Their performing careers began very early in life, Fedoryka said, with their mother taking them to perform at Rotary Clubs, churches, nursing homes, and more.
Fedoryka shared how their mother used to say: “Your talent is not for you, it’s a gift from God.”
“So,” he went on, “your job is to do something beautiful and to play to the best of your abilities for the glory of God. But it’s not for [your] glory, it’s a gift to make people happy and you don’t get to have the satisfaction of knowing whether or not you converted somebody or changed something. You’re the one that’s planting and someone else will reap.”
The brothers started the band 18 years ago, while they were both still in the seminary. Though they both ended up discerning out and are now each married with children, there is still a very real connection between how they create music and perform and their mission to bring others to God.
To them, music is about connection. Their desire to connect with audiences is why they dedicate hours on end after each show to meet and speak with their audiences.
“We do autographs after every show,” Fedoryka said. “And that’s where we can really make that connection. I always wear a cross, so I make sure that cross is always showing. So, there’s no mistake if you want to attribute our excellence to anything other than Christ.”
Musician Knights
Both brothers are Knights of Columbus, as was their father. So, performing at the Knights Supreme Convention was something that felt long in coming.
According to Fedoryka, what drew them in was the Knights’ dedication to defending unborn life in the pro-life movement and in helping widows and orphans.
“I was always so moved by how many sonograms they would buy for pregnancy centers,” he said.
To Fedoryka, both music and the Knights are about forming communities centered on God.
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“Music is meant to be unifying. Not just sitting down and watching and crossing your arms, but you’re participating, you’re part of this,” he said. “I think that translates to everything because if you are in a parish, you’re not just showing up and just sitting there with your arms crossed. No, you’re part of it. And that’s what the Knights are about. They’re like, we’re part of this parish, we’re part of this community. And that’s the way we see music, if you’re here, you’re part of this show, whether you want to be or not.”
Every person is ‘unrepeatable’
One element that defines a Scythian performance is its distinct and infectious energy. Rather than just playing a set of songs, Scythian truly creates the feeling of being at a small-town folk festival or Irish pub.
According to Fedoryka, their faith is why they bring such energy to every performance.
“My mom taught us that if one person shows up to your show, they’re unrepeatable and they’re eternal, and you owe it to give 110% if it’s one or 100,000 people,” Fedoryka said.
“And that is what people are most touched about, that we give everything no matter what,” he added. “We’ve closed out the mainstage at World Youth Day for 300,000 people and literally the next show I think we had 50 when we came back to the States.”