90th Anniversary Celebration at St. Vladimir Cathedral in Parma, Ohio
90th Anniversary Celebration in Parma, Ohio

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

 

90th Anniversary Celebration at St. Vladimir Cathedral in Parma, Ohio

By Dareen Jogan

Photos by Subdeacon Volodymyr Sukanets and Pami-matka Hanna Hontaruk

 

A memorable weekend was celebrated in Parma, Ohio on the last weekend in October. The cathedral parish community of St. Vladimir in Parma is ninety years old. It was time to celebrate this momentous occasion. The 90th Anniversary Committee led by Committee Chairman Serhij Peter Nahornyj, planned the celebration activities.

Festivities began on Saturday with the arrival of our dear hierarchs: His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Grace Bishop Daniel. In the morning hours of Saturday, October 25 – both bishops, escorted by the clergy of the parish visited the Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, under the leadership of Principal Volodymyr Bodnar.

Later in the day, the bishops and clergy of the parish served the Vespers.  Many faithful of the parish attended and participated in the Panakhyda held after Vespers. Along with Fr. John Nakonachny, Fr. Michael Hontaruk, Fr. Denis Kristof, Ihumen John (Henry) and Protodeacon Ihor Mahlay, the hierarchs prayed name by name for the souls of the reposed clergy, pani-matkas and founders of the parish family.

On Sunday morning, Very Rev. John Nakonachny, Pastor, led the parish clergy, V. Rev. Michael Hontaruk Assistant Pastor, and Protodeacon Ihor Mahlay, along with visiting clergy, V. Rev. Dmitri Belenki, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Lorain, OH, Rev. Paisius McGrath, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Lyndora, PA, and Ihumen John (Henry), in a procession from the church to the rectory. Included in the procession were men and women carrying parish banners of the saints, altar servers, choir members, children, and faithful of all ages.

The clergy and community of faithful then proceeded to accompany Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel preceded by children spreading flower petals to soften the street for the bishops’ feet.

The Bishops were met at the church doors by representatives of the parish youth, Christina Logvynyuk and Julia Hontaruk, who warmly greeted the spiritual fathers of the Church on behalf of the youth in both English and Ukrainian languages. The parish president, Dareen Jogan, greeted the bishops with the traditional bread and salt on behalf the parish clergy and faithful. Fr. John Nakonachny, concluded the welcoming greetings with tears in his eyes, stating “… there is nothing left for me to add, the youth and lay leadership of the cathedral family have spoken on our behalf, and I am so proud of them. So, I simply say – WELCOME!”

The Archpastoral Divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Antony, Bishop Daniel with assistants of the parish and visiting clergy, while assisted by 3 seminarians and 11 altar servers of the cathedral. The parish choir of some 35 voices, who sang and chanted the responses and hymns, beautified the Liturgy. Markian Komichak expertly directed the choir.

Upon completion of the Divine Liturgy, three people were recognized for being the children of three of the founding families of the parish.

Myron Trembly, Emil Pavlyshyn, and Helen Pukach were the recipients of Hramotas (Certificates of Blessing) given by our Hierarchs.

These three individuals served many years on the parish council and both Myron Trembly and Emil Pavlyshyn served as presidents. Helen Pukach served as secretary of the parish for many years.

Very Rev. John Nakonachny was recognized by the Bishops for his long service in the Holy Priesthood in our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and our St. Vladimir Parish. The faithful of St. Vladimir Parish are grateful that Fr. John Nakonachny was recognized for his dedicated service.

After the veneration of the Holy Cross, our beloved Hierarchs, clergy, and faithful, proceeded to the Parish Center for a dinner and program. The Master of Ceremonies, Mrs. Helen Greenleaf, warmly greeted the Hierarchs, clergy, and 375 participants of this glorious banquet. Everyone had a wonderful time watching the program that was prepared by the youth choir of our Ukrainian School of Taras Shevchenko, the St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Dance, directed by Oksana Logvynyuk and the School of Bandura directed by Oleh Mahlay. The meal, prepared by the resident catering staff, was delicious.

After the program, Bishop Daniel spoke. A portion of his remarks included: “Today, you are gathered here as one family in Christ to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of St. Vladimir Parish. It is very uplifting to see all of you…. Please continue to work as one family in the Lord so we will celebrate many more anniversaries. We have to be one in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Afterwards, Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel presented a certificate of blessings to the Board President Mrs. Dareen Jogan, for her love, work, and dedication to our St. Vladimir Parish Family. Fr. John Nakonachny closed the banquet with a few words. He thanked everyone and asked for them to continue praying for our parish. After the benediction the faithful went home with much joy and remembrance of this celebration of this 90th Anniversary of our St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Parish Family. The Committee began planning and is looking forward to the celebration of the 100th Anniversary in 2024.

90th Anniversary Celebration in Parma, OH

90th Anniversary Celebration in Parma, Ohio - 10/31/2014

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