On a bright and joyful day of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the faithful of St. Vladimyr Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Pittsburgh, PA gathered in prayerful joy to welcome not only the newborn Christ into their sacred temple, but also the archpastoral presence of Archbishop Daniel, who traveled from the Spiritual Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA to celebrate this holy feast together with the parish community.

At the threshold of the church, Archbishop Daniel was warmly greeted by Mrs. Alia Kocelko, member of the Parish Board of Administration and the Metropolitan Council of the Church, together with her sister Kateryna. With traditional Ukrainian hospitality, they offered bread and salt adorned with flowers - an ancient sign of welcome, love, and reverence - while greeting the archpastor. The pastor of the parish, Vey Rev. Fr. John Haluszczak also welcomed Vladyka Daniel, asking for his prayers and the parish entered into the spiritual observance of the Holy Feast of the Nativity of Christ.

As the faithful entered the temple, hearts were lifted heavenward. The church itself seemed to breathe with expectation, as if echoing Bethlehem’s cave. Presiding over the archpastoral Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel was prayerfully assisted by Fr. John, as the sacred hymns and chants filled the temple. The parish choir, under the inspired leadership of Kira Senedak, offered beautifully sung responses that elevated the prayers of the people and clothed the Liturgy with reverence and awe.

The Gospel was proclaimed in both Ukrainian and English, affirming that the Good News of Christ’s birth transcends language, culture, and generation. In his Christmas sermon, Archbishop Daniel invited the faithful to contemplate the mystery at the heart of the Nativity - not merely as a historical event, but as a living call addressed to every human heart.

“Christ enters our world not in power, but in vulnerability,” the Archbishop reflected. “He comes as a child - defenseless, dependent, and open - so that He might heal our fear of vulnerability. The Nativity teaches us that salvation begins not with strength, but with love; not with control, but with trust.”

He reminded the faithful that while Christmas fills our imagination with angels, shepherds, and kings, it is ultimately a story of God entering human isolation.

“The manger is only the beginning,” he said. “The Child born in Bethlehem walks the entire road of human suffering. Christmas does not end in the stable - it leads to the Cross and blossoms into the Resurrection. The wood of the manger already points toward the wood of the Cross, and the swaddling clothes foreshadow the burial shroud. Yet this is not a story of despair - it is the story of God’s unwavering love that descends into our brokenness to raise us into eternal life.”

Moved by this message, many of the faithful approached the Holy Chalice to unite themselves with the newborn King through the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist - receiving not merely bread and wine, but Christ Himself, who cries in the manger so that humanity might never again be alone.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. John offered words of heartfelt welcome and gratitude to Archbishop Daniel, thanking him for his paternal presence and spiritual care. The Archbishop, together with the pastor, was seated in the midst of the temple as the youngest children of the parish joyfully assisted, singing Christmas carols with pure voices and radiant faces. The choir and congregation responded with beloved hymns of the season, while a seminarian offered additional carols, weaving tradition, faith, and hope into one harmonious offering.

The celebration concluded with the archpastoral blessing and anointing with holy oil. Each faithful received a Nativity icon card as a prayerful remembrance of this sacred day - a small image carrying a great truth: “Christ is born - glorify Him!”

The joy of the feast continued with a beautifully prepared parish luncheon, lovingly offered by the faithful. In fellowship, laughter, and thanksgiving, the community celebrated not only the Nativity of Christ, but the living presence of Christ among them.

This radiant celebration at St. Volodymyr Parish stood as a living witness that the Nativity is not confined to Bethlehem or to the past. Christ is born today - born in our churches, our families, and our hearts - calling each of us to become vulnerable in love, courageous in faith, and steadfast in hope.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!