杏MAP导航

By Kielce Gussie

杏MAP导航 Leo XIV sent a message to the participants of the Metropolitan Assembly of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, dated July 12, 2025. Convoked by the Metropolitan Archbishop, William Skurla, and the Council of Hierarchs, the meeting is taking place at the Byzantine Church of Saint Mary in Whiting, Indiana from July 16-20.

The is to serve as a “cornerstone for unity, reflection, and spiritual renewal, bringing together clergy and laity from across the Metropolitan Church of Pittsburgh.”

A visible sign of communion

In his message, the 杏MAP导航 highlighted the Assembly’s theme, Come, let us worship and bow before Christ, saying it “offers a precious opportunity to grow in unity and to reaffirm your commitment to the Lord.”

He pointed out that through the Assembly’s liturgical celebrations, prayers, and dialogue, they will be able to continue with their steadfast witness to Christ and proclamation of the Gospel in the vibrant tradition of the Byzantine Catholic Churches.

Bringing the clergy, religious, lay faithful together with the representatives from the Exarchate of Toronto and the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, 杏MAP导航 Leo explained, “offers a visible sign of communion in the Church.”

He extended his gratitude for the witness of the Assembly’s forebearers, who established the Byzantine communities throughout North America in spite of difficulties and an unknown future. The 杏MAP导航 said, “Their legacy continues in your courageous embrace of pastoral renewal, which is rooted in fidelity to your heritage.”

Closing his message, 杏MAP导航 Leo stressed his spiritual closeness to the Byzantine community in the United States and entrusted this Assembly to the Virgin Mary. He gave his Apostolic Blessing to the Assembly and everyone in the Archeparchy “as a pledge of wisdom, joy, and peace in the Lord.”

History of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh

The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh – chief diocese of an Eastern Catholic ecclesiastical province – is one of only two in the United States; the other is the Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Pittsburgh Archeparchy traces its roots back to 1924 as the first Greek Catholic Exarchate in the country.

According to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, there are around 300,000 faithful in the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church in the United States.