UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE

Dual Pastoral Celebration in Dover, FL!

Upon the invitation of the parish community, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony – Primate of the UOC of the USA and His Grace Bishop Daniel – President of Conssitory of the UOC of the USA visited the Ukrainian Orthodox parish of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God in Dover, Florida, on Sunday February 17, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of priestly service of Rev. Fr. Harry Linsinbigler and Vladyka Metropolitan Antony’s recent elevation to Metropolitan and the Primate of our Church.     

His Eminence and His Grace were greeted on the porch of the church by Michael Gursky, Parish Board of Administration President, and his wife Beverly with the traditional bread and salt, and by the youth with flowers for the bishops.  The hierarchs were then greeted by Fr. Haralampij (Harry) Linsinbigler with the Holy Water and cross with Fr. Martin Hohlfeld, also attending and concelebrating to honor Fr. Harry and His Eminence Metropolitan Antony.       

Vladyka Antony became Archpastor of the parishes of the Florida Deanery upon the repose of Vladyka Metropolitan Constantine, after which the Florida Deanery was brought into the Eastern Eparchy. Prior to this, however, as President of the Consistory, and as Archbishop, His Eminence guided the parish through its most uncertain days upon the repose of the former Pastor of the Parish, Fr. Anastasije Starkovich, back in 2003.  Assigning Fr. Harry officially in late 2003, Vladyka Antony provided much Archpastoral guidance during uncertain time, and for which the parish and her pastor are eternally grateful.      

During the Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, in the presence of His Grace Bishop Daniel, elevated Fr. Harry to the rank of Protopriest, presenting him with a “Gold” Pectoral Cross, for the 10 years of dedicated service in the Vineyard of Christ’s Holy Church.

The faithful of Holy Protection in Dover as well as the faithful of St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pinellas Park, FL attended this joyous celebration. 

Vladyka Antony gave an inspirational sermon on the Holy Mystery of Confession, and how the Sundays of the Lenten preparatory period, beginning with the Sunday of Zacchaeus, lead us to the self-awareness required for this Holy Mystery.  His Eminence pointed out that it is only after Zacchaeus had resolved to restore four times the amount that he had cheated others as a tax collector that the Lord said:  “Today salvation has come to this house” (cf. Luke 19.1-10).  His Eminence pointed out that, in the Gospel readings of this preparatory period, not only being sorry, but true contrition and reparation, are required in repentance. 

Afterward, a dinner in honor of His Eminence was given with a cake prepared for the occasion in blue and gold.

Many years to our beloved Metropolitan Antony, and our beloved Bishop Daniel, in the service of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.