On the sacred evening of the fifth Wednesday of Great and Holy Lent, the quiet heart of Trenton, New Jersey, pulsed with the sacred rhythm of prayer and repentance. Within the walls of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church, under the spiritual care of Rev. Fr. Roman Marchyshak, a radiant moment of grace unfolded. His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, spiritual father of the Western Eparchy and President of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, journeyed from the Metropolia Center - the spiritual heart of the Church - to unite with the faithful of Trenton for the solemn celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

Fr. Roman greeted Archbishop Daniel with a bouquet of flowers - a symbol of honor and heartfelt prayer from a community yearning for God’s peace. In his welcome, he asked for the Archbishop’s prayers for the health and well-being of the parish family, for the visitors, and especially for those with loved ones in Ukraine - suffering under the continuing genocidal invasion of the Russian Federation. The gathered faithful, carrying burdens of sorrow and uncertainty, longed for the Holy Spirit to comfort them and lead them toward the Resurrection with strength and renewed faith.

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, one of the most intimate and penitential services of the Church year, was presided over by Archbishop Daniel with reverence and grace. He was assisted by a brotherhood of clergy from across New Jersey:

• Rev. Fr. Roman Marchyshak, host pastor
• Very Rev. Fr. Petro Levko (St. George UOC, Yardville, NJ)
• Very Rev. Fr. Milorad Orlic (Serbian Orthodox Diocese)
• Very Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas (St. Andrew Memorial Church, South Bound Brook, NJ)
• Rev. Fr. David Chidzhokie (St. Andrew Memorial Church)
• Protodeacon Pavlo Vysotskyi (St. Andrew Memorial Church)
• Seminarians from St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary and the parish

The seminary choir offered the ancient Lenten hymns with haunting beauty, drawing over sixty worshippers into the mystery of Christ’s love and sacrifice. Each word sung, each candle lit, became a cry for mercy and a whisper of hope.

After the liturgy, His Eminence offered a spiritual reflection on the life of St. Mary of Egypt, the great model of repentance honored during the fifth week of Lent. Her story is not only one of radical transformation—it is a map for every Orthodox soul.

From Sin to Sanctity: A Call for Honest Reflection
St. Mary’s early life was marked by passion and self-indulgence. Yet her encounter at the doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where she was mystically prevented from entering, became her turning point. Confronted by her sin, she cried out to the Theotokos and began a journey of deep repentance.

Reflection: Are there doors in our lives we cannot enter because of unrepented sin? Lent invites us to be honest with ourselves and to open our hearts to healing.

Fleeing to the Desert: The Courage to Be Alone with God
Mary fled to the wilderness, where she spent 47 years in solitude, battling spiritual temptations. There she discovered intimacy with God through tears, prayer, and silence.

Reflection: Do we create space to be alone with God? Even 10 minutes a day in prayer can become our first step into the wilderness of grace.

Humility and Hiddenness: The Path to True Glory
She never sought fame. Hidden from the world, she became known only when God willed it. Her life teaches us to serve without seeking praise.

Reflection: Can we love and serve quietly, knowing that God sees what the world does not?

The Eucharist: A Longing Fulfilled
Mary received the Holy Mysteries only twice in nearly five decades—yet those moments were filled with trembling reverence.

Reflection: Do we approach the chalice with awe? Or have we grown numb to the miracle?

"I am not afraid of death," she once said, "because I have confessed and received the Lord." May we live our lives toward that same peace.

After the service, Archbishop Daniel, joined by the clergy, attended a festive dinner lovingly prepared by the parish sisterhood. The parish hall became a space of light-hearted joy and deep discussion, as His Eminence offered a second reflection—this time on the meaning of the Great and Holy Lent. He encouraged the faithful to persevere through the remaining days of the fast, emphasizing the spiritual importance of accountability, love, and reconciliation in our journey to Pascha.

During a town hall-style Q&A, Archbishop Daniel answered questions from parishioners of all ages, offering pastoral insight and gentle wisdom. By the end of the evening, well past 10:00 PM, the faithful departed not only physically nourished but spiritually strengthened - filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit and encouraged by their archpastor to complete the remainder of the fast with joy and courage.

This sacred night in Trenton was more than a mid-Lenten observance. It was a renewal of the soul. It was Christ walking among His people.