On November 4th, 2012 in honor of the Feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, the St. Luke’s Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Warners, NY was blessed by the Archpastoral visit of His Grace Bishop Daniel, the Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy our hierarch braved the elements and the gas shortages in his NY/NJ Metropolitan area to be with the faithful of St Luke’s parish and our guests on this special occasion that brought together the Ukrainian Orthodox clergy of all neighboring parishes.

While it was cold outside the atmosphere within the walls of the temple was filled with warmth and light as His Grace addressed the clergy and faithful in His Archpastoral Greeting and passed on the blessing of our Eparchial Bishop, Metropolitan-elect Antony.

The Divine Liturgy that followed the greeting was truly uplifting.  Fr. Borislav Kroner, Pastor of St Luke’s UOC, Fr. Yuriy Kasyanov, Pastor of Holy Trinity in Buffalo, NY, Fr. Ivan Semko from St’s Peter and Paul in Herkimer, NY, Fr. Ihor Krekhovetsky, Pastor of Stain Mary Protectress in Rochester NY, Fr. Ivan Synevskyy of St. John the Baptist in Johnson City NY, newly ordained Fr. Deacon Andiry Matlak, Seminarians and altar servants gathered around the Holy Altar as His Grace Bishop Daniel sent up His Archpastoral prayers for all the clergy and the people and all those who have been effected by hurricane Sandy.  In the sermon His Grace talked about the importance of doing good works for ones neighbor and community and warned against selfishness that is unfortunately wide spread in these troubled times.

Divine Liturgy was followed by the blessing of the newly restored Church Hall, which suffered a tragic roof collapse two years ago. His Grace thanked all the people who worked so hard in the construction of the hall, breezeway and new pavilion especially recognizing the efforts of Peter Tymchenko, Gregory Zownirenko and Valentina Zownirenko by presenting them with hramota’s for their work in the reconstruction project.