Greek Catholic Union Donates $100,000 to SS. Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary

Online, January 30, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The 56th Annual Saint Nicholas Celebration to benefit Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary was held on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at Saint John Cathedral Center, 210 Greentree Road in Munhall, Pennsylvania. During the program, George Juba, GCU President and CEO, presented an educational grant of $100,000.00 to Archbishop William C. Skurla of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh for the SS. Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary.

In honor of Saint Nicholas, the Patron Saint of the Byzantine Catholic Church, the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and the Greek Catholic Union (GCU) hold this annual event to offset the costs of educating students entering or currently attending the seminary. Since the event's inception in 1961, the GCU has donated more than $2.6 million.

Event attendees were asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy suitable for a child up to age 12, to be donated to the Salvation Army's 'Treasures for Children' program. As in previous years, the toys were donated in blessed memory of Archbishop Basil M. Schott. Since 2010, more than 800 families have benefitted from the toys collected at the Saint Nicholas event.

"The Saint Nicholas Celebration is an awesome showcase of fraternalism and the sentiment of giving," said Christie Petty, Fraternal Director of the GCU. "Our Byzantine Catholic parishioners are not only helping the seminary but also many children in need this season."

The 57th Annual Saint Nicholas Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2013. It will again be held at Saint John Cathedral Center, 210 Greentree Road in Munhall, Pennsylvania.