St. Nicholas Parish

     St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is a Church of the Byzantine rite, which celebrates the Divine Liturgy and the Sacraments according to the Eastern Byzantine Tradition akin to the Orthodox, but we are in full communion with the Catholic Church.

     St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is one of Philadelphia's jewels among places of worship. The parish was founded in 1943 by men and women of deep faith from Western Ukraine, who wished to have their own Ukrainian Catholic Church in the USA.

The present Church was built in 1976 and dedicated to St. Nichalas, the bishop of Myra (now Demre, Turkey).  St. Nicholas is the most popular saint in the Ukrainian church, as is shown by the fact that there have been more churches named after St. Nicholas than after any other saint.  St. Nicholas is beloved throughout the Christian East for his kindness and help, both during his life and afterward. He is called "Wonderworker" for the miracles which he performed and which he still performs, by God's grace.

    The architecture of St. Nicholas Church   reflects the beauty and richness of the religious and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people. The Church has the form of a ship (the ship of salvation) and the roof of the church has one golden dome, which signify heaven.

   The church interior is divided into three sections: the vestibule, the nave, and the sanctuary. The sanctuary is the most sacred part of the Church. It contains the Holy Table (altar) at its center.  At the center of the altar is the tabernacle. The tabernacle is symbolic of the Ark of Covenant in which rests the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

   Upon entry in to the church you will see special door between the congregation and the sanctuary. It is called Icon Screen (so called Iconostas), which symbolizes the curtain in the Temple in Jerusalem that separated the people from the Holy of Holies.

   The Iconostas is filled with images of Christ, Mary the Theotokos and  the Saints. These icons on Iconostas are not just decorations for the church.  In the early days they served to instruct those who could not read.  Icons are more than a holy picture; they are a representation of sacred or sanctified persons that are used to help the faithful focus on prayer. In our church icons depict the faith, theology and spirituality of faithful Christians, in a sense they are a “window to heaven” through which our prayers travel to God.

  The Iconostas has three doors. The central or  the  Royal Gates have icons of the four evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). The Royal Gates,  called "Royal" because the King of Glory brings the Holy Eucharist through them to feed his faithful people. The Royal Gate also is the symbol of the passage between Heaven and Earth. Only bishop, a priest, or a deacon accompanied  by a priest is allowed to pass thought this door.  Hanging above the Royal Doors is the Eternal Light, which is always lit and reminds us of the never-ending presence of God. There are two additional doors on either side of the royal doors called the Deacon's Doors. These are used by the deacons and others who assist with the services. The Deacon’s Door in St. Nicholas Church has the icons of the archangels Michael on the door on the right and an icon of Gabriel on the left. The icon on the far right on the first row is the icon of the patron saint of the church - St. Nicholas. On the far left on the first row, is the icon of great Ukrainian martyr and apostle of Church unity between East and West - St. Josaphat. It's important to remember that everything you see, hear, smell, touch, or do in our church has one purpose and one purpose only: TO LEAD US CLOSER TO GOD.