St. Stephen Cathedral (Phoenix, Arizona) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St. Stephen Cathedral
St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Cathedral
Front view of the Cathedral
Location in Arizona
33°33′24.36″N 112°02′51.59″W / 33.5567667°N 112.0476639°W / 33.5567667; -112.0476639
Location	8141 N. 16th St. Phoenix, Arizona
Country	United States
Denomination	Catholic Church
History
Founded	1968
Administration
Diocese	Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix

The St. Stephen Cathedral is a special church in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. It belongs to the Ruthenian Greek Catholic faith. This church is part of the larger Catholic Church. It is the main church, or "cathedral," for the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix. An "eparchy" is like a church district, which is led by a bishop.

History of the Cathedral
Gallery
See also

History of the Cathedral

Starting a New Church

Many Byzantine Catholics moved to the western United States from the eastern parts of the country. In Phoenix, they started planning for their own church in 1956. Ten years later, in 1966, they officially asked Bishop Nicholas Elko for a parish. A parish is a local church community.

In 1968, they were allowed to buy the building of a former church. The first church service, called a Divine Liturgy, was held there on Easter Sunday. Bishop Stephen Kocisko officially opened the church on June 28, 1968. It was named after St. Stephen, who was an early Christian martyr. The Rev. Paul Bovankovich became the first leader, or "pastor," of the church. In 1974, a rectory (a house for the priest) and a church hall were built. A columbarium was added in 1991. A columbarium is a place where urns with ashes of deceased people are kept.

Becoming a Cathedral

In 1994, a big earthquake hit Northridge, California. This earthquake damaged the main offices (chancery offices) of the Eparchy of Van Nuys. It also damaged their main church, the Cathedral of St. Mary. Because of this damage, Bishop George Kuzma and his team moved their offices to Phoenix.

Since the bishop's main office was now in Phoenix, St. Stephen's church was named a "pro-cathedral." A pro-cathedral is a church that serves as a temporary cathedral. In 2010, the Eparchy of Van Nuys was officially renamed the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix. At that time, St. Stephen's church became a full "cathedral."

Recent Leaders

In 2016, Father Diodoro Mendoza was appointed as the "rector" and pastor of St. Stephen Cathedral. A rector is a priest in charge of a church. Also in 2016, Bishop John Stephen Pazak became the new bishop, taking over from Bishop Gerald Nicholas Dino. Bishop Dino passed away in November 2020.

Bishop Pazak retired in August 2021 and is now a "Bishop Emeritus." This means he is a retired bishop. From 2018 to 2023, Bishop Thomas Olmsted served as an "Apostolic Administrator." This is a temporary leader appointed by the Pope. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Kurt Burnette to be the Apostolic Administrator for the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix.