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

Archpastoral Visit to Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Goshen, IN!

“Christianity is really Love in Action! Love that is willing to serve and not to be served…” With these words of spiritual reflection upon the Gospel narrative of the last Sunday of this year’s Lenten journey, the ruling hierarch of the Western Eparchy His Grace Bishop Daniel addresses the congregation of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Goshen, IN.

The parish congregation has been looking forward to greet their bishop for almost six months, since the day that Bishop Daniel informed the pastor of the congregation Rev. Fr. Silouan Rolando of his desire to visit the Holy Trinity parish family during this year’s Lenten journey. His Grace kept his word ad arrived straight from the airport, upon his return from the pastoral visit to Ukraine, in order to prepare the way for the various outreach projects of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in Ukraine.

The weekend began with the Vespers service on Saturday evening, following which the bishop had an opportunity to meet with the parish congregation and most importantly with the parish board of administration, making plans for the 50th anniversary celebration of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox parish in September of this year.

Vladyka Daniel also shared with the congregation a pastoral reflection on the meaning of Lenten journey and the individual investment that each one of us must make into our own spiritual development. The bishop shared his guidance not only with the faithful of the Holy Trinity parish community but also with the numerous visitors from St. Mary Antiochian Christian Orthodox parish family, which for years shared in the prayer journey with faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

Sunday morning also brought numerous visitors to the parish congregation from as far as the state of Ohio and the sister parish of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox parish community in Palos Park, IL. Vladyka Daniel, assisted by Fr. Silouan and Deacon James Stickel of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox parish led the Eucharistic celebration. And again, the bishop shared a few words of spiritual encouragement with the congregation in their preparation for the bright and glorious feast of Pascha.

The parish sisterhood, along the members of the parish family welcomed the visitors to their temple and invited everyone to share in a meal prepared in honor of their bishop. As the day came to conclusion, people continued to share in fellowship with each other reminiscing of the past, but being mindful of the present challenges in order to secure a blessed future of the parish congregation.

Please, join our Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox parish family on Saturday, September 17th, 2011 as we mark the 50th anniversary of our faithful service in the Vineyard of our Lord with our bishops and sister parishes!