On the sacred Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Birth-Giver of God (October 1/14), a day steeped in profound spiritual significance for both Byzantine and Ukrainian Orthodox (Slavic) traditions, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, spiritual father of the Western-European Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora, ordained Protodeacon Mykhail Hnatiuk to the Holy Priesthood. This sacred act of ordination took place in the Ukrainian Orthodox parish of the Protection of the Birth-Giver of God in Munich, Germany, amidst a time of intense suffering for the Ukrainian people, as they endure the genocidal war waged by Russia against their nation.

The Feast of the Protection of the Birth-Giver of God has its roots in the Byzantine Empire, when, in the year 911, during a siege of Constantinople, the faithful gathered in the Blachernae Church fervently praying for deliverance. The Mother of God appeared to St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ and his disciple Epiphanius, spreading her protective veil (omophorion) over the city, ensuring its safety. This miraculous event became a treasured feast for the Church, symbolizing the ever-present and loving protection of the Theotokos. The feast was later embraced by Ukraine, where the veneration of the Mother of God holds a central place in the spiritual life of the people. It serves as a reminder that in times of trial, the faithful are always under the loving and protective care of the Mother of God.

Archbishop Daniel, who has been deeply involved in the ongoing humanitarian and spiritual efforts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and the Diaspora, chose this holy day to ordain a new priest dedicated to serving the people of God, especially those displaced and wounded by war. His Eminence has overseen the Church’s charitable work, which continues to offer critical aid to the suffering people of Ukraine, providing both spiritual nourishment and material support through humanitarian missions in Poland, Germany, and beyond. In the midst of war, the Church has become a vessel of Christ’s love and mercy, bringing hope to the brokenhearted and strength to the weary.

In his sermon, Vladyka Daniel reflected on the special place of honor that the Mother of God occupies in the spiritual journey of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. He spoke of her attributes as Protectress, Nurturer, and Intercessor, calling upon the faithful to open their hearts and submit themselves under her protective omophorion, just as the city of Constantinople did centuries ago. He reminded the gathered faithful that the Mother of God remains present in their lives, especially in moments of great distress, always interceding before the throne of God on their behalf.

The ordination service was filled with deep spiritual meaning and beauty. The parish chanters sang the prayerful responses of the Divine Liturgy, and when the moment of ordination arrived, the entire congregation felt the profound grace of God. As the Archbishop placed his hands upon Protodeacon Mykhail, the sacred words "Axios!" (He is worthy!) echoed through the temple. This ancient acclamation, rooted in the early Church, affirmed the divine call placed upon the newly ordained priest. The vesting of Father Michael in his priestly garments symbolized his new role as a servant of Christ and a minister to the people of God.

Following the ordination, Father Mykhail received a blessing from Archbishop Daniel and then embraced his wife and children, imparting his first priestly blessing upon them. This touching moment highlighted the deep bond between family and ministry, as Father Michael steps into his new role, not only as a spiritual father to the faithful but also as a guide and protector of his own family. The faithful, many of whom are refugees, came forward to receive the Eucharist from the newly ordained priest, who later spoke of the profound prayerful connection between himself and his ordaining bishop. Father Michael expressed his deep sense of sonship and belonging, knowing that he has been called to serve with love and humility.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Protopresbyter Walentine Smoktunowitch expressed heartfelt gratitude to Archbishop Daniel, not only for his presence but for being a steadfast builder of faith and life in Christ among the clergy and faithful in Germany. Many in the congregation are refugees, displaced from their homeland, and the spiritual leadership of the Church has been a source of comfort and stability in their lives during these uncertain times.

The day concluded with a prayerful luncheon in honor of Father Mykhail Hnatiuk. Surrounded by the love and support of his family, friends, and the Church community, the newly ordained priest was celebrated for answering God’s call to serve His people. In a time of war and suffering, Father Mykhail’s ordination stands as a powerful reminder that the Church’s mission endures, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

This ordination took place in a sacred temple that holds a deep connection to the Bavarian faithful, as it houses the traditional statue of Our Lady of Bavaria. The statue is a symbol of maternal protection and care, and its presence in the Ukrainian Orthodox parish of Munich underscores the unity of the Christian faith, where East and West come together in devotion to the Mother of God. Just as the people of Bavaria have turned to the Mother of God for centuries, so too does the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, entrusting its faithful to her loving intercession.

As we celebrate the ordination of Father Mykhail for the Ukrainian Orthodox communities in Germany, we pray that the Lord will guide him in his ministry, strengthening him to serve the people of God with wisdom, compassion, and grace. May the prayers of the Most Holy Birth-Giver of God accompany him as he brings the light of Christ into the lives of all those he touches, especially in this time of great need.

AXIOS!    AXIOS!    AXIOS!

To learn more about the Western European Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora (Deanery in Germany), visit the link