Byzantine Bishop Falls Asleep in the Lord

Metropolitan Archbishop

Basil Myron Schott, O.F.M.

Archeparchy of Pittsburgh for the Ruthenians
 
Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him, O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. May He Rest in Peace.
 
In blessed repose, grant, O Lord, eternal rest to your departed servant, the high priest Metropolitan Basil, and remember him forever. Eternal Memory!


I remember His Beatitude Eminence when he came to the seminary for the ordination to subdiaconate for my friend, now Bishop, William Skurla (Eparchy of Passaic). He was present for consecration as Bishop (Eparchy of Van Nuys) and again when Bishop Skurla was transferred to Passaic. Metropolitan Archbishop Schott was always a most dignified gentleman and a humble soul. He never abandoned his Franciscan foundation even after being elevated Eparch and finally as Metropolitan for the Ruthenians. It was the Divine Liturgy and Byzantine priests who help preserve many vocations in the Latin Rite when we were in seminary as the East became a resevoir of orthodoxy and reverent worship despite the nonsense many of us were taught in the classroom. Praised be Jesus Christ for BOTH lungs of His Mystical Body!