Byzantine archbishop focused on people

The Most Rev. Judson Michael Procyk, head of the nation's Byzantine-Ruthenian Church, died Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at his North Side home. He was 70.

Archbishop Procyk was the third archbishop of Pittsburgh and the metropolitan for the Byzantine-Ruthenian Rite Province in the United States. There are about 35,000 members in the Pittsburgh Archeparchy, and 150,000 members nationwide.

Speaking on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Bishop Donald Wuerl called Archbishop Procyk 'a pastorally gifted servant of the Lord.'

'His understanding of the role of the Eastern Churches in the Church Universal has enriched all of us in southwestern Pennsylvania,' Wuerl said.

A Uniontown native born in 1931, Archbishop Procyk studied theology at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh. He became an ordained priest in 1957 and an ordained bishop in February 1995.

Archbishop Procyk was appointed archbishop by Pope John Paul II in November 1994 and was installed in February 1995. He succeeded the Most Rev. Thomas V. Dolinay, who died a year earlier.

He served slightly more than two decades as rector of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall.

The Byzantine Catholic Rite, although under the leadership of Pope John Paul II, adheres to the Eastern Orthodox ritual and liturgy.

When Archbishop Procyk took over, the archdiocese was facing many challenges, including monetary shortages and dwindling numbers of churchgoers.

'When he came into our Church as the head of the Church, the diocese was in disarray,' said the Rev. Michael Wytish, communications director for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.

An intelligent man, Archbishop Procyk was able to accomplish so much, partly from his talents at working with others, said the Rev. Joseph Jugan, pastor of St. Michael Church in Canonsburg, Washington County, and one of Archbishop Procyk's closest friends.

'He was multi-talented, and he loved people and he knew how to handle people,' said Jugan, who met the archbishop about 50 years ago while attending seminary together.

The archbishop loved people so much, he turned down two opportunities to become a bishop because he preferred parish work, Jugan said.

Outside of the church, Archbishop Procyk was an avid sports fan who attended three Steelers Super Bowl championships and was a regular bowler and golfer, Jugan said.

'He was a good sportsman,' Jugan said. 'There's so many good memories of him - going to the ball games together, golfing together.'

He is survived by a sister, Ida Procyk of Uniontown.

The archbishop will lie in state Saturday and Sunday at the cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall.

On Saturday, viewing hours will be from noon to 9 p.m., with funeral services at 2 p.m. On Sunday, viewing will be from 1 to 9 p.m., with funeral services at 7 p.m.

The Divine Liturgy will be held in the cathedral at 10:30 a.m. Monday, with interment following at Mt. St. Macrina Cemetery in Uniontown.