Parish Photo Gallery - 2025
Nativity of Our Lord
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Wishing you all joy as we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord! The celebration continues on Dec 26th and Dec 27th with 9:30 am Liturgies.
(8 images)
2025 Annual Children’s Christmas Program (Yolka)
This year's program was researched, written, and directed by Asa Rosak as his senior project for school, under the guidance of Mat. Debbie. Well done, Asa. Many years!
(25 images)
Christian's Chrismation
This morning we welcomed the newest warrior for Christ into the Holy Orthodox Church through Holy Chrismation. May God continue to bless Christian in his journey. Many years!
(8 images)
Fall Retrospective
As the first snowflakes of the season appear, here are some highlights of a wonderful fall at HGOC!
- start of the church school academic year
- hayride at Yeck's farm
- Thanksgiving Day Liturgy
Looking forward to a busy December! Check the parish calendar and check back here for all of the happenings.
(9 images)
Simply Social in November
A very pleasant evening enjoying each other's company for the pre-Nativity Fast Simply Social!
(3 images)
Archpriest David Vernak 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood
We offer our congratulations to Archpriest David Vernak and Matushka Mariam on the recent 50th anniversary of Fr. David's ordination to the Holy Priesthood! Fr. David is a son of Holy Ghost and was ordained at our altar. In retirement, he and Matushka have settled back in the area and we see them frequently. May God continue to bless them with many years!
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Today we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Father David Vernak's ordination to the Priesthood. His Eminence Archbishop Melchisedek presented Father David with a gramata honoring him for his years of selfless ministry. Axios! Thank you Father David and Matushka Mariam for your years of ministry in the Church.
(8 images)
The Dormition of the Theotokos
Hymn to the Theotokos (sung at the Divine Liturgy):
The Angels, as they looked upon the Dormition of the Virgin, were struck with wonder, seeing how the Virgin went up from earth to heaven. The limits of nature are overcome in you, O Pure Virgin: for birth-giving remains virginal, and life is united to death; a virgin after childbearing and alive after death, you ever save your inheritance, O Theotokos.
(6 images)
Transfiguration
Troparion — Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, O Christ God, revealing Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting Light shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Theotokos. O Giver of Light, glory to Thee!
(5 images)
All American Council
This week, Fr. Bill and Danielle Ilchuk have been the delegates representing Holy Ghost at the OCA's 21st All American Council. It's been a week full of worship, meetings, and fellowship, and also a very robust youth program, which 2 of our youth participated in. They were particularly blessed to venerate the relics of our newest saint, St. Olga of Alaska.
Also special recognition to our Protodeacon Peter Ilchuk who serves as Council Manager.
Check out the OCA's website and Facebook page for daily recaps and summaries.
Glory to God!
(4 images)
St Vladimir's Summer Camp
8 of our youth spent the week at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Camp in Ohio for Junior Olympics week! It was a week filled with prayer, fellowship, sports, and making memories. They've helped as counselors-in-training, served in the altar for church services, made new friends, won awards, and strengthened themselves as Christians. Well done, everyone. Many years!
(1 images)
Lay leadership is crucial in the life of a parish. It is often important behind the scenes work that keeps a parish healthy.
Earlier this week, Fr. Bill administered the oath of office to our newest parish council member. We thank Tawni for assuming this important lay responsibility in leading the parish along with the other council members. Many years!
One of our very own! Many years and congratulations to Kyra!
Meet the new Archdiocesan Family Retreat Coordinator: Kyra Mathewson
Kyra Mathewson is a daughter of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, a wife, and mother of three young boys. Born and raised in the Church, she brings a deep love for Christ and His people to her new role as Family Retreat Coordinator.
Kyra holds Pennsylvania teaching certifications in Early Childhood and Special Education, and has served the past 4 years as Church School Director at her home parish in Crossingville, PA. She is passionate about supporting families as they grow in faith together.
Kyra enjoys homeschooling her boys, baking sourdough, and connecting with her community. She prays this ministry will flourish, opening pathways to connect families while creating opportunities to develop lasting memories.
Devin and Alexandra Chrismation
Many years to the newly-Chrismated Orthodox Christians Devin (Raphael) and Alexandra! May God continue to bless and guide your journey. Welcome home!
(6 images)
Holy Pentecost - “The Last and Great Day”
Troparion
Blessed art Thou O Christ Our God,
Who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise,
by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit,
through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net,
O Lover of Man, Glory to Thee!
Kontakion
When the most High came down and confused the tongues,
He divided the nations;
but when he distributed the tongues of fire,
He called all to unity.
Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the All-holy Trinity!
"Again and again on bended knee, let us pray to the Lord, God!"
(9 images)
Father Bill's 40th Anniversary of Ordination Celebration
This past weekend, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Fr. Bill's ordination to the Holy Priesthood!
Fr. Bill was ordained on May 11, 1985, at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Canonsburg, PA. He served at Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Moundsville, WV, from 1985-1991 before coming to Holy Ghost.
On behalf of the Evansky family, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time out of their day to celebrate with us. May God continue to guide him and grant Fr. Bill and Matushka Debbie many, many years!
(12 images)
Easter Egg Hunt
Absolutely perfect weather on Pascha for the egg hunt!
Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!
(13 images)
PASCHA!
"Yesterday I was buried with Thee, O Christ.
Today I arise with Thee in Thy resurrection.
Yesterday I was crucified with Thee:
Glorify me with Thee, O Savior, in Thy kingdom."
(Ode 3, Paschal Canon)
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
Do not lament me, O Mother, seeing me in the tomb, the Son conceived in the womb without seed. For I shall arise and be glorified with eternal glory as God. I shall exalt all who magnify you in faith and in love.
This is the day which the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Christos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!
(9 images)
St Basil Vesperal Liturgy: The Descent into Hades by Christ
“Arise, O God, and judge the earth, for to Thee belongs all the nations!”
(5 images)
Holy Saturday Matins
... with Lamentations at the tomb of Christ and procession.
(14 images)
Great and Holy Friday Vespers
"The noble Joseph, when he had taken down Thy most pure Body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen, and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb."
(11 images)
First Confession
Congratulations to Elianna and Jacob, who made their First Confessions! They studied hard all of Lent to prepare. May God continue to guide them on their spiritual journey. Many years!
(7 images)
Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
(7 images)
Holy Unction
The Sacrament of Holy Unction during the final week of Great Lent.
(9 images)
Deanery Lenten Vespers
On the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent (St. Mary of Egypt) we had the privilege of hosting a Lenten Vespers for the Northwest Deanery of our Archdiocese.
Special thank you to Fr. John Mikita, Dean of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, for delivering the homily.
(4 images)
Third Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross
Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy holy Resurrection we glorify!
We thank the family who donated the beautiful flowers adorning the cross in memory of their departed loved ones. Memory eternal!
(9 images)
Chandelier Cleaning
Pascha preparations of our temple have begun! Many thanks to those who gave their time to clean the chandelier this week!
When we think of "serving the church", we often only think of the Liturgical services and the clergy (priest, deacons, altar servers.) But giving of time and talents, such as this endeavor, is another example of that. Glory to God!
(3 images)
Tom Zelesnik - Memory Eternal!
It is with much sorrow, yet hope in the Resurrection, that we share the news of the passing of our Church Council President, Tom Zelesnik. Tom has faithfully served our church for decades in various administrative capacities, and for the last 9 years as our president. Tom was always calm under pressure, professional, and most importantly first and foremost, a Christian. We will miss him immensely. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Memory Eternal!
(7 images)
1st Sunday of Great Lent: Sunday of Orthodoxy
The first Sunday of Great Lent is called the Sunday of Orthodoxy because it commemorates the restoration of the Holy Icons and the triumph of the Orthodox Faith against the terrible heresy of the Iconoclasts, i.e. those heretics who refused to honor the Holy Icons. To this day, we commemorate this triumph with a procession of icons!
(8 images)
Halfway through Clean Week!
Two more opportunities to hear the Canon of St. Andrew leading up to the first Presanctified Liturgy of the season on Friday night!
Some scenes from the first half of the week.
(6 images)
Annual Parish Meeting
This past Sunday, we held another fruitful annual parish meeting. In addition to the regular business of the Parish, the meeting body approved moving forward with a very exciting and significant iconography project. More on this to come in the near future!
(4 images)
Diocesan Skating Party
Over the weekend, some of our youth enjoyed a nice outing to go ice skating at the Rink at PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh!
(20 images)
The Meeting of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple
Blessing of candles for the Feast.
Troparion — Tone 1
Hail, Virgin Theotokos, full of grace; / for from you has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, / giving light those in darkness. / Be glad, O righteous Elder; / for you received in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, / Who bestows upon us resurrection.
(6 images)
Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
When Thou, O Lord, was baptized in the Jordan the worship of the Trinity was made manifest for the voice of the Father bear witness to Thee and called Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of His word. O Christ, our God, Who has revealed Thyself and has enlightened the world, Glory to Thee!
(11 images)