BY JANE DANCHISEN PITTMAN

Volunteer Samantha Lee, granddaughter of St. Mary parishioner Elaine Roth, serves a perch dinner at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church. (Photo by Jane Danchisen Pittman)

MARBLEHEAD – Delicious Lake Erie yellow perch, cod, shrimp, and chicken tender dinners are back by popular demand at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Marblehead on Friday, July 10 and Friday, August 14 from 4 – 7 p.m. Lakeview dining and takeout dinners are prepared to order and include pierogi or french fries, cole slaw, and rolls and butter. Dinners range from $12 to $22. Ala carte items are available. Homemade desserts and tickets for raffle baskets may also be purchased.

According to Father Joseph Repko, perch is the biggest seller because it is Lake Erie yellow perch. He noted that St. Mary parishioner and area chef, John “J” Bou-Sliman, oversees food preparation. Proceeds benefit the St. Mary Marblehead Building Fund. Father Repko also announced that 2027 will be a milestone year for the parish.

“We will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the church and the 130th anniversary of the parish,” he said.

St. Mary Marblehead was founded in 1897 and has had three locations in the village. It is the oldest Ruthenian parish in the Eparchy of Parma. Ruthenians are immigrants from the Carpathian Mountains in what is now eastern Slovakia, western Ukraine, and southeast Poland – the homeland of many area residents. The current church was dedicated in 1977 by Bishop Emil Mihalik. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1976 by Father Frank Korba.

While Byzantine Catholics are in full communion with the Pope of Rome, they trace their heritage to Byzantium, capital of the Byzantine Empire (present-day Istanbul). The Byzantine Church is similar to the Russian Orthodox Church in liturgy, sacraments, and church traditions.

St. Mary Marblehead has many ongoing activities. The annual Fall Craft Show will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, and features vendors, food, and music. Rentals of two lakefront halls are available for wedding receptions; graduation, anniversary and birthday parties; family reunions; retreats, and more. The church’s newest cookbook, “All things New,” is for sale for $20. The title is a reflection of the Scripture when Jesus said “Behold, I am making all things new” from Revelation 21:5. The ethnic cookbook is a compilation of 300 recipes from three cookbooks that were published decades earlier. It is dedicated to the Ladies Aid Society for their many years of service. The cookbook preserves family recipes for future generations and includes favorites like beet horseradish, paska (Easter bread), and nut and poppy seed bread.

St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church is located at 505 E. Main St., adjacent to the historic Marblehead Lighthouse. Divine Liturgy is celebrated Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. All are welcome! For more information, visit stmarymarblehead.com or contact Father Repko at frrepko@ameritech.net or 419-967-7398.