UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFIE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE

Bishop Daniel Visits St. Vladimir UOC in Los Angeles, CA!
By Pani-matka Svitlana Sauciur

As the early rays of sun reached the iconscreen of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Pro-Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, the faithful of the congregation began to arrive to their parish temple for a double set of festivities on this second Sunday of May. First of all, the Holy Orthodox Church marked the fifth Sunday after Pascha on May 13, 2012 – the Sunday of Samaritan Woman and this year the observance of the Mother’s Day coincided with the Sunday festivities. Moreover, the Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA His Grace Bishop Daniel arrived to LA Metropolitan area for his annual parish visitation, marking at the same time the 4th anniversary of his Archpastoral service and the eleventh year of his priestly service.

On Saturday, May 12th, the bishop served the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at the parish temple as the pastor of the parish congregation Very Rev. Fr. Vasyl Sauciur, who also serves as a Dean of the Western Deanery of the UOC of the USA concelebrated with the bishop. In his sermon remarks, the hierarch of the Church reflected upon the faith journey of an individual, that must be modeled on the life of the Savior and thousands upon thousands of holy men and women of the Church, that serve as examples of Faith and sacrificial love. On that day, Bishop Daniel marked the 11th year of his ministry in the Holy Priesthood. Parishioners from both LA Ukrainian Orthodox parishes,  St. Vladimir and St. Andrew, joined their bishop for the prayer service, in conclusion of which, His Grace shared with the congregation a story of his Faith journey.

On Sunday morning, the bishop was welcomed to the parish temple by the youth of the parish, presenting the hierarch the flowers of love, as the representatives of the parish board of administration Reader Alex Wlasenko and treasurer as well as a choir director of the parish community Deborah Kaspersky, along with their pastor – Fr. Vasyl, welcomed the bishop asking for his prayers and spiritual guidance. In his sermon, Vladyka Daniel reflected on the Gospel narrative, yet skillfully mentioning the role of a “mother” in the formation and the life of an individual. Following the Liturgy, His Grace presented every person in the parish with a blessed icon card, while Fr. Vasyl handed flowers to every woman, congratulating them with this year’s Mother’s Day festivities.

The day concluded with a luncheon in honor of parish “mothers”, at which the youth of the parish family greeted their Moms with their musical talents, singing and performing on piano, violin, etc.

As Vladyka Daniel and Subdeacon Vasyl Pasakas, a seminarian of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Bound Brook, NJ, were departing the West Coast, the parishioners kept repeating to the hierarch and his assistant that they look forward to his future visits that are filled with inspiration and encouragement to lead a sacred life in the world of modern uncertainties.