Calling the occasion one of “profound joy for the entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA,” His Eminence Archbishop Daniel ordained Deacon John Charest to the Holy Priesthood on Sunday, October 1^st, 2017 at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, IL.

The Rhode Island native, Fr. John Charest received the Mystery of Holy Priesthood in front of his brother priests; family; parishioners and well-wishers on a cool, breezy fall morning.

Welcoming His Eminence Archbishop Daniel to the cathedral of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA were the children of the parish, representatives of the Cathedral’s Board of Administration, Sisterhood members as well as all the clergy and deacons that have gathered for the momentous prayer service. Very Rev. Fr. Ivan Lymar, pastor of the cathedral's community spoke on behalf of the entire congregation welcoming the Archbishop to his cathedral and beseeching the hierarch to pray not only for the soon to be ordained priest but for his entire family and the ranks of the Holy Priesthood of the Church.

Concelebrating with Vladyka Daniel at the altar were Very Rev. Fr. Ivan Lymar, pastor of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, IL; Very Rev. Fr. Taras Naumenko, pastor of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA; Rev. Fr. Silouan Rolando, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Goshen, IN; Protodeacon Andriy Fronchak of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, IL; Deacon James Stickel of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Goshen, IN; Deacon Michael Abrahamson and Deacon Paul Cherkas of Holy Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Woonsocket, RI and Rev. Fr. Mykola Dilendorf (in attendance).

Challenging the new priest to be a “shepherd, missionary, servant, preacher and sanctifier” for souls that will be entrusted into his spiritual care, Archbishop Daniel thanked soon to be ordained priest John for “having the courage to hear and respond to the call” of the Holy Priesthood.

As the moment of sacred Ordination approached, Fr. John’s son Sebastian stood by the iconscreen holding nicely folded priestly vestments for his father. As the prayerful "AXIOS!" was exclaimed, the entire congregation repeated their approval, chanting in unison with the choir of St. Volodymyr Cathedral (under the leadership of Maestro Volodymyr Popovich) – WORTHY!

Following the liturgy, Father Ivan Lymar, presented a greeting on behalf of the enite cathedral community to the newly ordained priest John. With the blessing of Archbishop Daniel, Fr. John Charest gave his first blessings to those who gathered together for his special moment of priestly ordination.

In conclusion of the service, the entire congregation greeted Archbishop Daniel on his birthday and presented him with a bouquet of flowers, while chanting “God, Grant You, Master, Many Blessed Years!”

Before the final blessing, Vladyka Daniel greeted everyone in attendance and offered a special blessing to Fr. John’s dobrodijka Laryssa.

The newly-ordained’s mother and father, Cindy and Richard, shared in their son’s joy, a joy that became apparent soon after he was ordained and offer a priestly blessing to his parents.

The day concluded with a joyful luncheon in the social hall of St. Volodymyr Cathedral.