With deep sorrow, we, the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, extend our most profound and heartfelt condolences to the Very Reverend Father Myroslav Pani Matka Mariya Schirta and his beloved family upon the tragic and untimely falling asleep in the Lord of their precious son, Vasily Anthony Schirta, who departed this life at the tender age of 20 due to a motor vehicle accident.

In moments such as these, human words seem fragile and inadequate. Yet it is in these moments of sorrow that the voice of the Church rises in prayer and intercession, proclaiming our faith in the life-giving promise of our Savior Jesus Christ:

“I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)

As a community united in Christ, we gather around Father Myroslav and his family with love, prayers, and compassion. We weep with them, yet not as those who have no hope - for our hope is in the Risen Lord, Who has trampled down death by death and opened the gates of eternal life.

Vasily Anthony, a beloved son, brother, and friend, has been called from this earthly journey far too soon. Yet we commend his soul into the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father, praying that the Lord our God will grant him a place of rest, where there is no pain, no sorrow, and no sighing, but only life everlasting.

On behalf of the entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, its hierarchs, clergy, and faithful, we offer our love and spiritual support to Father Myroslav, Pani Matka Mariya and the entire family during this excruciating time. May they be consoled by the grace of God, the embrace of the Church, and the prayers of countless faithful who now carry them in their hearts.

Funeral services are scheduled as follows:

August 1 - 4-9PM - Parastas and Viewing at St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Bayonne, NJ.

August 2 - 8:30AM-NOON - Divine Liturgy and Funeral at St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Bayonne, NJ, followed by Interment at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery in South Bound Brook, NJ.

Let us all, as one Body in Christ, lift our hearts in prayer for the newly-departed servant of God:

O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who has trampled down death and overthrown the devil, and given life to Your world: Do You, O Lord, give rest to the soul of Your newly departed servant, Vasily Anthony, in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from which pain, sorrow and sighing have fled away. As a good and loving God, forgive every sin committed by him in word, deed, or thought, for there is no man who lives and does not sin - You alone are without sin, Your righteousness is everlasting, and Your Word is truth. For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant Vasily Anthony, O Christ our God, and to You we give glory, together with Your Eternal Father and Your Most Holy, Good and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Вічная пам’ять! Memory Eternal!

May his soul dwell with the righteous, and may his memory be eternal in our hearts and before the throne of God.