In a profound expression of faith and unity, the faithful of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Trenton, New Jersey, under the spiritual leadership of their pastor, Rev. Fr. Ramon Marchyshak, undertook a spiritual pilgrimage to the very heart of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America - St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, NJ.

On this sacred occasion, they gathered to offer fervent prayers during the Akathist to the Mother of God “Nurturer of Children”. The service was prayerfully led by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, spiritual father of the Western Eparchy and President of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA. Concelebrating with him were Protopresbyter Yuriy Siwko, Pastor of the Memorial Church; Very Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas, Assistant Pastor of the Memorial Church; Rev. Fr. Ivan Tchopko of the Three Holy Hierarchs Chapel at St. Sophia Seminary; Rev. Fr. David Chidzhokie ofg St. Sophia Semianry Chapel; Rev. Fr. Roman Marchyshak - pastor of the Holy Trinity Parish in Trenton, NJ; and Rev. Fr. Maksym Zhuravchyk, priest of the Metropolia Center.

Together with faithful in attendance, Archbishop Daniel offered heartfelt intercessory prayers for the youth of the Church, as well as for the parents present, imploring the gracious protection of the Holy Birth-Giver of God. In this sacred season of Paschal joy, His Eminence asked that the children of the Church be raised as responsible Orthodox Christians - firm in their faith, radiant in Christian values, and strong in their witness to the world.

In his reflection following the Akathist, Archbishop Daniel drew inspiration from the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes, reminding those gathered of the sacred responsibility entrusted to parents and guardians:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Therefore, dear parents, nurture purity in your homes - by the example of your love, forgiveness, and prayer.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. In a world of division and confusion, raise your children to be carriers of peace, speaking kindness and truth.”

His Eminence continued: “The Beatitudes are not mere beautiful phrases - they are a way of life. Parents must first live them in their own hearts so that their children may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through their example.”

The atmosphere throughout the service was deeply prayerful, as the seminarians of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary beautifully chanted the liturgical responses and Paschal hymns. Their prayerful voices lifted the hearts of all present, culminating in the solemn singing of the ancient Orthodox prayer, "Under Your Protection We Seek Refuge, O Holy Birth-Giver of God," invoking the Theotokos to shelter and guide the youth and families under her gentle and powerful care.

As the faithful departed the Memorial Church, the spirit of the service lingered - a spirit of hope, responsibility, and deepened commitment. The visit served as a powerful reminder that the future of the Church is inseparably bound to the nurturing of its youth: nurturing them not only with words, but through the living example of Christian life rooted in the Beatitudes, prayer, sacrifice, and love.

In the words of Archbishop Daniel: "The Church of tomorrow is born in the arms of today’s parents. Let us raise our children to know Christ, to love His Church, and to reflect the light of His Resurrection into the world.”

May the Mother of God continue to intercede for us all, and especially for the youngest among us - that they may grow “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52), becoming living icons of Christ in the life of the Church and the world.