The Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary or Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church is a
parish church and
proto-cathedral of the
Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix
The Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, commonly known as the Eparchy of Phoenix and formerly known as the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys, ( la, Eparchia Vannaisensis) is a Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church terri ...
, serving the
Ruthenian Eastern Catholic population of
Los Angeles,
California,
United States. It was the first Byzantine church in California. It is located on
Sepulveda Boulevard in
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California
Sherman Oaks is a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, California located in the San Fernando Valley, founded in 1927. The neighborhood includes a portion of the Santa Monica Mountains, which gives Sherman Oaks a lower population density than ...
. It is the only Byzantine Ruthenian Church in the territory of the
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
In 1956, the bishop of the
Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh granted permission for a priest to minister in Los Angeles. In 1957, the parish purchased land on Sepulveda Boulevard, and the new church was dedicated in 1961.
In 1976, the third pastor, Father Eugene Linowski, re-ordered the liturgical services to conform with the authentic traditions of the Byzantine Church (according to the Recension as prescribed by Rome). An
icon screen
In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis ( gr, εἰκονοστάσιον) is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. ''Iconostasis'' also refers to a portable icon stand that can be placed a ...
was installed two years later. The screen maintains a traditional aura of mystery that separates the sanctuary from the rest of the church. At St. Mary's the screen is a wrought iron grill with icons painted by local artist Mila Mina. Fr. Eugene Linowski became the first rector of the cathedral, from March to June 1982.
The Eparchy of Van Nuys was established in 1982 with Most Reverend Thomas Dolinay as the first bishop. Father Michael Moran was named the second rector of the cathedral, served as chancellor, and was later named monsignor. Msgr. Moran was the head of the parish for 22 years. In 2004 Father Melvin Rybarczyk was named rector. Father Michael O’Loughlin was made rector September 1, 2019.
In 2010, with the relocation of the eparchial see to Phoenix, Arizona, the Cathedral of St. Mary was assigned the title of ''Proto-Cathedral''.
See also
*
List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
*
List of cathedrals in the United States
References
External links
Official Cathedral Site*
ttp://www.eparchy-of-van-nuys.org/History-Chart.htm The Byzantine Church in the West: The Eparchy of Van Nuys, A Historical OutlineByzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys
{{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, state=collapsed
Metropolis of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church)
Mary
Eastern Catholic churches in California
Cathedrals in Los Angeles
Churches completed in 1961
1960s architecture in the United States
Rusyn-American culture in California
Rusyn-American history
Sepulveda Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles
Eastern Catholic cathedrals in California