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The village of Malý Lipník is mentioned for the first time in a hand-written chronicle in 1715. It belonged to Sharysh Zhupa, afterwards to Staro Luboviansky county of the Priashiv district (until 1960), since 1961 it belongs to Vykhodo Slovensko (Eastern Slovak) county, and since 1968 to Staro Luboviansky county, both of Priashiv district/region. In other historic periods the village carried these names; in 1715 Kis Lipnik, in 1786 Lipnik, in 1927 Malý Lipník; in Hungarian Kislipnik, Kisharas.
The population of this village during various historical periods was as follows: 1869-327, 1880-354, 1890-346, 1900-433, 1910418. 1921-435, 1930-406, 1940-415, 1948-455, 1961-427, 1970-420, 1991-479. After the last census we can observe, that the highest number of inhabitants of Malý Lipník there at this time. For the causes of this one has to look for chances of obtaining a job in the village and nearby vicinity. Until now the origins of the village's name has not been pinpointed, but one can assume, that it comes from the word "lypa", a linden tree. Malý Lipník is located in a narrow 4-km long dale of a mountain stream, on both sides of the road, which heads to Poland. To the north from the village flows Poprad river, which is known for its plentiful fish. In this place the river forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. On rudimentary look into the history of the village one can only visualize it as a settlement for shepherds of sheep and cattle and also forest workers. This settlement has gradually grown into a big village. The village already by the end of the 16th century had its parish and matryka(?), which burned down in the 18th century. The new matryka, which is still accessible, was first mentioned in 1833. At the end of the 19th century in Malý Lipník glazing plant was built. Many MaloLipchan were employed there. And this fact assisted the village to advance economically. The glazing plant in Malý Lipník was producing bottles - which in turn were filled with a mineral water-solinka, the spring for which is located between Malý Lipník and Solinka River. During the last decades Malý Lipník has witnessed big emigration of its inhabitants. Poor soil, closing down of the glazing plant caused daily, ever mounting hardships and social problems for the population. To overcome them was very difficult and many decided to emigrate to distant Canada and the US.
At that time the cultural level of the village was very low, with illiteracy in full bloom. This reality applied brakes to any progress in educational attempts. In the middle of the last century (1858) the teacher in Malý Lipník was John Iliashchyk. At that time about 60 children from the age of 6 to 12 attended the school. Many would show up only in winter. Students had to bring the firewood with them if they wished to study in a heated school. After John Iliashchyk the following taught in Malý Lipník: John Kozub (1877) and Avhustyn Stavrovskiy. The latter taught continuously from 1881-1909. The school committee/council attempted to make progress in the village, but it did not find support from the village patrons - Baron Horvat from Plavnitsa and later from the family of Shalamons.
In 1877, the school council consisted of such Malý Lipník residents as: John Chanda, John Geryak, Peter Gladysh, John Hrytsko, Michael Lashchytskiy (Lasky). And in 1881 the following were admitted to the council: Peter Chanda, John Milkosh, Andrew Varlhola and others. In 1888 the school council for the village was lead by a school and cultural activist Rubin Geiza.
In 1907, in Malý Lipník new school was erected from stone in which taught previously mentioned Avhustyn Stavrovskiy. To the distinguished teachers in the village belonged: Rudolf Vrabel, and Havriyil Mlynarich in the 1930's and later – Michael Zavatsky. From the post WWII teachers let's mention Michael Tylishchak, a native son, Stefan Pirosh and Marta Tylishchak. In addition to her teaching work in Malý Lipník, Marta Tylishchak spend a lot of useful time in the development of national art, mainly among its youth. The small circle from Malý Lipník not once distinguished itself in regional competitions, and also at the Svidnyk cultural holiday "Rusyns of Slovakia".
The First World War, just like everywhere else has left its footprint in Malý Lipník. On the front lines 8 young men from Malý Lipník have fallen. Many returned home as invalids. Some were drafted by the Russians and also returned to their native village. The Second World War did not fare better for the inhabitants. After an assault by the partisans on a German column the villagers were persecuted and finally forced/deported from the village. In the 1930's Fedor Zyma was teaching in Malý Lipník. He besides teaching also attempted to spread cultural conscience - organized a choir, propagated fruit growing and lectured on agrarian-farming themes. It was then that a distinguished artist of the time, Aloiz Nevitskiy, settled in the village, and to whom completion of the iconostas/altar in a newly constructed small tserkva/church is credited. Residents would go on pilgrimages to the neighboring villages of: Staryny, Legnava (known for its middle ages monastery of Byzantine architecture), Sulin, Matysova and Udol.
After the Second World War Malý Lipník received a winery(?) and a suburban school, and then in 1947 a vocational school. It was also in 1947 that 72 families from Malý Lipník chose to leave for Ukraine. Folk songs in the village were cultivated by: Nicholas Chanda, Verona Sestokova and John Sestok.
At the present time a sawmill is functioning in the village, which produces boards from neighboring forests. Otherwise Malý Lipník in post WWII has experienced hectic development, village is well spread, a new bituminous road runs through it, a new school was built, cultural hall, a produce store, a tavern, post office also is functioning. Neighborhood is full of recreational houses and a hunting lounge. School teaching only in Slovak. Since the 1989 revolution English is also taught there. It's taught by Sh. Pirosh. Village has been electrified, and the flow of the mountain stream is well controlled. It flows into Poprad River. Inhabitants work on their farms and also in the industrial plants of the area or distant towns of Slovakia. Some work in the Czech Republic where they migrated after WWII.
During the last census 425 declared themselves to be Greek-Catholics, 47 Roman Catholics, 7 undeclared, to Rusyn nationality acknowledged 3 individuals, to Ukrainian 7, and to the Slovak 468 inhabitants.
Translated by Walter Maksimovich from an article in Narodne Novynky
Son of Maly Lipnik immigrants Andrew Antolick and Mary Lukachovsky.
Joe Antolick a native of Hokendauqua, Pennsylvania was 28 years old when he broke into the big leagues in 1944. A catcher for the Philadelphia Blue Jays he made his major league debut on September 20, 1944 in a home game against the Cincinnati Reds at Shibe Park.
Joe was one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues during World War II.
In four games he was 2-for-6 (.333) with a walk and one run scored. In his three appearances as a catcher he handled 10 chances without making an error and participated in one double play.
Antolick died at the age of 86 in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania.
Sister ‘Miriam’ Androsko, OSBM, (1912-1979) born Anna Androsko in Newark, New Jersey the daughter of George Androsko and Mary Haschin (Hashak) a native of Maly Lipnik, Slovakia.
Fr. David Andrew Bachkovsky, (1917-1988) born in Duryea, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, son of Joseph Bachkovsky native of Štefurov, Slovakia; formerly Stefuró in Sáros County and Maria Kraychik Orechovsky nee Osifchin a native of Maly Lipnik, Slovakia; formerly Kis Hars / Kis Lipnik in Sáros County. Fr. David was ordained a Greek (Byzantine) Catholic priest in 1955.
Fr. Sergius Stephen Bachkovsky, O.S.B, (1920-1984) born in Duryea, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, son of Joseph Bachkovsky native of Štefurov (Giraltovce), Slovakia; formerly Stefuró, Sáros County and Maria Kraychik Orechovsky nee Osifchin a native of Maly Lipnik, Slovakia; formerly Kis Hars / Kis Lipnik in Sáros County. Fr. Sergius was ordained a Benedictine priest in 1947.
Sister ‘Mary Anthony’ Julia Minarik, (1910-1975) born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania the daughter of Slovak born Joseph Minarik and Veronica Youpa a native of Maly Lipnik, Slovakia; formerly Kis Hars / Kis Lipnik in Sáros County.
Sister Mary Anthony entered Poor Clare’s Cloistered Monastery in Bordentown, Burlington County, New Jersey on her 21st birthday in 1931, after completing her nurse’s training at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, New York.
Following the nursing profession, she served in the monastery’s infirmary for many years. She also served as mistress of novices in the monastery and was a member of the monastery council.
Several of her cousins were also in religious orders, Father David Andrew Bachkovsky, Father Youpa, Father Sergius Stephen Bachkovsky, and Sister ‘Mary Theresa’ Kawiecki.
Sister Dorothy, this photo was found in a box of old photographs by Mary Youpa Halasz. Mary did not recall how "cousin" Sister Dorothy was related. She may be Sister ‘Mary Theresa’ Kawiecki. If anyone knows who Sister Dorothy was please contact us at
The following article was published Sunday, May 19, 1985 in EASTERN CATHOLIC LIFE
I received a letter from Dr. Gabriel Martyak who is now retired in Florida. The son of the late Fr. Nicholas Martyak, he grew up in Hazelton, Pa. where he and his older brother practiced medicine.
He informs me that last year he visited the old country to look up the, family roots and sent me some pictures from Malý Lipník which I’m using here.
It came to my mind that the old country Eparchial Directory contains the records of parishes, priests and institutions giving a short history on the parishes and a short biography on the priests, so I asked our Chancery Office to send me one. Bishop Michael kindly sent me a Directory of the Presov Eparchy from the year 1909. Here is the short information on Fr. Nicholas Martyak: "Born July 10, 1870 in Vapenik, Sarys County. Ordained to priesthood on September 14, 1902 and appointed Assistant in Sajopetri Hungary. (That time the Hungarian Eparchy didn't exist yet. Sent in 1903 to Lublo-Krempach and on February 24, 1904, Administrator to Malý Lipník. Now in Hazleton, America. Married."
Dr. Gabriel evidently knew that his father��s last parish in Europe was in Malý Lipník and he spent some time there and made pictures. I remember him as a young medic and our daughter, Eve, spent two weeks there one summer. She was invited by the doctor’s sister and that time the parishhouse of St. John’s was very lively. Fr. Nicholas was as friendly as he was big. A heavy-set man with a patriarchal countenance. The present Bishop Bilock was his assistant and his widowed daughter, Pani Anna Maczkow, was his housekeeper because he was a widower Her two daughters and their cousin, JoAnn Jackanich, Monsignor’s daughter, were there too and the young people had a swell time. Eve contracted a strep-throat but medical care was at hand. It was an old-fashioned parochial party I fondly remember from my young years and when I came to Elizabeth I had the pleasure to welcome some of those venerable married priests like Fr. Emil Bunk, Fr. Andrejkovich Fr. Keselak, Fr. Medveczky, Fr. Vislocky, Fr. Papp, Fr. Lukach and Fr. Jackovich. These old times of course are now long passed.
Dr. Gabriel mentions his maternal grandfather, Fr. Janiczky that at one time he was a priest in Velky Sulin…in the directory it states that Stephan Janiczky was born February 18, 1852 in Stelbach. Ordained March 22, 1877 and sent to Homrogd in December 25th. In March 5, 1878 to Toriska and in December 13, 1882 to Velky Sulin. He was Dean Consultor. Married. I remember him as a priest in McAdoo, Pa., a really patriarchal personality beloved by everybody. And so was his lovely wife, Pani Janiczky.
REFLECTIONS
Dr. Martyak’s letter and his photos of Malý Lipník renewed my pleasant impressions of that attractive spot on the banks of the Poprad river. I had a few families from Malý Lipník and nearby Matysova and their children keeping contact with the old country. When I lived in Kamjonka in the summer I was exploring that part of our villages and wondering of their past, how did they settle in this restricted terrain not blessed with natural living advantages.
They evidently belonged to the nearest landlords in the feudal era and lived in the valley providing work and military service to the landlords In nearby Plavec whose castle was built on a steep hill the landlord's duty was to defend the borders which he did with his subjects. In St. Lubovna there also was a castle built on a hill, the walls of which in part still stand and the rooms are used as a museum. From here the Kamjonka volley was defended. In Plavec from the old castle only one wall still stands reminding posterity of the harsh old days.
When I visited Malý Lipník and the vicinity I took from Kamjonka the upper route walking from Kamjonka to Jarabina - Krempach - Sulin Malý Lipník. Below Malý Lipník is Legnava where my pal Vladamir Hromjak lived and with him we often stopped at Malý Lipník where the priest was Aladar Gerbery and the cantor "Red" Vrabel who married Vladamir’s sister Mlika Hromja. In Lagnov the priest was Fr. Alexander Beszkid and the Cantor my, pal's father. We loved these villages in the beautiful valley a real nice place inviting tourists from nearby Poland who came to their summer resort opposite Malý Lipník, Zegestov. There we often met Polish scouts dressed in their uniforms, listened to the open concerts and fraternized with the young folks. The places have good mineral water in Zegestov and Sulin, which seems to recompense the inhabitants for the poor land and products. ‘Especially in Krempach and Sulin, the land is very bare and one wondered how the people existed. But they were strong in faith and faithful to the Church.
That's why they always received priests and to those harsh places the Bishop selected priests from the very young clerks. But evidently many inhabitants tried to seek better living conditions and emigrated to the U.S.A. and the priests often followed them.
Now, conditions have changed and young people with education are seeking positions and leaving the old settlements. But Malý Lipník keeps the old tradition and the church is kept in good order and the priest with the people serve the lord.
Tourists come to see the resorts and visit the nearby Tatra, which by car is only short drive on a good road. Dr. Gabriel didn’t say if he visited the Tatra but if he missed it I’m sure that he might be inclined to make another visit to spend a vacation in the Ruzbach Kupele where the hot mineral baths restores failing human functions.
Index : Joannes Soltis; Franciscus Soltis; Franciscus Mikulik; Henricus Morik; Jacobus Koval; Lucas Hardonik; Daniel Marsinov; Martinus Marcus; Romanus Hnad; Henricus Porhacz; Ladislaus Brat; Ladislaus Lascsekuv; Mathias Demkuv; Ladislaus Csirskeh; Joannes Szokolite; Ladislaus Csundik; Ladislaus Kucsera; Franciscus Szoku; Marcus Havrilik; Mathias Krulcsik; Thomas Havrilik; Simon Brantka; Ladislaus Szvisztak; Petrus Kapal; Joannes Bucsinak; Ladislaus Bratka
This photo may be the family of Stephen Chanda, Joan's father. His name was Joseph *Chanda (Jozef Canda) b. 1849 d. 1923. He was married to Maria Gladis b. 1860 d. 1948. It is also may be the family of Joseph's daughter Maria Canda b. 1896 d. 1980 wife of Stefan **Canda b. 1893 d. 1958.
*Chanda/Canda with the alias surname of Nacsin/Nacin
**Chanda/Canda with the alias surname of Kocsmarcsin
If anyone can identify anyone in the photo please contact us at
Sister ‘Miriam’ Androsko, OSBM, (1912-1979) born Anna Androsko in Newark, New Jersey the daughter of George Androsko and Mary Haschin (Hashak) a native of Maly Lipnik, Slovakia.
Sister ‘Mary Anthony’ Julia Minarik, (1910-1975) born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania the daughter of Slovak born Joseph Minarik and Veronica Youpa a native of Maly Lipnik, Slovakia; formerly Kis Hars / Kis Lipnik in Sáros County. 
Sister Dorothy, this photo was found in a box of old photographs by Mary Youpa Halasz. Mary did not recall how "cousin" Sister Dorothy was related. She may be Sister ‘Mary Theresa’ Kawiecki. If anyone knows who Sister Dorothy was please contact us at
I received a letter from Dr. Gabriel Martyak who is now retired in Florida. The son of the late Fr. Nicholas Martyak, he grew up in Hazelton, Pa. where he and his older brother practiced medicine.
When I visited Malý Lipník and the vicinity I took from Kamjonka the upper route walking from Kamjonka to Jarabina - Krempach - Sulin Malý Lipník. Below Malý Lipník is Legnava where my pal Vladamir Hromjak lived and with him we often stopped at Malý Lipník where the priest was Aladar Gerbery and the cantor "Red" Vrabel who married Vladamir’s sister Mlika Hromja. In Lagnov the priest was Fr. Alexander Beszkid and the Cantor my, pal's father. We loved these villages in the beautiful valley a real nice place inviting tourists from nearby Poland who came to their summer resort opposite Malý Lipník, Zegestov. There we often met Polish scouts dressed in their uniforms, listened to the open concerts and fraternized with the young folks. The places have good mineral water in Zegestov and Sulin, which seems to recompense the inhabitants for the poor land and products. ‘Especially in Krempach and Sulin, the land is very bare and one wondered how the people existed. But they were strong in faith and faithful to the Church.
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