Потрійне святкування в Українській Православній Цекрві св. Івана Хрестителя у с. Джонсон Сіті штату Нью-Йорк

Initially parish community gathered together to celebrate its 98th Anniversary Celebration and 39th Anniversary of Consecration of Metropolitan Antony. The day began with sunny morning and everyone felt like they were in the right place and in the right time. All children in anticipation to meet and greet His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Eminence Archbishop Antony assembled at the narthex of the church in Ukrainian Embroidered outfits with flowers and smiles.

The hierarchs arrived with Fr. Taras and Dobrodiyka Sonia Udod from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Protodeacon Pavlo Vysotskyi and seminarians: Subdeacon Andrii Akulenko, Subdeacon Mykola Stefanyk, Subdeacon Yurii Izhyk, Marian Meleshko, Bohdan Bodnar, Marian Koval, Mykhailo Stasiv.

The Sunday School children greeted our hierarchs with flowers, traditional fresh karavay bread and salt, followed by a greeting of parish council president Brian Baxendale. Our parish pastor Fr. Ivan Synevskyy together with Protopresbyter Myron Oryhon and V. Rev. Taras Udod welcomed the hierarchs. Fr. Ivan thanked Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel for their prayers and guidance and asked them to continue to pray for the parish family so that we may follow the Commandments of God with great desire and love. Metropolitan Antony responded how he is enjoying the come back to the parish where he served after Fr. Frank Lawryk reposed in the Lord in 1987.

The liturgy was beautiful with the hymns sang by our parish choir under the direction of Julie Marra and complimented by protodeacon Paul’s bold voice. The altar was filled with 8 altar servers, seminarians and clergy.

During the small entrance the hierarchs surprised everyone with the special moment when they called upon our parish priest Fr. Ivan to come forward for elevation prayer to protopriest and awarded him with a gold cross. Fr. Ivan is a priest for 14 years and 12 years of which are served in our parish.

As the service continued in both English and Ukrainian languages, after the gospel readings His Eminence Archbishop Daniel invited us to reflect upon the task of Christians to respond to the Christ’s call to be the fishers of men. He said that our true liturgy starts as we go out to our homes, work or school to show our Christian heart and readiness to follow Christ. The archbishop emphasized that our true enemy is inside of us. We must show our true faith in actions so that others may recognize it and follow Christ. Archbishop Daniel said: “Bring your family, bring your friends to church, so that your centennial celebration may truly be the celebration when you become the fishers of men.”

The litany of catechumens was highlighted by participation of a family of 5 who were blessed by Archbishop Daniel with the prayer for catechumens. His Eminence Metropolitan Antony prayed for departed parish members, benefactors, founding members and clergy who have served in our parish. The metropolitan also asked God for protection and freedom of our families and friends who are in Ukraine, for the wellbeing of our parishioners and others.

After the Divine Liturgy Fr. Ivan greeted Metropolitan Antony with the 39^th Anniversary of his hierarchical consecration and thanked the hierarchs for their trust and prayers by offering elevation to the protopriest. The following parishioners were recognized with Hramotas (Certificates of Appreciation) for their exemplary service: Dr. Peter A. Hatala, William Klish and Nancy Tarcha.

The service concluded with the traditional prayer for Ukraine. The parishioners were able to greet their pastor as they came to venerate the Holy Cross and received a blessing and an icon of Protection of Mother of God of Ukrainian people from Archbishop Daniel.

Our parish hall, which is dedicated to all soldiers who came back from World War II, or simply, Memorial Center was filled with parishioners and guests for a warm meal prepared by our St. Mary Sisterhood. It was truly a blessing to celebrate all three reasons for the festivities, recognize exemplary members who showed their faith in action, and receive guidance, prayers and blessing from our beloved hierarchs.