The first wave of Ukrainian immigrants arrived in Salem, Massachusetts at the start of the 20th century . A core group of Ukrainian speaking immigrants from Eastern Poland formed a community who identified themselves as “Greek Catholics”. In 1918, they formed a church community under the patronage of St. John the Baptist. Employed in the leather and shoe factories, they made sacrifices to form their own parish so they could worship according to the Byzantine as Catholics under the ultimate jurisdiction of the Bishop and Pope of Rome,
St. Johns foundation desired to preserve and foster their beloved Liturgy and Galatian chants. To pray in the manner of their parents and spiritual forbearers from Eastern Europe. Working to each these Liturgical and Spiritual Traditions to their children. With the hope to pass on their love for their homeland and its culture to the succeeding generations.
Today St. Johns Ukrainian Catholic Church is a small, closely knit parish family. There are recent immigrants from Ukraine, those who arrived in the U.S. after World War II, as well as American born with Ukrainian ancestry. These are likewise people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, who have been attracted by the Liturgy and prayers of the Byzantine-Kyivan Tradition, as well as by the lively community spirit of our parish.
Under the worldwide leadership of His Beatitude . Our patriarch Sviatoslav, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych, our parish if of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy (Diocese) of Stamford, Ct. His excellency, The most Rev. Paul Chomnycky, OSBM is our Chief Shepard, Pastor and Teacher. as part of the Greek Ukrainian Catholic Church, we are under the ultimate Jurisdiction of Hiss Holiness, Pope Francis I, Bishop and Pope of Rome.
Participation in the Divine Liturgy (Eucharistic celebration) is understood by Christians of the Byzantine Tradition to be a privilege. The altar or Holy Table is intended to be symbolic of the Heavenly Throne of God. The angelic seraphim and cherubim are represented by winged images near the altar. Icons of the Mother of God, of the saints and liturgical feasts, remind of us of all the events connected with our salvation narrated in both Old and New Testaments. Our Liturgical Chant, always without instrumental accompaniment conveys a sense if holiness we strive for and of the Divine nature which we share through Mysteries we celebrate in church.
If you live in the vicinity of Salem, the North Shore, Cape Ann or any of the surrounding areas, or happen to be visiting Salem, we hope you will plan a visit to our church. Wherever you may be on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to join us for prayer, worship and fellowship at any of our services or other parish events.
Glory to Jesus Christ ! Glory forever! Slava Isusu Khrystu! Slava na viky!