On Thursday morning – January 30, 2025, clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (UOC of USA) gathered in South Bound Brook, New Jersey - the Spiritual Center of the Church - to honor their beloved Metropolitan Antony on the occasion of his Name Day, Birthday, and the Anniversary of his Enthronement as Metropolitan. With love and gratitude, over 40 clergy from the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania metropolitan areas stood in prayerful unity with His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, who presided over the Divine Liturgy in thanksgiving for the Metropolitan’s decades of dedicated service to Christ and His Holy Church.

Faithful from local parishes traveled to the Metropolia Center, embracing their spiritual father with warm words of love, heartfelt prayers, and flowers of admiration. During the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel reflected on the profound impact of Metropolitan Antony’s ministry, his unwavering devotion to the Church, and his tireless efforts in guiding the faithful on the path of righteousness.

In his homily, Archbishop Daniel spoke about the life of Saint Anthony the Great, the monastic father whose name Metropolitan Antony bears. He drew a parallel between the Saint’s unwavering faith and Metropolitan Antony’s lifelong commitment to the teachings of Christ:

"From the early days of his earthly life, Saint Anthony followed the Beatitudes of the Lord, dedicating himself entirely to prayer, humility, and service. Now, in the 21st century, our beloved Metropolitan follows and teaches these same precepts, leading his flock with the wisdom and love that Christ imparted in His Sermon on the Mount. Through his life and ministry, he has been a steadfast beacon of faith, reminding us that the foundation of our spiritual journey must always be love for God and one another."

In recognition of Metropolitan Antony’s dedication to the Church, greetings were extended from the faithful beyond the United States. Archbishop Daniel conveyed heartfelt messages on behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of USA, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand, the Western European Eparchy and the broader Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Diaspora. These expressions of love and gratitude served as a testament to the Metropolitan’s far-reaching influence and spiritual leadership.

Archbishop Daniel also spoke of Metropolitan Antony’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the people of Ukraine, especially during these turbulent times. He proclaimed:

"Our Metropolitan has always been a father to his flock, but even more so, he has been a shepherd whose heart beats for the Ukrainian people. Through war and hardship, he has never wavered in his support for our suffering brothers and sisters in Ukraine, ensuring that humanitarian aid, spiritual guidance, and prayers continuously flow to those in need. His love for the Church extends beyond our communities here in the United States - it is deeply rooted in the heart of our ancestral homeland."

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Antony addressed all in attendance, offering words of profound gratitude. He expressed his deep appreciation for the clergy and faithful who had gathered in prayer, stating:

"Your love, prayers, and support give me the strength and inspiration to continue preaching the Word of God in these times. It is through our unity in Christ that we find the grace to overcome all obstacles and remain steadfast in our faith."

The faithful then joined together in a beautiful moment of prayer as Protodeacon Pavlo Vysotskyi and Deacon Maksym Zhuravchyk intoned the petitions for God to grant their Metropolitan many blessed years of prayerful service. The congregation joyfully responded: “God grant you many years! Mnohaya lita, Vladyko!”

To mark the occasion, Archbishop Daniel presented Metropolitan Antony with two hand-painted panagias - one depicting Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, symbolizing the Metropolitan’s deep spiritual devotion, and the other depicting the Resurrection of the Lord, a powerful reminder of the victory of faith over all trials.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the celebration continued at the Pokrova Sisterhood Hall, where a festive luncheon was prepared with great care by the dedicated hands of the Metropolia staff and parish volunteers. The faithful had the opportunity to personally greet their beloved Metropolitan, sharing words of gratitude and appreciation for his many years of service. The seminarians of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary honored him with a beautiful handmade photo album, capturing moments from his decades of ministry, and a heartfelt rendition of poetry and song.

As the celebration concluded, Metropolitan Antony expressed his sincere appreciation to all who had taken part in this joyous occasion. With humility, he acknowledged the love and prayers of the faithful, reminding them that true leadership lies in service and devotion to Christ.

His life is a living testimony to faith in action - a life spent nurturing the Church, guiding the faithful, and standing in unwavering solidarity with Ukraine. His dedication remains a source of inspiration for generations to come, reminding us all of the sacred calling to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

With heartfelt joy and gratitude, the clergy and faithful once again proclaimed:

“Mnohaya lita, Vladyko! Many blessed years, Master!”