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WHEREAS, in 1884, the first group of Maronites settled in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1902, Father Gabriel Korkemoz, the first Maronite Pastor of Pittsburgh, dedicated the first Maronite Church of Saint Anne in the lower Hill District of downtown Pittsburgh; and,
WHEREAS, in 1928, Chorbishop Elias Basil was the only Maronite priest present in Western Pennsylvania. By 1941, many Maronites began moving to the outskirts of Pittsburgh, particularly to the Brookline area. Chorbishop Basil purchased property in Brookline that same year and began to celebrate the Divine Mysteries for the Maronite faithful in the auditorium of Elizabeth Seton High School; and,
WHEREAS, during World War II, Chorbishop Basil made a vow to the Blessed Mother that if she would return all of the men and women from our parish serving in the US Armed Forces safe and unharmed, he would build a church in her honor and name it Our Lady of Victory. The Blessed Mother granted Chorbishop Basil’s request, and all 155 men and women returned from the war unharmed; and,
WHEREAS, a new church was dedicated in 1955 on Dunster Street in Brookline, PA and Chorbishop Basil remained as Pastor until his passing 1957, on the eve of the Assumption of Mary. A shrine to Our Lady of Victory was erected and included all the names of the parishioners who served our great county and returned unharmed; and,
WHEREAS, Our Lady of Victory was served by several priests and in 1997, His Excellency Stephen Hector Doueihi dedicated the new Our Lady of Victory Maronite Center in Scott Township, PA. In 2007, Father Rodolph Wakim assumed the spiritual guidance of Our Lady of Victory, and along with the parishioners began efforts for building a new church; and,
WHEREAS, following several years of debate and investigation, His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour decided to purchase a church and after a search of available properties, the old Saint Pamphilus Church was chosen and Our Lady of Victory parish officially relocated in October 2020. Following six wonderful years at its new location, Our Lady of Victory is celebrating its 125th anniversary; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Our Lady of Victory Maronite Church for its perseverance and dedication; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare October 7, 2026, to be “Our Lady of Victory Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.