LYNDORA — Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 21 Evergreen St., will have distinguished guests to help the church celebrate the 100th year of its existence.

As part of the event, the church’s pastor, Rev. Yurii Bobko, will celebrate the Friday Vesper service Sept. 16 with Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Hierarchs, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Antony and his Eminence Archbishop Daniel.

The theme for the celebration is “Peace and Love in the World.”

The public is invited to the service, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

“In the Orthodox Church, the day begins when the sun goes down. It begins the liturgical cycle,” Bobko said.

“It’s preparation for the daily liturgy, creation, sin and salvation in Christ. It prepares us for sleep and the dawn of the day to come,” he said.

Following the service, Saints Peter and Paul parishioners will sponsor a wine-and-cheese reception for visitors and family in the dining hall of the Ukrainian Hall.

On Sept. 17, a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy will take place at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the visiting hierarchs, along with Bobko officiating. Seminarians from the St. Sophia Seminary in Somerset, N.J., will be in attendance at both services.

“They will be leading the Divine Liturgy as Hierarchs. With them present, the service will be different. It will be more complex and more festive,” said Bobko.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a luncheon will be held at 1 p.m. at the Lake Arthur Country Club, 255 Isle Road. The luncheon is by reservation only. Reservations must be made by Sept. 8 by calling 724-290-3809.

Bobko said Saints Peter and Paul Church chose the theme of “Peace and Love in the World” during the ongoing war in Ukraine because the church is trying to connect to the situation in the world.

“As Christians, we are supposed to be in unity and love with one another. That’s why we call and proclaim peace and love,” he said.

He added the church will continue its relief efforts for the people in Ukraine during the war and after its conclusion.

“After the war’s end, we understand Ukraine will be suffering. We hope and pray this war ends as soon as possible. We need to help with the reconstruction to get things back to normal,” Bobko said.

According to the Lyndora church history, Ukrainians from the Carpathian Mountain region and Galacia began emigrating to Western Pennsylvania. Thousands of Ukrainian emigrants arrived in Butler and Lyndora to work in the steel, coal, railroad and auto industries.

Between 1919 and 1920, Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church was established. Ukrainians bought property and began construction of the church, which was completed in 1922.

Between 1938 and 1940, the mortgage was paid, the church was repainted and icons were installed in the iconostasis, a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary.

Between 1968 and 1973, the altar and entrance were expanded, and a new choir loft was added. The bell tower and original rectory were razed.

Between 1992 and 2001, another mortgage was taken out to purchase adjoining properties for parking, and Ukrainian Hall’s second floor was remodeled.

In 2018, another mortgage was taken out to replace the roofs of the church and hall and the church interior was repainted and new carpeting installed in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the church.

Today the church numbers 60 in its congregation.

Bobko was named pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in January 2020, but soon found his Sunday services sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But today, he said, “All services are back to normal and in church without any special restrictions. All people are welcome to visit and experience the Orthodox service.”

Services are at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. Sundays and during the week during special feast days.

Bobko and his wife, Olha, have an 18-month-old son, Ethan, and are expecting their second child this month.