About:

We are a Byzantine Catholic (Eastern Rite) parish located in the Spokane Valley of Washington state. Our parish ministers to Byzantines Catholics of Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and Montana. As part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, we follow the traditions of the Eastern Ruthenian-Byzantine Catholic Rite. We worship according to the ancient liturgical practices of the church of Constantinople and celebrate though the heritage and customs of the Slavonic peoples of Eastern Europe. As Byzantine Catholics we are joined to the Universal Church as one of twenty-three ‘sui iuris’ (autonomous) particular churches within the Holy See, in full communion with the Pope of Rome. We welcome guests, Orthodox Christians, and Catholics from other Rites to participate with us in worshiping Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our Pastor:

The Reverend Father William O’brien is our Priest and began his service to the Parish on January 2, 2003. Father Bill is always happy to answer any questions and converse with guests and members of our community.

More Resources can be found on our links page.

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

WEEK DAYS:

MATINS 8:00 AM 
DIVINE LITURGY 9:00 AM

WEEK-END  

SATURDAY:  VESPERS AND DIVINE LITURGY 4:00 PM  
SUNDAY:  DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 AM 

SOLEMN HOLY DAY :      

EVE:  SOLEMN VESPERS & DIVINE LITURGY 6:00 PM
DAY:  SOLEMN MATINS 9:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 AM 

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION: 

EVE:  SOLEMN VESPERS & DIVINE LITURGY 6:00 PM
DAY:  SOLEMN MATINS 9:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 AM 
EVE: DIVINE LITURGY 6:00 PM 

*Confessions : Every Saturday & Sunday, Thirty minutes before Divine Liturgy. 

 (or by special appointment )

Saints Cyril (825-69) and Methodius (826-84) were brothers born in Thessalonica, Greece. Cyril was sent to study in Constantinople at an early age. After being ordained he held a position at the university. Methodius became governor of one of the Slav colonies in Opsikion Province and then later became a monk.

In 861, Emperor Michael III sent both brothers, who had been living in a monastery, to Russia to convert the Khazars. After learning the Khazar language they converted many people.

On their return in 863, they were sent to convert the Moravians. They were extremely successful because of their knowledge of the Slavonic language. They invented an alphabet named Glagolithic, which was the beginning of Slavonic literature, and translated liturgical books into Slavonic. Their missionary work was hampered by the German clergy and the German bishop of Passau who did not like their use of Slavonic in church services, did not like that they were from Constantinople, and refused to ordain their candidates for priesthood. Pope Nicholas I asked them to return to Rome, but while they were traveling he passed away. They were greeted instead by Pope Adrian II who received them warmly, approved the use of the Slavonic language in the liturgy, and announced that they were to be ordained bishops.

Shortly after their return to Rome on February 14, Cyril died. Methodius returned to Moravia a bishop. At the request of the Princes of Moravia and Pannonia, the Pope formed the archdiocese of Moravia and Pannonia, independent of the German hierarchy, and made Methodius archbishop at Velehrad, Czechoslovakia.

In 870, the German King Louis and the German bishops imprisoned Methodius for two years until he was released by order of Pope John VIII and forbidden to use Slavonic in the liturgy. He was summoned to Rome in 878 for using Slavonic in the liturgy. Pope John VIII was impressed by Methodius's arguments that he again permitted the use of Slavonic in the liturgy.

Methodius traveled to Constantinople to finish the translation of Scriptures that he had begun with his brother Cyril. Throughout the remainder of his life he continued to struggle with the Germans. He passed away on April 6. Cyril and Methodius are called "Apostles of the Slavs."

The Universal Church Feast Day was established as February 14 by Pope Leo XIII in 1880. The Eastern Church remembers and honors St. Cyril on February 14, St. Methodius on April 6, and both SS. Cyril and Methodius on May 11.