As the world was glued to their screens watching the latest world news unfold, they felt turmoil, angst, and stress.  However, in all the chaos, Cincinnati, Ohio was a spot of peace and tranquility.  On June 24^th, the Feast day of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, the Ukrainian Orthodox faithful gathered for Divine Liturgy.  Arriving at a local Antiochian Orthodox parish, graciously lent to the community to utilize on this day, the faithful gathered at the entrance of the church and awaited the arrival the commencement of the day’s celebration.

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA, and Consistory President, arrived to serve Divine Liturgy and minster to the spiritual needs of those who awaited his arrival.

With the faithful surrounding him, Archbishop Daniel began the Liturgy, accompanied by chanters, seminarians of the St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary, Subdeacons Maksym Zhuravchyk and Andrii Vatrich.

The Gospel Reading was from Matthew 7:24-8:4, retelling how the Lord advised His listeners to hear His teachings and follow them, comparing those who do, to a man who builds his home upon a rock that a storm will not damage. He then compared those who do not listen and following His teachings to a man who built his home upon the sand, and when a storm arrived that home fell and was destroyed.

The Gospel concluded by what seemed a simple encounter between Christ and a leper.  The sick man approached Christ and meekly stated, “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.”  Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” (Matthew 8:2-3)

Having concluded the reading and replacing the Gospel Book on the Altar Table, Archbishop Daniel descended from the Altar to stand among the faithful and deliver a moving sermon, focusing on that seemingly simple encounter between God and mankind.  The leper displayed his unwavering faith that this man, Jesus, could heal him from his illness.  He had no doubt, and only asked if the Lord was willing to do so.

God is always willing to come to our aid, but, as that man would have remained ill to the end of his life had he not had the courage to approach Christ, worship Him, and ask for His assistance, so we must recognize our own illness – of body, mind, or spirit, and come to God and be willing to allow Him to heal us.  For himself, Archbishop Daniel stated, “I choose to be healed by the Lord.”  He continued, stating that is always willing and waiting for us to come to Him.  The next move is ours.

The Divine Liturgy continued with the faithful bowing their heads and praying for peace in the world, a cessation of aggression in Ukraine, healing for those who are ill, and eternal rest for all those who have reposed in the Lord.  Over 70 faithful of Ukrainian, Georgian and Antiochian roots worshipped the Lord together.  A small microcosm of the world, gathered to share joy in Christ, and be illumined by His light.

With conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence blessed the members of the Ukrainian Orthodox community with a gift of an icon of the Metropolitans of Kyiv.  The icon would serve to remind the parish of their roots, and that the Church to which they belong has a long and illustrious history, which is now theirs to preserve and to grow.

As the faithful approached to venerate the Cross, Archbishop Daniel handed each a commemorative icon with a prayer on the reverse side.  They would cherish this memento of this wonderful day, which had not yet concluded, but, continued with the Baptism of 2-year old Alexander.  As the young child was baptized and brought into the fold, and the loving arms of the Church, the congregation rejoiced along with the angels who sang in Heaven.

Gathering in the parish hall for lunch, His Eminence took a moment to explain to the children the beautiful tradition of the bread and salt with which he was greeted.  This is an ancient tradition, where a bishop is welcomed to a church with a loaf of bread with a salt cellar placed on an embroidered towel.  In the Old Testament in Leviticus 2:13, the Lord instructs the Israelites that they shall season every gift of their grain offerings with salt.  In the New Testament the symbology has its origins in the words of Christ when he said, “I am the bread of life” and “You are the salt of the earth.”  As the children wide-eyed watched him, he broke off a piece, dipped it in the salt and ate.  The children laughed as he offered them the bread, and they followed suit, taking the bread, dipping it in the salt and eating.

Having blessed the food prepared for lunch, His Eminence spent some precious time with the community which had gathered not only for a single service, but, to request the formation of a Mission parish within the omophor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.  With such committed people, many hailing from Sumy and Novokahovka, Kherson and Lviv, Ternopil and other regions of Ukraine, filled with faith and desire to serve the Lord, the prospect is good that they shall indeed be able to form a mission parish and serve the community of Cincinnati, Ohio and the surrounding metropolitan area.  Aiding the community as they become established is the local chapter of the Ukrainian Women’s League of Cincinnati. 

With smiles and assurances of continued prayers for each other, the congregation bid temporary farewell to Archbishop Daniel.  His Eminence promised to keep them all in his prayers, and stated that he eagerly anticipated their next meeting, in the newest Mission Parish of the UOC of the USA.