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

The Patronal Feast Day of Holy Archangel Michael Parish in San Francisco, CA!
By Subdeacon Vasyl Pasakas

Holy Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church celebrated its annual patron saint's day on November 20, 2011. The pastor, Protopresbyter Alexis Limonchenko and the parish board of administration invited His Grace Bishop Daniel, the Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA to honor the feast day of Holy Archangel Michael the following day, November 21 and to lead the liturgical celebrations. Prior to the Divine Liturgy, children of the parish and the parishioners greeted the bishop on the front steps of the church with the traditional bread, salt and flowers.

Following the chanting of the Gospel Reading, His Grace Bishop Daniel delivered an inspiring sermon in Ukrainian and English languages, reflection upon the spiritual meaning of a touch – the “touch” of Faith and the “touch” in faith. During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Daniel offered special prayer petitions for the victims of the 1932-1933 Genocidal Famine (Holodomor) in Ukraine.  At the end of the Divine Liturgy Bishop Daniel greeted all the parishioners and guests on this special holy day in the life of the parish family. Then all of the parishioners approached the bishop to venerate the cross and to receive special holy icon cards commemorating this day.

The celebrations continued with lunch in the parish hall and performances by the children of the parish. Bishop Daniel started the event with a prayer. During lunch, the people were treated to a performance by the parish children. The concert was enjoyed by the audience.

The main speech was given by Bishop Daniel, who informed the parishioners of the parish community about the numerous ministries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and her outreach ministries among the faithful in Ukraine. The bishop also spoke also of the history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA, reminding everyone of the 100th anniversary celebrations that will be taking place in 2013.  In addition, the bishop welcomed numerous members of the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco, CA to the parish community, and offered his gratitude for their participation in the daily life of the parish family.

The day's festivities ended with the singing of "Mnohaya Lita." Pastor of the parish family, Protopresbyter Alexis Limonchenko thanked the bishop for joining the parish this day, the guests for coming to celebrate with the parishioners, the ladies who prepared a wonderful meal, the children for their performance, and all the guests and parishioners for their attendance in large numbers. The parish sisterhood once more held a wonderful luncheon, during the course of which many well-wishes and congratulations were pronounced.

The parishioners were then able to spend some time speaking with Bishop Daniel and receiving his blessings.