St. Michael's Orthodox Church in Saint Clair marks its 125 anniverary

Nov. 21—SAINT CLAIR — The immigrants who founded St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church were remembered Sunday as the church celebrated its 125th anniversary.

"We're here to honor the people who came before us," said William Sutzko, a grandson of immigrants from the Carpathian Mountain region of Europe. "When I think of what they went through 125 years ago, it's an honor and a privilege to pay tribute to them."

In the vestibule of a church adorned with Byzantine art, Sutzko said the miners who founded the congregation were fortified by the Orthodox faith of their fathers.

"For miners who toiled in darkness, the church was their light," said Sutzko, an archon, the highest lay rank in the Orthodox church. "The church was the center of their life."

Beneath a ceiling painting of St. Michael the Archangel, the church's patron saint, retired Bishop David Moriak celebrated the Divine Liturgy for about 250 people Sunday morning.

A former pastor of St. Michael's, Moriak substituted for Metropolitan Gregory, bishop of the Orthodox Church in America Diocese of Johnston, who could not attend due to illness.

Co-celebrants included Rev. Jeff L. Zias, St. Michael's pastor; the Rev. Matthew Moriak; and the Rev. Joseph Wargo.

Jonah Zias and Matthew Mykut served as readers, and Parker Mykut and Landon Bracey were altar servers.

Under the direction of Barbara Verbitsky, the St. Michael's choir sang the liturgy.

The Rev. Joseph Fester, the metropolitan's representative, delivered the homily.

St. Michael's, he said, was built on sacrifices of generation after generation of parishioners.

"We are the next generation," he said, "and are called upon to nourish our deep roots so there will be a St. Michael's for the future generations."

Gave them life

On Nov. 21, 1897 — 125 years ago Monday — the newly formed congregation of St. Michael the Archangel dedicated a former Episcopal church hall as its house of worship.

After Sunday's service, the congregation gathered for an anniversary banquet in the original church, now St. Michael's Social Hall.

Sutzko, 79, also St. Michael's treasurer, called attention to the plight of immigrants leaving what was then Austria-Hungary for a new life in the coal regions.

Coming with few possessions and unable to speak English, they persevered in large part because of their involvement in St. Michael's, he said.

"Their jobs in the mines gave them food, but the church gave them life," said Sutzko, a retired Saint Clair Area School District teacher.

Special bond

Paul Shandor's connection to St. Michael's goes back to his grandfather, Andrew Shandor, who was among the founders of the parish. His parents were longtime members of the church choir.

"I'm thinking of all the people who made this church what it is," said Shandor, a retired Saint Clair Area Middle School science teacher.

Steve Laychock, a life member of St. Michael's, said the church continues to be a beacon to members who have left the region.

Some of them, he said, returned for the 125th anniversary.

"You never really stray far from St. Michael's," said Laychock, 70, who works in the food service industry. "They have a special bond to it."

Speaking in Slavonic, the liturgical language of the Orthodox church, Stuzko led the gathering in a toast.

Glasses raised, repeating the toast in English, they said: "May God give you many years. May God give you many blessed years."

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007