www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Looking for a thorough Ruthenian church history source

I am looking for a thorough history of the Ruthenian Byzantines (including the U.S.) that would go back prior to the first formal agreement with Rome in the 16th or 17th century. A history of the Carpatho-Rus people would help, but it would also spread through several other churches, I believe. I've gotten many bits and pieces by reading biographies, etc., but if anyone on the Forum knows a good, thorough work on the subject, please pass it along. (My search of the Forum's database didn't reveal one, but my search parameters might have been off.)

Jim, I would first suggest you read Fr. Athanasius Pekar's book entitled "The History of the Church in Subcarpathian Rus'". This was reprinted in English and published by Columbia University Press, New York. You can buy it on-line at the Carpatho-Rusyn Society website (www.carpathorusynsociety.org. [carpathorusynsociety.org.]

Ung-Certez

Ung-Certez, thank you for bringing to my attention the book mentioned above. It is not currently available from the Society website or the Seminary, but is available through amazon.com. There are used copies available for as little as $28. I will try for an interlibrary loan first, before resorting to purchase. Thanks again.

You could also try the Carpatho-Rusyn Research Center,
http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/crrc

They were the primary distributor for the book.

Jim asks for a thorough history of the Ruthenian Church from the 16th or 17th century, including Unions and so forth. So far as I know, there isn't one, although it would certainly be a worth-while endeavor. The trouble starts with the very word "Ruthenian", which has changed its meaning and usage several times in the period in question. If Jim can define more clearly whom he has in mind and when (which I admit is a tall order) it may be possible to be of greater help. For those who read Latin, there is an excellent series of volumes of documents located in the archives in Rome - the series was begin by Metropolitan Andrew and Father Cyril Korolevsky; it was eventually continued and published by Patriarch Joseph. An entire volume deals with the Mukachevo Eparchy. Incognitus

My wife's grandfather's family was originally from 2 villages in what is now Slovakia, as far as I know- Velka Lodina, and Mala Lodina. The spelling is probably incorrect, but Joe Thur had confirmed their existence for me previously by way of old maps that were more detailed than the current internet ones I was examining. They were Greek Catholic. There are stories about how the Russian Orthodox Church attempted to russify the Greek Catholics in their area, so the church sought protection and stability with Rome in order to preserve its traditions, liturgies, etc. They would have been under Presov or Mukachevo diocese, I suspect. In America the family name became Mehall, but was also Mihel on some older records, and they settled in Uniontown, Pa. I am seeking a source book for the history of the church that includes their former area in Europe in order to better understand how the church has evolved. Being formerly in the OCA, I can at least see what orthodox practices have been restored versus what was latinized- some of the time. (There is always some custom or personal pious practice to learn about, regardless of jurisdiction.) We attend the Byzantine Catholic Church in Gilbert, AZ, where I am a cantor. What is confusing is how the church wound up in many different countries in Europe through secular politics, but was basically the church of the Carpatho-Rus people. I figure the book by Fr. Pekar will be a good start. Our local library is going to get it for me. They're good about interlibrary loans.

In simpler terms, what was church worship and tradition like for my wife's grandparents, in their villages in eastern Slovakia? Hope that cleared up some of the mystery of my previous posts.

Another great source for the American history would be _Historical Mirror_ by Fr John Slivka. I believe it was privately printed but copies may be available through inter-library loan. It is a compendium of source documents--many of which are not available elsewhere.

David Ignatius DTBrown@aol.com

Is Jim familiar with Robert Magocsi's book *Our People*? Also, if he could obtain a copy of Msgr John Yurcisin's *the Carpatho-Russians and Their Church*, that would be of interest. Incognitus

Hi all,

Can anyone direct me to an internet link that will detail the text in English of the Union of Uzhorod? I cannot seem to find anything as yet. I would have thought the material would be easy to find.

Thanks
Michael