UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

Archpastoral Visit of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, PA

Sunday March 29th was a special day for the members of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. On that day His Grace Daniel, Ruling Bishop of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in USA visited our parish.

Although the cold of winter simply will not let go this year in Pittsburgh, the anticipation of his visit warmed our hearts. As His Grace entered the church, he was greeted by the Vice President of the parish council Nataliya Petrylo, who welcomed Bishop Daniel with traditional bread and salt. Kateryna Kocelko presented a bouquet of flowers to Bishop Daniel on behalf of the Jr . UOL. Fr. John Haluszczak greeted Bishop Daniel with a cross asking for his continued prayer and blessings.

A prayerful and festive Hierarchical Divine Liturgy provided great spiritual support to everyone present. Kira Senedak and Mauri Druash-Gladys led the choir in joyous responses to the clergy. In his sermon, Bishop Daniel inspired us with a talk about the effects worldly goods have on us all, and how they can never satisfy the needs we have for our souls and to guard against them occupying our time so completely that of souls will suffer.

At the beginning of the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy Bishop Daniel tonsured altar server Julian Burgan as a Reader for St Vladimir Parish and then as sub-deacon. Julian has served faithfully at the altar and has been reading hour and the epistle for several years.

At this time Parish Council invited everyone to stay for refreshments in the church hall. After the luncheon Bishop Daniel attended our annual parish meeting. In her council president’s report, Kira Senedak reported on the parishes efforts to move toward a stewardship based model for the parish and challenges to address as we move forward in the coming year. It was a great joy and blessing that Bishop Daniel was not only present to celebrate with us, but to also accompany us as we prepare to administer the parish in the coming year.

Everyone was filled with brotherly love in the family atmosphere created by His Grace and all were inspired to do more for the good of the parish.

As a bonus we were able to accompany His Grace to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee vespers and dinner benefitting Syrian brothers and sisters in Christ held at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, PA.

Thank you Your Grace, Many Blessed Years!

Photos by Seminarian Yurii Bobko