The Saint Nicholas Chapel mirrors the churches in the homeland of Greek Catholic Union’s founders who came to America from the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in Eastern Europe, present day Eastern Slovakia and Western Ukraine.
The Chapel is a New World re-creation of GCU’s founders’ Old World faith. Their Eastern Christian heritage is reflected in the tranquil, prayerful interior of the Chapel.
Constructed of various hardwoods, the Chapel is a celebration of “God With Us,” a theme echoed in the liturgical services of the Eastern Christian Churches. Saint Nicholas, patron of the GCU and the Byzantine Catholic Church in America, lived in the fourth century in Asia Minor. He was a model of faith and an example of virtue. His most notable attribute was his charity to fellow humans. Featured at the Chapel are ten scenes from the life of Saint Nicholas. Each has a message and a teaching purpose, now recorded on the walls of the Chapel for future generations.
A Museum combining GCU, Greek Catholic, and Carpatho-Rusyn histories is located on the lower level of the Chapel. Many one-of-a-kind artifacts are included in the collection. The Saint Nicholas Chapel, adjacent to the GCU Home Office in Beaver, PA is open and free of charge to interested persons. Reservations are required and may be made by calling GCU at 1-800-722-4428.
There a website up with some new information on Rusyn Wooden Churches in the Zakarpattya Region. The site page for the Rusyn Churches is only 20-30% finished, but there are some interesting photos and information on the few they do have listed. Check it out.
