As the warm summer air of Chicagoland awaken green mother nature from wintery sleep into beautiful blossoms, faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox community of Palos Park, IL have gathered together in a filled to the brim temple of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Sunday May 19 of 2024 was a special day. It was an honor to welcome into our midst His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, president of the Consistory and ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who has come to bless newly restored and beautified Iconostasis. Icons on our Iconostasis are over one hundred years old. They were transferred from the previous temple of our parish family.  Imagine how many people, how many generations have prayed before these icons. They were definitely in need of restoration. Along with their restoration of the icons the iconostasis was restored and beautified. The specially designed and carved wood was produced in Ukraine but because of the Pandemic and war in Ukraine it took years for it to be brought to the states. Thanks to the courage of one man, who wants to remain anonymous, who traveled to the city of Odessa as it was being shelled by russian aggressor located the wood pieces and moved them to safety of western Ukraine. Later on, he shipped them from Poland to the USA. Then the wood carvings were gold-plated and installed on the Iconostas by craftsman -Victor Burdun. The iconostas shined with beauty for the glory of God and His saints depicted on the icons.

As our pews were filling up with people and kids chatter was bouncing of the walls my spirits were lifted up. I was anxiously waiting for something extraordinary. Expecting the unexpected. His Eminence was greeted by the pastor of our parish - V. Rev. Vasyl Sendeha and V. Rev Peter Levko as well as by the president of the parish council - Subdeacon George Cepynsky, and representative of St. Ann Sisterhood - Lidia Cepynsky. The children with flowers have surrounded His Eminence trying to be first who would give him a flower and greet his Eminence with a smile. His Eminence Daniel has distributed flowers to all of the girls in honor of the Day of Orthodox woman. A group hug followed. The cheerful laughter of kids broke out.  

 Two of our dedicated faithful, Nicklaus Ronsen and David Sendeha were found worthy to be elevated to the order of Reader in the Holy Orthodox Church by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel. The ordination took place, right in the middle of the church. You should have seen the thrilling moment of laying on of hands and prayer exclaimed by the archbishop.

Following the ordination, two young boys Daniel and Maxim were blessed by His Eminence as they start their service as altar boys. The young fellow Lev was Chrismated by His Eminence as He has made a firm decision to follow His dad’s footsteps and convert to the Holy Orthodoxy. The tears of joy in the eyes of the altar servers, the curiosity of the kids, the melodic singing of the choir under the leadership of Sub-deacon George Cepynsky and the excited looks of the worshipers have turned into powerful unstoppable source of spiritually enriched energy. The Christ Himself was there! The Christ was with us we have gathered in His name! 

As our pews were filling up with people and kids chatter was bouncing of the walls my spirits were lifted up. I was anxiously waiting for something extraordinary. Expecting the unexpected. His Eminence was greeted by the pastor of our parish - V. Rev. Vasyl Sendeha and V. Rev Peter Levko as well as by the president of the parish council - Subdeacon George Cepynsky, and representative of St. Ann Sisterhood - Lidia Cepynsky. The children with flowers have surrounded His Eminence trying to be first who would give him a flower and greet his Eminence with a smile. His Eminence Daniel has distributed flowers to all of the girls in honor of the Day of Orthodox woman. A group hug followed. The cheerful laughter of kids broke out.  

 Two of our dedicated faithful, Nicklaus Ronsen and David Sendeha were found worthy to be elevated to the order of Reader in the Holy Orthodox Church by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel. The ordination took place, right in the middle of the church. You should have seen the thrilling moment of laying on of hands and prayer exclaimed by the archbishop.

Following the ordination, two young boys Daniel and Maxim were blessed by His Eminence as they start their service as altar boys. The young fellow Lev was Chrismated by His Eminence as He has made a firm decision to follow His dad’s footsteps and convert to the Holy Orthodoxy. The tears of joy in the eyes of the altar servers, the curiosity of the kids, the melodic singing of the choir under the leadership of Sub-deacon George Cepynsky and the excited looks of the worshipers have turned into powerful unstoppable source of spiritually enriched energy. The Christ Himself was there! The Christ was with us we have gathered in His name! 

The Divine Liturgy followed. Archbishop’s presence is always exceptional and spiritually uplifting. You could hear a pin drop when the time has come during the Divine Liturgy for Him to preach. Archbishop Daniel’s words of wisdom were grasped by the Faithfull in silent stillness. Even the restless kids have paused and attentively listened to the words of their Spiritual Father.  His heartwarming words of encouragement, to live a life to the best of one’s abilities as a wise Christian, who makes the right choices having the free will, touched the souls of many. 

As the Divine Liturgy continued, spiritually uplifted children of our congregation once again adorned the Liturgy with their angelic voices reciting the prayer of Our Father in Ukrainian and English languages. It is an overwhelming feeling of joy, to hear our little parishioners so eagerly and in such piety exclaim their prayers to Our God the Father lead by Pani-matka Olenka Sendeha.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Daniel has greeted V. Rev Peter and PM Maria Levko with their 33^rdAnniversary of ordination of Fr. Peter to the Holy Priesthood. Subdeacon George Cepynsky presented the couple with beautiful bouquet of roses.

After the Divine Liturgy, the celebration continued in the Church Hall, where our parish family feasted upon delicious Lamb and Chicken roast dinner prepared by talented chef Albert and his crew. The food table was heavily loaded. The dessert table provided by the bakers of the parish family was unbelievable! The children had a great time to hunt for some 3000 eggs.  Our dance group of Saturday School “Barvinok” entertained us with great dance performance.

Ms. Patricia Wolsko along with Subdeacon George Cepynsky have presented two of our High School graduates; Michael Supilowski and Antony Sendeha with scholarships from our parish Scholarship fund. This is the second year our humble parish has offered this scholarship to our graduates. It’s our hope to continue this scholarship fund for the years to come.

We bow our head in gratitude to our parish family for their love and dedication. We bow our head in thanksgiving to the Almighty God, praying and asking Him to continue to bless our parish family of Sts. Peter and Paul in Palos Park, IL.

Remaining in the love of our Lord and God Jesus Christ,

Faithful of Sts. Peter and Paul Church