His Grace Bishop Daniel Visits St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles, CA!

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

The Saint Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church community in Los Angeles was blessed with the visit of His Grace Bishop Daniel, ruling hierarch of the Western Eparchy, on the Feast Day of Saint Andrew, the First Called Apostle, on December 13. The joyous parish community was joined by numerous visitors from California and other states in welcoming its ruling archpastor, as he celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the first time in the parish, in commemoration of the 58th anniversary of the founding of the parish community. This year’s Patron Saint Feast Day was also particularly special, because of the first ever ordination of a deacon in the parish. In addition, the community was honored by the participation in its celebrations of Protopresbyter Alexis Limonczenko, pastor of the Saint Michael Ukrainian Orthodox parish of San Francisco, who joined the Saint Andrew parish pastor, Very. Rev. Fr. Vasyl Shtelen. Assisting the bishop in the services were Subdeacons Gary Gebet of the Saint Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox parish of San Diego, Andre Panchenko of the Saint Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox parish of Los Angeles, and Saint Andrew parish’s own David DeJesus and Oleh Saciuk. Members of the Kobzar Choir complimented the parish choir, under the always virtuous leadership of choir director Greg Hallick.

efore the Liturgy, the festive congregation waited in anticipation as His Grace proceeded with the Subdeacons from the rectory to the church entrance, where Bishop Daniel was greeted by Sisterhood President, Luda Tolmachow, and Parish Board President, Mykola Zlidenny, with warm words of welcome and the traditional bread and salt. He then entered the church, where the bishop was greeted by the clergy. His Grace was then vested by the Subdeacons, as Father Shtelen read the Vesting Prayers to resounding responses by the Choir.

The congregation was truly blessed to hear Vladyka Daniel’s prayers. His reading of the Gospel rang forth with the eternal brightness of the Word. In his homily, His Grace called on everyone to beware of the dangers inherent in our society, as we are pulled away from one another by the mesmerizing impersonal secularization of the Internet. He called for our turning away from the darkness of the world and towards the light of God, through lives of service, of living by example, of going outside our insular parish communities to reach out and help those in need, usually so close physically to our church doors, but so far away in our indifferent minds. On the day of the ordination of a new deacon, His Grace challenged each and every member of the Church to become a living imitation of Christ, as individuals and as the whole Church.

After the consecration of the Holy Gifts, Subdeacon Oleh Saciuk was brought out to be ordained to the Holy Deaconate. He was taken by the hands on either side by two Subdeacons, and at the Hierarch’s command was led to the Royal Doors, bowing down three times along the way. As he knelt before the Holy Door, he was taken up by the pastor, through the Royal Doors and to bow before the Bishop, who sat at the side of the Holy Altar. Father Shtelen then led the Candidate three times around the Holy Altar, and the candidate three times kissed each corner of the Altar before each time kissing the Bishop’s hand, and knee, and Epigonation. His Grace then rose and placed his Omophorion over the subdeacon’s head and elevated him to the Holy Deaconate through the laying on of his hand, praying that the Holy Spirit may come upon him. Then His Grace placed the Orarion on the left shoulder of the new Deacon and exclaimed Axios-Worthy, which was repeated by the choir and congregation, after which the Sacramental Fan was given to the new Deacon, and he fanned the Holy Gifts through the Lord’s Prayer, and after the communion of the Hierarch and Clergy for the first time was given the Holy chalice by His Grace and brought out the Chalice through the Royal Doors to call the congregation to receive the Holy Eucharist.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace greeted the congregation and congratulated the Parish on the ordination of one of its own parishioners. He called on Deacon Oleh and Pani-matka Roxolana and their family to lives of service and sacrifice for the good of the Church and the glory of God.

His Grace then brought additional joy to the congregation by bestowing a special Hierarchical Award on one of the earliest pioneers of the Parish, Serhiy Kimak, who toiled many years in the service of the Parish through its formative years, and who continues to be a faithful, loyal, and giving member of the parish community, being respected and loved by everyone in the congregation. The goodness in his heart shines through in his ever smiling face. He has always been one of the first to volunteer for any work needed in the Parish and continues to be ready to help with anything he is able to do, faithfully attending services every Sunday. The Saint Andrew Parish has been blessed to have him as a member for many years, and the Lord has blessed him with loving children and grandchildren, who were all on hand to celebrate the honor bestowed on him by His Grace.

After the conclusion of the Holy Liturgy, the veneration of the Cross, and the anointing of the large congregation, the parish greeted Vladyka Daniel at a festive banquet held in his honor, at which the congregation was also honored with the presence of Rev. Myron Mykyta, pastor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church of Los Angeles, and Dean of the Western Deanery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Vasile Sauciur, pastor of the Saint Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox parish of Los Angeles. Parish Board President, Mykola Zlidenny thanked all attendees and thanked the Parish Sisterhood for the magnificent banquet. The congregation then had the pleasure of hearing a most informative address by His Grace on the present state of the Church, in which His Grace called attention to the important charitable works of the central organizations of the Church, especially the aid given to orphanages for children with special needs, victims of Chernobyl, undertaken through his initiative and leadership, and continuing with ever increasing success. His Grace reminded everyone that there are now two annual working trips to Ukraine by college age students, during which they live in the orphanages and help to bring love and joy into the lives of some of the most forgotten and neglected children in Ukraine. His Grace called upon everyone to encourage their college age children, relatives, and friends to consider participating in these life-changing missions of love.

The Saint Andrew Parish in Los Angeles is blessed to have His Grace Bishop Daniel as its ruling Hierarch, and the entire congregation looks forward with anticipation to many future pastoral visits by His Grace.

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