Celebrating the “Spring St. Nicholas” Feast Day

Spiritual Advisor Fr. Val Michlik is establishing a “Spring St. Nicholas Day” at the GCU St. Nicholas of Myra Chapel. Yes, “spring” you read that correct! We are all familiar with the December 6th feast day of St. Nicholas. However, May 9th, is observed in our liturgical calendar as the “Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra to Bari.” This commemoration was established in the life of the church when on May 9, 1087, they solemnly transported the relics of Saint Nicholas into the church of Saint Stephen, not far from the sea in Bari, Italy. 

Since The GCU Chapel is dedicated to this wonderful saint, Fr. Val has proposed that the first Sunday in May be established for GCU members and all the faithful, as an opportunity to gather at St. Nicholas Chapel in Beaver, PA to honor its patron saint.

This initial celebration will be extra special with the blessing of the replica of the Krasny Brod (Красный Брід) Icon of our Lady. Near the Rusyn village of Krasny Brod, there is one of the oldest monasteries of the Byzantine Catholic Church in Slovakia - Monastery of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. For centuries our faithful have gathered at this monastery to honor our Lady of Krasny Brod. The replica icon will be blessed and enshrined on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at St. Nicholas Chapel at 3 pm followed by a festive Divine Liturgy. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy (weather permitting) there will be a procession around the Chapel with the Icon of our Lady. The celebration will continue with the solemn reopening of the downstairs museum. The museum will be open until 5:30 pm for those who would like to visit.

A banquet at Seven Oaks Country Club will follow. Due to the Chapel’s size the event will be on a first come first served basis and requires registration by using the button below. The Liturgical celebration is limited to the first 80 members who register. The banquet is open to all at a cost of $40/person and must be registered and prepaid using the same link below.

Registration for this event is closed!