St. Stephen Cathedral
Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix·Ruthenian Greek Catholic·United States
St. Stephen Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, located in Phoenix, Arizona. It serves as the principal church for the Ruthenian Greek Catholic community in the region, with its history tracing back to the mid-20th century when Byzantine Catholics began establishing a presence in the western United States.
Key Facts
- ›Began as a parish in 1968, acquiring the former St. Thomas the Apostle Antiochene Orthodox Church property.
- ›Dedicated under the patronage of St. Stephen, the Proto-Martyr, on June 28, 1968.
- ›Became a pro-cathedral in 1994 following the relocation of the Eparchy of Van Nuys chancery to Phoenix after earthquake damage.
- ›Officially elevated to cathedral status in 2010 when the Eparchy of Van Nuys was renamed the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix.
- ›Additional facilities including a rectory, parish hall, and columbarium were added in subsequent decades.
- ›Has seen several episcopal appointments and apostolic administrators, reflecting its evolving administrative status.
- Former St. Thomas the Apostle Antiochene Orthodox Church Property
- Rectory and Parish Hall
- Columbarium
About St. Stephen Cathedral
St. Stephen Cathedral is the seat of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, serving the Ruthenian Greek Catholic community in Phoenix, Arizona. Its establishment reflects the growth of Byzantine Catholic populations in the western United States.
History and Development
The origins of St. Stephen Cathedral trace back to 1956 when Byzantine Catholics in Phoenix began to envision their own church. Ten years later, in 1968, a formal request for a parish was granted by Bishop Nicholas Elko of Pittsburgh. The community acquired the property of the former St. Thomas the Apostle Antiochene Orthodox Church, and the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Easter Sunday of that year. The church was officially dedicated on June 28, 1968, by Bishop Stephen Kocisko, under the patronage of St. Stephen, the Proto-Martyr, with the Rev. Paul Bovankovich appointed as the parish's first pastor.
Over the subsequent decades, the parish expanded its facilities. A rectory and parish hall were constructed in 1974, and a columbarium was added in 1991, enhancing the church's capacity to serve its congregation.
Elevation to Cathedral Status
A significant development occurred in 1994 when the Northridge earthquake caused damage to the chancery offices of the Eparchy of Van Nuys and its Cathedral of St. Mary. Bishop George Kuzma and his staff consequently relocated to Phoenix, leading to St. Stephen's designation as a pro-cathedral. This interim status marked a period of increased importance for the church within the eparchy's administration. In 2010, the Eparchy of Van Nuys underwent a renaming to the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, and St. Stephen's was officially elevated from its pro-cathedral status to that of a full cathedral, becoming the principal church of the newly named eparchy.
Leadership and Administration
St. Stephen Cathedral has seen a succession of leadership. In 2016, Father Diodoro Mendoza was appointed rector and pastor. The eparchy has also seen changes in its episcopal leadership, with Bishop John Stephen Pazak succeeding Bishop Gerald Nicholas Dino. Bishop Dino passed away in November 2020, and Bishop Pazak retired in August 2021, becoming Bishop Emeritus. Pope Francis appointed Bishop Thomas Olmsted as Apostolic Administrator from 2018 to 2023. In 2023, Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic succeeded Bishop Olmsted as Apostolic Administrator. The current eparch, Artur Bubnevych, was installed on January 28, 2025.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was St. Stephen Cathedral established as a parish?
The community began planning for a church in 1956, and permission to acquire the property was granted in 1968. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Easter Sunday of that year, and the church was formally dedicated on June 28, 1968.
What is the history of St. Stephen Cathedral's status?
Initially established as a parish, it later became a pro-cathedral in 1994 due to the relocation of the Eparchy of Van Nuys to Phoenix. In 2010, it was officially elevated to cathedral status when the eparchy was renamed the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix.
What significant events have occurred in the cathedral's history?
Key events include its dedication in 1968, the construction of a rectory and parish hall in 1974, the addition of a columbarium in 1991, its designation as a pro-cathedral in 1994, and its official elevation to cathedral status in 2010.
Who is the patron saint of St. Stephen Cathedral?
The cathedral is dedicated to St. Stephen, the Proto-Martyr, who is the first Christian martyr.
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