In the sacred embrace of the Chapel of the Three Holy Hierarchs at St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary, the hearts of the faithful swelled with reverence and joy on Saturday, February 15, 2025. This day, rich in spiritual meaning, marked both the first day of the Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord and the continued celebration of the Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs - Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. On this blessed occasion, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA witnessed a profound moment of apostolic succession as Archbishop Daniel, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, ordained Deacon Maksym Zhuravchyk to the Holy Priesthood.

The Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Archbishop Daniel in concelebration with the seminary faculty and local clergy from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, was a testimony to the unity and continuity of the Church. Faithful parishioners, seminarians, and friends of St. Sophia Seminary gathered in the chapel, their prayers and hymns lifting up the sacred space with heavenly harmony.

As Archbishop Daniel entered the temple, seminarians Marian Koval and Mykhailo Stasiv welcomed him, calling upon him to remember in his prayers the faculty, student body, and faithful who had come to witness this solemn event. Their voices resonated with the deep understanding that this ordination was not merely a ceremonial rite, but a fulfillment of Christ’s call to serve His flock with love and sacrifice.

Following the chanting of the Gospel, the faithful listened attentively as Protopresbyter Stephen Hutnick delivered a sermon filled with words of encouragement and profound spiritual guidance. Addressing the soon-to-be-ordained Father Maksym, he spoke of the sacred responsibility of the priesthood, emphasizing that to stand before the altar of Christ is to embrace a life of self-offering and self-sacrifice.

"A priest is called not to serve himself, but to lay down his life for his flock, just as Christ gave Himself for the salvation of all. The vineyard of the Lord requires laborers who are willing to serve with humility, love, and unwavering dedication."

These words resonated deeply in the heart of Deacon Maksym, who stood before the congregation, prepared to take the next step in his spiritual journey.

Then came the most sacred moment - the ordination itself. As Protodeacon Pavlo Vysotskyi intoned the solemn command: “Command! Command! Command, Most Holy Master!”, Deacon Maksym stepped forward. With three profound prostrations, he approached the holy altar, guided by the senior clergy of the seminary, circling the altar three times in reverence.

At that moment, as Archbishop Daniel placed his hands upon Deacon Maksym’s head, the eternal words of ordination rang forth, invoking the grace of the Holy Spirit to descend upon him:

"The Divine Grace, which always heals that which is infirm and completes that which is lacking, ordains the most devout Deacon Maxym to the Priesthood!"

And in that sacred instant, Deacon Maksym became Father Maksym, joining the ranks of the holy priesthood in the unbroken apostolic tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The mystery of the laying-on of hands, a practice stretching back to Christ’s own disciples, now continued in the Church of Constantinople, the Church of Ukraine, and the Orthodox faithful of the United States.

Newly-ordained Father Maksym Zhuravchyk received from the hands of Archbishop Daniel the precious Body of Christ, holding it in veneration behind the altar - his first moment as a priest entrusted with the sacred mysteries. His hands, now consecrated to serve at the Lord’s Table, trembled with awe as he stood before Christ Himself, offering his life in complete devotion.

The newly-ordained priest then distributed the Holy Eucharist to the faithful gathered in prayer, their eyes glistening with tears of gratitude. Following the Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel, in the presence of Metropolitan Antony, presented Father Maksym with his ordination certificate, marking his entry into the priesthood as a shepherd of Christ’s flock.

With joy radiating from his heart, Father Maksym was given a blessing to bless candles for the faithful, a symbol of the Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord - the light of Christ illuminating the souls of His people. His first priestly blessing, given in humility and love, was a moment of grace for all who had gathered to witness his ordination.

In his address to the gathered faithful, Archbishop Daniel reflected on the sacred duty of the priesthood, reminding everyone that to be a true shepherd is to offer one’s entire being to Christ and His Church:

"To serve in the Lord’s vineyard is to give not only your hands and voice but your very soul. A priest is not called to power or prestige, but to sacrifice, humility, and love—love that mirrors Christ’s love on the Cross. The priest stands at the altar not for himself, but for all, interceding for the salvation of the world."

These words resonated deeply, especially with Father Maxym, who had spent years preparing for this very calling.

With deep humility, Father Maxym Zhuravchyk offered his heartfelt gratitude - first to Metropolitan Antony for his blessings, then to the faculty of St. Sophia Seminary for their wisdom and guidance, and to his brother seminarians for their love and support. His voice trembled with emotion as he turned to his beloved wife, Oksana, calling her his pillar of strength and source of love throughout his journey.

One sorrow tinged the joy of the day - his parents and family were unable to be present in the United States for the ordination. Yet, through the livestream provided by the seminary, they watched from afar, their prayers ascending to heaven as their son stepped into the holy priesthood. In a moving moment, Archbishop Daniel addressed them directly, offering words of gratitude for the gift of their son, who had answered God’s call with faith and devotion.

Following his words of gratitude to Metropolitan Antony, Father Maksym turned to Archbishop Daniel, his spiritual father and mentor. With a voice filled with emotion, he expressed his deep gratitude for the guidance, support, and paternal care that had shaped his journey from seminarian, to deacon, to priest.

"Your Eminence, you have been a spiritual father to me, leading me with wisdom and love. Without your mentorship, I would not have been able to take this sacred step before the altar. You have guided me with patience, strengthened me in faith, and inspired me to serve with all my heart. I am forever grateful."

These heartfelt words were met with warmth and joy from the gathered faithful, who knew well the deep spiritual bond between Archbishop Daniel and the newly ordained priest.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the community gathered for a festive luncheon, prepared by the seminary’s chef Anna Krykh, with the assistance of Oksana Zhuravchyk and the ladies of the local Orthodox community. Laughter and fellowship filled the seminary halls as the faithful rejoiced in the gift of a new priest among them.

The celebration concluded with the resounding proclamation: "God grant you many years!"

As he embarks on his sacred journey, Father Maksym Zhuravchyk carries with him the prayers, love, and support of his spiritual family. He steps forward not in his own strength, but in the strength of Christ, as a shepherd who will lead with every fiber of his existence—serving, teaching, and loving the flock entrusted to him by our Lord Jesus Christ.