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Recently, Fr. Andrew Nagrant shared some meaningful photos from his family vacation. The second and third pictures capture the "Horizon" of the Eparchy of Parma, located in the southwest corner of Kansas, where the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado converge. The upright marker, while visually striking, is slightly off from the actual spot. The true marker, a US Geological Survey Marker, is shown with the Eparchy of Parma cap strategically placed beside it. This precise location is significant as it marks the intersection of three eparchies: Kansas (Parma), Oklahoma (Pittsburgh), and Colorado (Phoenix). This site beautifully symbolizes the unity and interconnectedness of our faith communities.
The first picture features a cross believed to be near the site of the first Catholic Mass celebrated in the USA by Fr. Juan de Padilla on June 29, 1541. Fr. Padilla, who accompanied Coronado in his quest for gold, celebrated Mass as they crossed the Arkansas River. This historic event is commemorated by a cross erected in 1975, located one mile east of Fort Dodge, KS, along US Hwy 400 at Coronado Cross Park on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.
For Byzantine faithful, these landmarks are more than historical sites; they are spaces that connect us to our rich spiritual heritage and inspire our ongoing journey of faith. They remind us of the enduring presence of faith in our land and the deep roots of our religious traditions.
