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

Ukrainian Independence Day Observance at the Metropolia Center of the UOC of the USA

The morning hours of Sunday morning, August 25, 2013 gathered several hundreds of faithful of the Church and visitors to the Metropolia Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in South Bound Brook, NJ for a prayerful Divine Liturgy, Moleben and an afternoon Concert Program in honor of the twenty-second anniversary of Ukrainian Independence.

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Very Rev. Fr. Yuriy Siwko along with the local clergy of the Church’s spiritual center served Divine Liturgy, remembering in their prayers millions of Ukrainians who lost their lives fighting for the re-establishment of Independent nation of Ukraine. Later in the afternoon, His Grace Bishop Daniel, President of Consistory and  Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the Church presided over the Moleben service, offering intercessions on behalf of Ukrainian people in the ancestral homeland and those scattered all over the world.

The afternoon hours of the day brought numerous visitors to the spiritual headquarters of the Church to Ukrainian Cultural Center for a festive concert in honor of Ukraine’s Independence. The Ukrainian Museum of New Jersey (Mrs. Natalia Honcharenko – Director and Dr. Michael Andrec – Archivist of the Church) of the Historical and Educational Complex of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA organized the event.

Mrs. Natalia Honchrenko opened the official ceremony with the greeting to the community with the 22nd celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day.  His Eminence Metropolitan Antony opened the formal program with a prayer, calling upon those in attendance to remember in their prayers the sacrifices of the past and the efforts of present generations of Ukrainians throughout the world in the labor of strengthening the spirit of Ukrainian heritage.

Mr. Konstantyn Vorona, First Vice-Consul of Consulate General of Ukraine to NY, presented a greeting on behalf of Consul General Igor Sybiga.

Following the formal presentations, Mrs. Natalia Honcharenko presented to those in attendance the renowned folklore group “GERDAN”, who gifted the visitors to the Ukrainian Cultural Center in South Bound Brook, NJ with a wreath of traditional Ukrainian folk songs and dances.