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St Josaphat's UGCC in Bethlehem PA.

St Josaphat's Bethlehem, PA [donblakephotography.com]

Beautiful church and photos.
By the way, The celebration of Holy Eucharist is known as Divine Liturgy and not Mass.

The link is from St. Anthony Messenger, a Roman Catholic magazine publication. That's why they are using the term "Mass" instead of Divine Liturgy. Sadly, they don't know any better.

All of the captions to the photographs spell "altar" as "alter".

Do they plan to finish the temple or are they limited to the Iconostasis and sanctuary?

A beautiful photo article for the Romans to reflect upon! My thanks to the Pastor, servers and the congregation of St Jehosophat's for being a part of this info.

I just noticed one stained glass window, but I assume they are all just as beautiful!

Dan,

I'm confused To what are you referring as unfinished?

Many years,

Neil

Where are the icons throughout the temple? www.byzantinecatholic.com [byzantinecatholic.com]

Does one choose a Church by its Icons or the faith of its people ?

By the quality of the entertainment especially the number of musical instruments and the size of the sound system.

Actually most traditional wooden Carpathian wooden village churches have fairly sparse iconography outside of the Altar. Hopefully we won't have uninformed criticism of that venerable tradition. Many years to Archpriest Daniel who gave a wonderful clergy conference to our Eparchy last year.

Carson,

I'm not saying this based on firm fact, but on impression. Historically I don't believe our parishes had elaborate iconography throughout the church. Yes, there would be symbols or designs, like the "Eye of God," Dove, Arc, Anchor, Peacock, etc.

The elaborate iconic traditon was more common in territories where funding by the government or nobility was available. It took our church a century just to build structures from something more lasting than wood (thus the now famous wooden churches.)

The Russian tradition of church ornamentation is beautiful and a tradition to follow; but as I say it hasn't been the historic norm for us. Things are changing, our (European) churches are slowing emerging from poverty; our American communities are impressed by the full iconic tradition and newer parishes and remodeled parishes are employing this religious and spiritual art, but it will take several generations to implement. Annunciation and our Munhall cathedral are beautiful examples to follow.

My take on this.

Thanks Diak for your comment; you posted as I was preparing my reply.

Thank you, Paul B. This is most helpful.

I did notice that the Divine Liturgy is celebrated with fairly full rubrics, at least with the opening and closing of the doors and the use of the curtain.