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

POKROVA SISTERHOOD FEAST DAY
METROPOLIA CENTER – SOUTH BOUND BROOK, NJ

On Sunday, the 12 of October, 2008, the local Ukrainian Orthodox community of St. Andrew Memorial church in South Bound Brook, NJ gathered for its Sunday prayer worship honoring the Pokrova (Protection of the Mother of God) Sisterhood of Memorial Church on the occasion of their Patron Feast.

Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Antony and His Grace Bishop Daniel, who were assisted by Very Rev. Yuriy Siwko, the pastor of the local community, Rev. Fr. Victor Wronsky, assistant pastor of St. Volodymyr parish in Brooklyn, NY, Rev. Fr. Ihor Bobak of South Bound Brook and Protodeacons Irynej Dziadyk, Oleh and Anatolij Revytskyj.

His Grace Bishop Daniel reflected in his sermon on the ministry of the local community sisterhood and called upon all gathered in the: “Be not afraid to challenge prejudice and false attitudes and ideas even of the society we live in... The least among us can be a vehicle that God can use to bring justice and healing to all of God's disadvantaged children all over the world.”

In conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace on behalf of Metropolitan Constantine, clergy and the faithful of the UOC of the USA greeted His Eminence Archbishop Antony on the anniversary of his Episcopal consecration.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy the faithful were invited share in a wonderful meal prepared by the Pokrova Sisterhood members in the parish hall. Archbishop Antony expressed the gratitude of all our hierarchs and the Consistory for the continued efforts of the Sisterhood, confirming that the organization was vital to our Metropolia Center.  The Sisterhood has contributed nearly $1,500,000 to the Church, which has primarily been utilized for the maintenance and major repairs on St. Andrew Memorial Church and the construction of our new Historical and Educational Complex Museum building.

Fr. Yurij Siwko informed the participants in the celebration that this year the Sisterhood has purchased badly needed clergy and alter server vestments – five sets – and vestments for the altar and all other liturgical tables.

Maria Konyk, President of the Sisterhood thanked the Bishops for their participation in the annual Feast Day celebration and introduced the six sisterhood members who regularly work in the kitchen during all the funeral memorial repast luncheons and other affairs, which enable the Sisterhood’s assistance to the Church.  The participants sang “Mnohaya Lita” for the Sisterhood members, expressing their appreciation and love for their dedication and devotion to our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church.