Saint Anthony's is a relatively small, multi-ethnic community, with a healthy mix of Orthodox-from-birth members and converts to the faith. Our priest, Fr. Bogdan Bucur, is a native Romanian who came to America in 2000, completed his graduate education in Theology at Marquette University, and is now teaching Bible and Patristics at Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh.

The mission of our Church is as it has always been: to care for the people of God and the community of Butler; to embody Christ's teachings through the careful practice of prayer, study, fasting, almsgiving, and hospitality; to proclaim the fullness of the Orthodox faith to the city of Butler and its surrounding areas.

The patron saint of our community is Saint Anthony the Great, the fourth-century "father of monasticism." While his figure is usually associated with the monastic life, all of us can in fact learn from him. On his icon are inscribed words of Saint Anthony that help and inspire us in our attempt to train ourselves as disciples of Jesus Christ:

I saw the snares of the devil all over the earth, and I said, Who possibly can avoid them? And I heard a voice saying, "Humility"!

April 25, 1948
Syrian Orthodox Church Association is created with the intention of starting a church in Butler, PA
 
1957-1958
Weekly services are held in the Syrian Hall. Fr. Alexander Curry and the Butler community discuss plans for the construction of a church. Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) gives his blessing for a church to be started in Butler, with the name of Saint Anthony.
 
1958
Vespers is held at Saint Peter and Paul Church in Lyndora on November 2. A combined church service with the Ukranian faithful is held on Palm Sunday (April 26, 1959) at Saints Peter and Paul Ukranian Orthodox Church.
 
June 18, 1961
Ground broken at the church's current location. The church hall first used for meetings in 1962. Church services are also held in the hall twice a month.
 
July 5, 1970
Fr. James Deep ordained to the priesthood and assigned to our church. First Divine Liturgy is celebrated at Saint Anthony on July 12.
 
April 25, 1948
Syrian Orthodox Church Association is created with the intention of starting a church in Butler, PA
 
1957-1958
Weekly services are held in the Syrian Hall. Fr. Alexander Curry and the Butler community discuss plans for the construction of a church. Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) gives his blessing for a church to be started in Butler, with the name of Saint Anthony.
 
1958
Vespers is held at Saint Peter and Paul Church in Lyndora on November 2. A combined church service with the Ukranian faithful is held on Palm Sunday (April 26, 1959) at Saints Peter and Paul Ukranian Orthodox Church.

June 18, 1961
Ground broken at the church's current location. The church hall first used for meetings in 1962. Church services are also held in the hall twice a month.
 
July 5, 1970
Fr. James Deep ordained to the priesthood and assigned to our church. First Divine Liturgy is celebrated at Saint Anthony on July 12.
 
1972-1973
Building of the parish home at the south end of the church.

October 13, 1974
Metropolitan Philip consecrates the sanctuary.
 
1992
Fr. Patrick Reardon is appointed to serve as the second priest of Saint Anthony.

1999
Fr. Gregory Long is ordained to the Holy Priesthood and is appointed to serve at Saint Anthony.

February 13, 2010
Fr. Gregory Long is elevated to the rank of archpriest.

August 2010
Fr. Bogdan Bucur is appointed to serve at Saint Anthony.  First Divine Liturgy is celebrated at Saint Anthony on August 22.