Archeparchy Of Pittsburgh, Greek Catholic Union Announce Benefit For Byzantine Seminary

Online, November 15, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and the Greek Catholic Union (GCU) announce the 55th Annual Saint Nicholas Dinner to benefit Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary. The event will take place Sunday, December 4 at Saint John's Cathedral Center, 210 Greentree Road in Munhall, Pennsylvania. St. Nicholas Vespers will begin at 3:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral, adjacent to the Cathedral Center. Cocktails, a new Kid's Korner, a short program and dinner will follow.

This year's event theme, Unity, holds special significance as the Byzantine Church looks to reinvigorate its youth population. In 2010, the event committee launched the first step towards this goal, a toy drive in partnership with the Salvation Army's 'Treasures for Children' Program. Dinner attendees were asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy suitable for a child up to age 13, to be donated in blessed memory of the late Metropolitan Archbishop Basil M. Schott, who died in June 2010. Patrons this year are asked to do the same, as the toy drive in 2010 assisted over 300 families with toys for their children. For this reason, the toy drive has become an annual tradition. A new Saint Nicholas Icon has also been created as the official icon of the event, which is to be unveiled that evening.

Several new youth-oriented program elements are also to take place this year. First, altar servers will be involved in a processional during vespers in which the servers will carry the banners of their individual parishes, and several special young persons will comprise a youth chorus. In addition, the Story of Saint Nicholas will be told by young adult narrators and the Kid's Korner will allow children time to play, sing and write letters to Saint Nicholas, which they will then had deliver as he is to make a special appearance during the dinner.

Parties interested in attending the dinner ($30 per person; $15 per child age 12 & under) or making a contribution to the Seminary via the commemorative program booklet may obtain the required reservation and sponsorship forms, as well as event details, by visiting the Fraternal News Section on the GCU website: http://www.gcuusa.com/whats-new.html.

ABOUT THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC ARCHEPARCHY - The Byzantine Metropolitan Church sui iuris of Pittsburgh was established as the Exarchate of Pittsburgh in 1924. This Exarchate expanded to become the Eparchy of Pittsburgh and the Eparchy of Passaic in 1963. Full status as a Metropolitan Church was granted in 1969 with the designation of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the Eparchy of Passaic, the Eparchy of Parma and, later, Holy Protection of Mary Eparchy of Phoenix. The Metropolitan Church is governed by the Council of Hierarchs comprised of the Metropolitan Archbishop and the bishops of each of the eparchies.

ABOUT THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC SEMINARY OF SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS - The Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius is a school of theology whose primary mission is to prepare candidates for priestly ministry to the Byzantine Catholic Churches of North America. The academic programs of the Seminary are open to qualified off-campus students whether lay or religious.
Founded in 1950, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary is governed by a Board of Directors, appointed by and under the direction of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh.