and strengthen the spiritual unity of the faithful scattered across the world. During the Second Vatican Council he first petitioned for the elevation of the Kyiv-Halych Metropolia to the dignity of a patriarchate, though this initiative was not supported in the Roman Curia. Realising that recognition of a patriarchate might take a long time, he focused his efforts on building up the Church in the diaspora, establishing it as a spiritual home for Ukrainians everywhere.
Many Ukrainians living in America at that time cherished a great dream: that geopolitical changes in Europe were inevitable and that Ukraine would emerge as a free, independent state with its own language, identity, culture, history, liturgy and spirituality. Long-time parishioner Taras Levytsky recalls those times: “We did not want to change the calendar or the language, and at a certain point we found ourselves without a church building and without spiritual care. Brothers and sisters of the Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos on 12th Street in Philadelphia came to our aid. Divine services according to the Julian calendar and in the Ukrainian language were celebrated by the priest-emeritus Fr. Zenon Zlochovski at the Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.”
After several years of worship in the Orthodox church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Parish Council of St. Archangel Michael organised the purchase of a property in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. In 1976, Patriarch Josyf Slipyi arrived from Rome and blessed the estate, proclaiming: “Here will grow a great parish of Greek-Catholics.”
Initially the faithful converted a garage into their first church shelter, where prayers were held. Meanwhile a youth brotherhood and sisterhood operated actively—making varenyky and selling baked goods to support the parish financially. In 1980, Archbishop Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky officially recognised the Parish of St. Archangel Michael and admitted it into the fold of the Archeparchy. By 1985 the parish numbered about 150 members, and the Parish Council prepared a plan for the construction of a church building for 250 faithful.
In 1991, when Ukraine declared its independence, the small Parish of St. Archangel Michael began to grow with the arrival of a new wave of Greek-Catholics who felt at home here — thanks to the preserved Julian calendar and the Ukrainian language of the Divine Services. The new generation of faithful was invited into active participation in parish life. Subsequently newcomers joined the Parish Council, learning from the experience of the older generation. A major accomplishment of this new generation was the completion in 2017 of the Catechetical Centre — the fulfilment of the vision of a Church in which lay people build the future side-by-side with priests. Later, in 2022, a house for priests and guests was built and consecrated.
Today the Parish of St. Archangel Michael leads an active spiritual and educational life. In the summer, children’s camps are organised, in which some 160 children spend three weeks growing together in prayer, community and joy. Catechism classes for children of various ages operate, and youth gather in the organisation “Ukrainian Youth for Christ”. Church choirs and fellowship groups are active, the Sisterhood continues its service, and the Mothers in Prayer gather regularly. The church is open to volunteer initiatives—especially now, in the time of war—actively collecting aid for Ukraine. Parishioners participate in prayer gatherings, and on Wednesdays they study the Holy Scriptures. The spiritual care is provided by Rev. Vasyl Kharuk and Rev. Ostap Mykytchyn. The parish continues the traditions of its founders, caring for the preservation of Christian life and Ukrainian identity.
50-Year Anniversary Celebration
We invite everyone to the celebration of the parish’s 50-year anniversary!
The celebration began on Friday with night vigil prayers. On Saturday there will be a historic and artistic evening of remembrance of the parish’s founding at 17:00, and on Sunday, November 9, 2025 A.D., — the Divine Liturgy, a festive meal and concert.
Prepared by Halyna Vasylytsia