Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral

“A beacon of faith,” whispered old Mrs. Kovac, adjusting her headscarf. “That’s what Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral has always been for us.” We stand before Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Carteret, New Jersey. This magnificent structure has served as a spiritual anchor for the Ukrainian Orthodox community for over a century. The story of Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral begins in 1909. Immigrants, primarily from Galicia, now Eastern Poland and Western Ukraine, established St. Demetrius Church. It was chartered in 1910 as the St. Demetrius Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church. The church’s consecration took place on May 16th of that year, led by Bishop Soter Ortynsky, the first Greek Catholic hierarch in the United States. A significant shift occurred in 1927 when the parish voted to leave the Greek Catholic diocese. They joined the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In 1931, Rev. Dr. Joseph Zuk, soon to be Bishop, became the pastor of Saint Demetrius. His consecration took place in 1932, and he used the rectory as his residence and office until his death in 1934. Father John Hundiak’s election to the pastorate in 1932 marked a period of growth. His fifty-year tenure saw the establishment of several organizations, including the Sisterhood of the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the St. Demetrius Men’s Club. These groups enriched parish life by upholding Ukrainian Orthodox traditions. The Pavilion, built in 1940, initially served as a church hall. It now houses the Men’s Club and a renovated hall for various activities. During World War II, over 300 members of Saint Demetrius served in the armed forces. Fourteen made the ultimate sacrifice. The St. Demetrius Ukrainian Community Center, built in 1955, provided more space for the growing community with church school rooms, a banquet hall, and a kitchen. In 1970, Father John Hundiak’s consecration as Bishop elevated Saint Demetrius to Cathedral status. He later became Archbishop Mark, Vicar of the Metropolitan. Father Taras Chubenko’s ordination in 1980 brought him to Saint Demetrius, where he eventually became pastor and later received the title of Protopresbyter. Matushka MaryAnn’s establishment of a food pantry in the 1990s demonstrated the church’s commitment to community outreach. The cathedral celebrated its centennial in 2009 with renovations, new icons, and landscaping. Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral has witnessed significant historical events and continues to thrive as a spiritual home.