As Archbishop Daniel, the spiritual father of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, led the faithful through the solemn Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, OH, profound reflections on the human journey of redemption unfolded. Serving with the bishop were the pastor of the cathedral parish family – Very Rev. Michael Hontaruk, Protodeacon Ihor Mahlay and Deacon Roman Marchyshak, assisted by the seminarians of the Church: Subdeacons Maksym Zhuravchyk, Mykola Stefanyk, seminarians Marian Meleshko and Bogdan Bodnar as well as the altar servers of the cathedral. 

In the hallowed space of St. Vladimir Cathedral, amidst the flickering candles and the sacred melodies of hymns, Archbishop Daniel spoke of two gardens - Eden and Golgotha - and the profound symbolism they hold in the narrative of salvation. Just as the story of humanity's fall begins in the lush paradise of Eden, so too does the story of redemption find its climax amidst the barrenness of Golgotha.

Drawing upon the imagery of the two gardens, Archbishop Daniel illuminated the parallel between the old Adam and the new Adam - Jesus Christ. Where the first Adam succumbed to temptation and ushered in sin and death, the new Adam, in the garden of Gethsemane and ultimately on the hill of Golgotha, embraced the weight of humanity's transgressions and offered the path to reconciliation and restoration.

In the poignant moments of the Passion Gospel readings, the cathedral community was invited to witness not only the physical suffering of Christ but also the depth of his compassion and love. Archbishop Daniel spoke of Christ's tears - tears shed not only for his own impending sacrifice but also for the sins and struggles of humanity.

In the convergence of the old Adam and the new Adam, Archbishop Daniel urged the faithful to contemplate the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice -  a sacrifice born out of love and forgiveness, offering the promise of redemption to all who seek it.

As the echoes of the Passion Gospels reverberated throughout the cathedral, a profound sense of introspection and reverence enveloped the congregation. In the tears shed by Christ and the tears shed by humanity, there existed a sacred connection - a reminder of the universal human experience of sin and the boundless grace of redemption.

In the journey from Eden to Golgotha, from the fall of humanity to its redemption, Archbishop Daniel offered a message of hope and renewal. Through the tears of Christ, the faithful were reminded of the enduring presence of divine love - a love that transcends the depths of human suffering and offers the promise of eternal salvation.