Amidst the bright light of midsummer and the spiritual radiance of divine grace, the faithful of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio gathered in joy and prayer to celebrate their Parish Patronal Feast Day - honoring the holy and glorious leaders of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul. This sacred occasion was made even more memorable this year with the baptism and chrismation of a newly born child of God, Anthony Zomchak, son of parish priest Rev. Fr. Mykola Zomchak and Dobrodiyka Maria.

On Sunday, July 20, the parish welcomed with spiritual joy and filial love His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, spiritual father of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and President of the Consistory. Making a long journey from the Metropolia Center in South Bound Brook, NJ, Archbishop Daniel arrived to share in the feast day celebration and to personally welcome young Anthony into the loving embrace of Christ’s Holy Church.

The annual feast day of the parish serves as a powerful reminder of the missionary zeal, unwavering faith, and sacrificial love of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, chosen by Christ Himself to guide the infant Church. These pillars of faith continue to inspire generations of Orthodox Christians to walk in the footsteps of the Gospel, proclaiming the Good News through word and deed.

This year’s feast was graced with the presence of visiting clergy, including: Rev. Fr. Volodymyr Yavorskyi of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Portland, Oregon, who traveled with his wife Ginny and their sons Michael and Peter, to participate in the baptism and the feast before joining the upcoming Mommy & Me, Daddy & Me Camp at All Saints Camp; Rev. Fr. Sviatoslav Hot, together with wife Dobrodiyka Victoria and their sons Arseniy and Elijah, also traveled to Youngstown to join the sacred celebrations from Maplewood, NJ; Very Rev. Fr. Milorad Orlic of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Rev. Fr. Yurii Bobko with his wife dodrodiyka Olha and their sons Ethan and Samuel, who traveled to the state of Ohio from Lyndora, PA.

On the eve of the parish’s feast day, the church was filled with awe and sacred anticipation as Archbishop Daniel presided over the Holy Mystery of Baptism and Chrismation, bestowing new life upon the newly born servant of God, Anthony. Carried by his godparents, Rev. Fr. Yuriy Bobko and Victoria Hot, the infant was immersed in the waters of regeneration. As the holy prayers echoed through the temple, Archbishop Daniel called upon the grace of the Holy Spirit: “O Master and Lord, look down from heaven and bless this child. Enrobe him in the light of Your countenance. Strengthen him against every evil influence. Let him grow to be a vessel of joy, a beacon of hope, a child of light, and a servant of truth.”

Pausing throughout the baptism, Archbishop Daniel turned to the nearly 100 parishioners and guests in attendance, offering spiritual insights into the sacred mysteries being celebrated. He reminded the faithful of the foundational role that baptism plays in the life of every Orthodox Christian - a personal Pentecost, an entry into the Kingdom of God, and the moment we are called by name to become children of the Light.

The following morning, the Divine Liturgy of the Feast was celebrated with deep solemnity and spiritual joy. At the doors of the church, Mr. Charles Woloschak, Parish Board President, together with Fr. Mykola, welcomed Archbishop Daniel with traditional bread and salt. Fr. Mykola expressed heartfelt gratitude for His Eminence’s pastoral care and implored his prayers for both the founders and benefactors of the parish, as well as its present and future generations.

During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel blessed the faithful with the Trikiri and Dikiri, explaining the meaning of the triple candle (symbolizing the Holy Trinity) and the double candle (symbolizing the dual nature of Christ—fully divine and fully human).

In his sermon, Archbishop Daniel reflected on the legacy of the Holy Apostles and their willingness to be transformed by Christ: “Saint Peter denied Christ, but repented and was restored. Saint Paul persecuted the Church, but was converted and became its greatest preacher. What does this teach us? That no past is greater than God’s mercy, and no weakness is beyond His grace. We too are called to rise, to follow, to proclaim - not only with our voices but with our lives.”

He added: “With great grace comes great responsibility. If we confess Christ with our lips, let us love Him with our hearts and serve Him with our lives. Let the children of this parish not only hear the Gospel but see it lived out in the faithfulness of their parents, their clergy, and their community.”

At the culmination of the Divine Liturgy, a moment of deep emotion unfolded. Archbishop Daniel handed the sacred chalice to Fr. Mykola, entrusting him with the Eucharist so that he might commune his son Anthony for the very first time. The child who had just been baptized the day prior now received the fullness of the Church’s mysteries, entering into communion not only with Christ but with all the faithful present.

As the faithful approached the chalice, the choir chanted with conviction: “Let us love one another so that with one mind we may confess: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” The unity of the Church was felt in every heart - a unity in Christ, a unity in love.

Following the Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel offered special prayers and words of gratitude to Fr. Mykola, commemorating the fourth anniversary of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood. A true spiritual son of the Church, Fr. Mykola continues to serve with humility, compassion, and zeal.

The celebration continued with a joyful parish luncheon, prepared with love by the faithful of the community. Two days of fellowship - first for the baptism, then for the feast day - wove together the lives of parishioners and guests in a bond of Christian love and gratitude.

The events of this weekend were more than a celebration - they were a living icon of the Church in action: a parish alive with faith, welcoming a new member into Christ’s Body, honoring its spiritual heritage, and joyfully serving the Lord.

In a world often starved of sacred meaning, the Ukrainian Orthodox community in Youngstown, Ohio, stands as a witness to the beauty of tradition, the power of sacrament, and the enduring presence of Christ among His people.

May Saints Peter and Paul intercede for this parish family!

May young Anthony grow in wisdom, stature, and grace!

And may the Church of Christ continue to be the refuge of joy, truth, and eternal hope!