New Chapel in Ukrainian Government Headquarters Raises Questions

A multi-confessional chapel or better, "prayer room" on the premises of the Parliament and Supreme Council (Verkhovna Rada) of Ukraine could only be a good thing, right? From a point of view of human rights and democracy, this should mean a big step for a country that is still heavily dominated by the Russian Orthodox Church and can be suspicious of citizens' freedom to choose other faith venues. But is it?

The announcement of the new "prayer space" seemed innocuous enough. RISU reported the news on Jan. 22:

"According to news.liga.net, the opening of the chapel was initiated by National Deputies Volodymyr Malyshev and Ihor Rybakov.

«Having become a national deputy and spent some time at the Ukrainian Parliament, I had an idea, rather a need, to open a prayer room,» said Malyshev and added that spirituality is the most important need for each person."

However, Malyshev's colleague Rybakov went on to make comments of an exclusive nature, which signal caution for defenders of freedom: «A lot has been done to revive Orthodox Churches and spiritual education; still, there is much more that each of us should do in this respect.» (end RISU extract)

Subsequent actions surrounding the opening of the chapel add to the need for precaution. RISU also reported that on Jan. 19 (Julian calendar feast of the Epiphany), the chapel was "blessed" by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine (UOC-MP), Metropolitan Volodymyr Sabodan. If the chapel is intended to be used by people of various confessions, then the proper way to dedicate it would have been with the participation of the leaders of all Ukraine's faith traditions.

The chapel is constructed according to the Orthodox rubrics, which is historically and culturally comfortable for most Ukrainians. However, to truly employ democracy and a separation of church and state, it should not be a church "per se" but rather a place where all can fell welcome, quietly and humbly offering their prayers and meditation.

Why is an Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan complaining about the erection of an Orthodox church in the nation's parliament? It is precisely because (1) I am Ukrainian Orthodox and appreciate the fact the the government of our ancestral Motherland allows for the freedom of religion and the right of all people to express their faith as they so choose; and (2) In today's Ukraine, the church no longer directs and influences the actions of the state as it once did, with a sense of divine entitlement.

If either of the above points, 1 and 2, were not true, then we would all be subjects of a dominating church, embracing an erroneous concept of a "Mother Russia" that would be all to happy to see another annihilation of a unique Ukrainian history and self-awareness.

On Jan. 25, RISU reported that, "The People’s Movement of Ukraine (PMU) is demanding that the leadership of Parliament and the Supreme Council provide information on who initiated the opening of the St. Volodymyr Chapel and inform the public as to which confession it belongs."

The PMU, a political party which promotes democracy and a leaning towards relationship with the West, believes that if the "prayer room" is to exist, it should be sensitive to and inclusive of all confessions. The party enjoys popularity, especially in Western Ukraine, with its strongest center being in the region of Ternopil.

«We are sure that a prayer room should be used by the believers of all the confessions and help increase the level of spirituality of the believers in the Supreme Council instead of being a factor which can cause misunderstanding and tension among representatives of different confessions,» says the statement signed by PMU head Borys Tarasiuk.

Certainly faith and spirituality are to be valued in a free-society. I know this from the important duty I had as guest chaplain, to offer the prayer at the opening of a session of the United States House of Representatives, some years ago. I also am aware that intolerance or feelings of superiority of one belief system over another can lead to deadly consequences. I know this from my experience as a "first-responder" chaplain at the World Trade Center Site following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

We should welcome the movement to bring the values of faith into the daily life of decision makers in Ukraine. Surely the former "overseers" of our people (including the Soviet regime and the saintly Czar) did not give them much thought. While welcoming opportunities to freely express faith, I caution that it be inclusive and not to the benefit of one circle over another. Rather, let us pray that faith in our Motherland lead to justice and an advancement in "all good things."

Pray without ceasing . . .

Most of us are aware that this during this past week Christians have been focusing on prayer for unity. It is the annual "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" first established in 1908 by Fr. Paul James Francis Watson, SA, founder of the Society of the Atonement. Additionally, 40 years have passed since the "Week of Prayer" has been jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican's Congregation for Ecumenism.

Locally, we are fortunate to be close to the birth place of the worldwide observance, in a small chapel located at the Graymoor Monastery, the home of the Friars of the Atonement. It was there that Fr. Paul, Mother Laurana and their then small group of religious first decided to dedicate this particular time to intense prayer for Christian unity (then they called it the "Chair of Unity Octave).

Much has happened since that first, quiet evening of prayer for unity. We are encouraged all the more, for the good, to cooperate with each other, both other Christians and with non-Christians alike. "People of faith" has become a synonym for those of upright spirit and good will.

Earlier this week, we were also asked to consider the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a vociferous pioneer of the civil rights movement. Without his contributions, perhaps the rights that many groups of people now rightfully enjoy, would not have been brought to fruition. While each marginalized group has its own heroes, Dr. King, like Fr. Paul Wattson can be considered a lamp that light the way to righteousness and sobriety.

Dr. King had a dream of human equality and we are asked to continue this dream. Fr. Paul likewise dreamed of all Christians at the same table, for a common purpose, "so that the world may believe."

It is important that after the holiday is weeks past and the week of prayer of history for another year, we don't wake up and forget the dreams. How often do we dream at night, wake up with a recollection and continue remembering the details much past an hour or two? I am concerned that in this way, we "people of faith" will also forget the wonderful ideals that we have been called to reflect upon this week.

Much can be said in favor of unity and social justice. Few of us "of faith" would argue with either. But it does not take much, often only the smallest threat or inkling of fear, to entice cowardice instead of courage, and isolation rather than integration. I've seen it happen all too often.

Since this year's theme for the Week of Prayer is "Pray without ceasing . . . " (1 Thes. 5:17), let's try to do just that. Let's make our prayer, both contemplative and active, something that does not stop with this week. May Friday Jan 25, 2008 not be a finale to the niceties we express at this time.

Rather, let it be the beginning of a ceaseless quest for what is right, for what is just and for what is true. Let fear not stop the love that compels us to walk the path of the heart - the path that leads to unity for people of faith and indeed for all those who, together inhabit the earth.

May those who seek the Lord praise the Lord and may their hearts live forever.

The Blessing of Jordan

Today, we celebrated in church, the service called the "Great Blessing of Water." It is held in conjunction with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. The day is also known as Epiphany, Theophany, Manifestation and Yordan.





Here are a few fotos from the water-blessing service. It is always one of my favorite rituals of the year. There is a refreshing nature about the custom that is good for body and soul. The waters are considered to have the "blessing of Jordan" as the pray says, as did the river by that name, at the moment of Christ's baptism.

See our weekly bulletin or more info and explanations of the feast in various languages.


Well, now we start the season of house blessings. I hope to be able to make more regular installments here, as the days go on.

Happy Holyday everyone! Z'svyatom!

Christ is Baptized! In the River Jordan!
Khrystos Krestivsya! Na Richtsi Yordani!
Cristo se ha bautizado! En el Rio Jordán!

Busy Days

Well, it seems as if everyone has busy days, including me. Today went by so quickly. So, let's all take a "day off" (yeah right), and breathe a little.

I'll be back with another topic tomorrow.

Julian Calendar New Year

Today marks Jan 1 on the Julian liturgical calendar. It means that it is technically, the beginning of another calendar year. So it would be proper to say that this is Julian New Years' Day.

In pre-Soviet in Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe, people still observed this day as a new year festivity, until the last century. Although the Gregorian or "new" calendar was promulgated for the Catholic world by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 (with the bull, Inter gravissimas), not all countries adopted this calculation as the civil calendar. In fact, it took quite some time for many places to "make the switch."

The British Empire, did not adopt the Gregorian reckoning until 1752, China in 1912 and Greece not until 1923. The Russian Empire, which dominated Ukraine for centuries, much in allegiance to Orthodox practice, did not institute the use of the new calendar. This did not happen there until the October revolution of 1917.

Needless to say, there are many astronomical differences that led to the creation of the Gregorian calendar. It was first proposed by first proposed by the Calabrian doctor Aloysius Lilius, before being decreed by the Pope. Contrary to popular misbelief, Gregory XIII did not "create" the Gregorian calendar.

In general, Orthodox countries were slow to adopt the new usage, and a good number of national churches remain with the complete Julian calendar. Pascha or Easter, for Orthodox is always calculated using the Julian method, with the exception of the Church of Finland.

It's a matter than can set one's head spinning to the point of headache, trying to understand why and how the various calendars of the world differ. Let it suffice to say that I don't expect the Ukrainian or other Slavic churches to make a change anytime soon. I am not convinced that this would even be desirable.

It should be noted that in Ukraine, both the Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches use the Julian calendar exclusively. While Jan 14 may not longer bear the "new year" label, it is none the less a festivity.

Today is also the holyday of Christ's Circumcision & Naming (eight days after his birth) and of St. Basil the Great. It is known as the "Druhiy Praznik" or second holyday in the sequence of winter celebrations (the third will be the Baptism of Jesus).

So, happy new year for those Julian merrymakers and more importantly, "Happy Names' Day" to all who are called Basil (Vasyl in Ukrainian; Bill, William are some questionable English interpretations). God grant you all many years. Na Mnohaya i blahaya lita!

For more info, see: Development of the Gregorian Calendar

The Leave-taking of Christmas

Today on the liturgical calendar (Dec 31/Jan 13)is called what is known as the "leaving-taking" of Christmas. It means that this is the final day on which the feast is celebrated in the liturgy. It concludes the so-called post-festive period of the feast.

All major church holidays have post-festive periods and "leave-takings." They usually last for eight days, but can differ depending on what is approaching next on the calendar.

In Church Slavonic, this "leave-taking" is called, the "otdaniye" of the feast, in Greek, the "apolysis, in contemporary Ukrainian, the "viddannya." All of these words mean literally mean a "dismissal" or a "going forth" They imply that one might now return to normal observance of the liturgical daily cycle, minus the festal texts that are taken in the post-feast.

In our present case with Christmas, this dismissal does not last long, for we immediately celebrate Jan 1/14 as the Circumcision of Christ and St. Basil the Great and then enter straight-away, into the "pre-festive" time of the Baptism of the Lord. As I'm sure I'll discuss, the Baptism (also known as Theophany, Epiphany, Manifestation and simply, Yordan), is one of the most important feasts of the year, full of biblical and theological symbols.

Today, it seemed as if many of the faithful decided to "take-leave" of Christmas a bit early, since the service was not nearly as well attended as on the Feast of the Nativity itself. I suppose this is a bit normal in our society. Nevertheless, there is something lost if one does not participate in the weekly and festal cycle of the church. While celebrations come each and every year, they do come only once. The liturgical year is a type of "seamless garment" that when sewn together, forms a beautiful robe which brings the Gospel alive before our eyes.

Happy Leave-taking of the Nativity everyone. We have two more feasts to go in this Christmas cycle. I pray they are joyous ones for all of us.

Parabolic Nature of the Infancy Narratives

I had the opportunity to survey a new book this Christmas season, The First Christmas - What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus' Birth. It was jointly written by well-known biblical scholars, Marcus J. Borg & John Dominic Crossan. The book offers some fresh insights into understanding the stories of Our Lord's Nativity, without resorting to either fundamentalist literalism or complete accusations of mythology.

These two have often been the only interpretations offered by commentators in the past. In these choices, one has to either believe that each and every action of the Gospel narratives happened exactly as written, or claim that it is totally myth, constructed to explain the birth of an important figure (as found in other religious narratives). Instead, these two authors find a third way to understand the Nativity - the parabolic approach.

In tomorrow's Gospel, this can help to make a lot of sense from the story line. It is the familiar account of the "slaughter of the innocents" and the "flight into Egypt" (Matthew 2: 13-23).

Matthew, who audience was mostly of Jewish origin, was concerned to point out the similarities between Jesus and Moses. Moses enjoyed great popularity over the course of the history of the Hebrew people, but particularly in Jesus' day. By connecting the story of Herod's massacre of the innocent children to Messiah's appearance, it links him inseparably to the great Moses. As Pharaoh, in the days of the Hebrew captivity in Egypt was threatened by the growth and stability of the Jewish population, so Herod is paranoid as to the appearance of the Messiah, the new "King of the Jews." Therefore, an attempt to eliminate him is carried out.

Meanwhile, Joseph, Mary and Jesus escaped to Egypt, now a land of refuge, instead of bondage (as in Moses' day). However, by carefully emphasizing the holy family's period of exile in Egypt, Matthew likens Jesus to his descendants over the course of Jewish history, who had often been exiles, particularly during the "carrying away to Babylon" or the Jewish exile in Babylonia, during the occupation of Palestine by these people. Jesus, like his people before him, and like many people at his time until today, was himself an exile, on the margins of society, on the move, carefully escaping the hands of those who would do him wrong.

Certainly that latter is something which many of us today, many in our own towns and regions can identify with. I don't have to elaborate much to bring across the point that we are hosts to a great number of refugees and those in exile from their homelands. We should pray that we and our nation treat them with the same dignity that they would show to the holy family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

The picture I have chosen for today shows the three, on their voyage to Egypt, in a boat or canoe much like many have used to reach the shores of the USA. In the boat is a burro or donkey, which the family used for transportation. Not a far cry from some more contemporary scenes, is it? Times may change, and then again . . . ?

On the liturgical calendar, the church honors today, the close family relatives during Jesus' lifetime. That includes of course, Joseph, foster-father of Jesus and spouse of Mary. Today is the feast of St. Joseph, according to the Eastern-Byzantine tradition. Happy name's day to all who bear that of the Righteous Joseph, the protector of the young child Jesus and his Mother.

A little liturgical research

One of the things that clergy and cantors/choir directors much check about each year regards the observance of the Sunday after the Nativity and the Sunday Before the Theophany. Depending on how the calendar days fall, both or one of these Sundays may be observed.

That is why we have the convenient book called the "typikon" or the "ustav." It gives instructions on how to treat each and every possible combination or coinciding of days in the church year.

If the Sunday following Christmas occurs on or before Dec. 31/Jan 13, then it is observed as the Sunday after the Nativity. This day honors Our Lord's immediate family relatives, and is considered to be the feast of St. Joseph in the Byzantine tradition.

The Sunday Before Theophany (Yordan) occurs on Jan 2/15 through Jan 5/18. If there happens to be no Sunday between these days (as is the case this year), then the day is superseded.

January 1/14 is the feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord & St. Basil the Great. If it falls on a Sunday, all texts are taken from the feast itself.

Some years see the weekdays falling to include both the Sunday after Nativity and the Sunday before Theophany.

The readings, troparia and other liturgical parts are different, depending on which Sunday is observed. This year, since the "leaving-taking" (final day) of Christmas is on Dec. 31/Jan. 13, Sunday is celebrated as the closing of the Nativity festivity and the "Sunday after Nativity.

Well readers, these are some of the liturgical peculiarities that we must decipher, in order that you may all more fully participate in the liturgical cycle of the Byzantine-Orthodox tradition.

Our liturgical life can seem complicated and obsolete, but when put all together, it weaves a beautiful seamless garment, during which the events of salvation history are portrayed and the Good News of the scripture is preached.

Check my bulletins on the church website for each week's liturgical texts and combinations. Let us all enjoy and take full part in the liturgical life of our parishes.

Day of the Holy Innocents - Dia de los Santos Inocentes

As on the Roman calendar, the Byzantine calendar dedicates fifth day of Christmas (tomorrow) to the memory of all those "innocents" who were murdered by Herod in the name of Christ (Mt. 2: 16-18). According to the narrative, the King chose to eliminate all those male children two years and younger, rather than take a chance to be overthrown by this "new born King of the Jews" (Mt. 2:2), as revealed to him by the astrologers (magi).

In some parts of Latin America, this day is one observed in the same manner as "April Fools' Day" is in the US. Mis-information is often given in the media and playful jokes are visited upon "the innocent."

At first glance, this may seem as a strange custom for a day with such a solemn and unfortunate theme. In retrospect, after consideration, I can see the point. It is done to demonstrate the innocence and vulnerability that we all have within us. Whether it's the passing on of information or the telling of a story, we can all be quick to believe, just as small children easily believe all that is told to them by adults.

An additional lesson for us should be that we should take care to always set a good example for our younger people and be truthful with them. They look to us for guidance. Let's try to do our best, because how we influence our youth-generation will effect how the world will be a couple of decades from now.

What will be our legacy?

Included is a photo-shot from our joyful Christmas Divine Liturgy. The church was so festive looking. Happy "Day of the Innocents" to all.

Eternal her Memory - Anna Hankel Javchak - Вічная її Пам'ять - Анна Ганкель Яавчак

Today, January 9, 2008, marks 35 years of the passing of my maternal grandmother, Anna Margaret Hankel Javchak. She came to the United States from the Transcarpathian region of what is today Ukraine, in 1905, when she was five years of age. She was accompanied by her parents, John and Mary.

After they had settled in Buchanan, NY, her mother soon passed away. Eventually, Anna married Joseph P Javchak (often rendered Yafcak in the US), whose family came from the same Ukrainian region. The Javchak family, including Joseph's parents, Jacob and Mariya, were successful in the general store and gasoline business in Buchanan. The corner on which their store still stands, was known as Javchak's corners. Today, it leads to the main entrance of the well-known Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

Anna and Joseph Javchak raised two children, Joseph P II, and Margaret Anna. A third child, Madeline Javchak died shortly after birth. The family store was a popular spot, especially during the depression years, when many depended on the kindness of the Javchak couple and in the war years, when much industrial activity was happening in the area.

The elder Joseph died prematurely, in 1944, after which Anna continued the business, as long as was possible. Eventually it was sold to other parties. Both children married and eventually, this writer was born.

I remember so fondly, the many times over the years of my youth that I spent at "Baba's house." We laughed, we played games, we prayed and yes, we even fought. We ate great meals together, since Baba was a wonderful cook. This was one of the traits that her daughter Margaret inherited.

A person of religious and cultural conviction, Baba taught me how to be devout and how to learn and maintain our culture in the manner of the day. Since both my parents worked, a lot of time in the formative years were spent at Baba's.

She was well known in the community. People saw her coming and knew what she wanted. (And they acted to accommodate her!) She would "tell it like it is." Baba was not one for cutting corners or disguising the truth with euphemisms, and was in many ways a very serious person. I inherited some of these traits, particularly the last two.

In many ways, my grandmother was a pioneer woman, regarding the dignity of the physically-challenged. She suffered from a serious form of "Sugar Diabetes," a condition that was not as well treated in the 1960s and 70s as it is today. Consequently, she lost first one leg and then the second. Many, especially then, would have given up normal activity at this point.

Instead, from a wheelchair, Anna continued her daily routines and duties. She cooked, she cleaned, she did laundry, she made things for others. Thanks to a sliding devise made by her son-in-law Edward, she was able to travel by car to visit relatives, attend church and restaurants and other places. She did not slow down when possible. Most important of all for me, she spent time taking care her grandson.

If the situation were to take place now, many more opportunities and conveniences would be open to her. Still, she showed great bravery when faced with a condition for which society showed little accommodation.

Although it's been 35 years since her repose and I was only at the age of ten at the time, I often feel that as I had seen Baba yesterday. She left a great impression not only on me, but also for my sisters and cousins. Deservingly, she gained the title, "matriarch of the family."

My sister once said, "As long as Michael's alive, Baba will never be dead." It was in response to something I had said or done while a teenager. While it may have been communicated in a joking fashion, it also held a lot of truth. I only hope that I can live up to this estimation, in the same strong but kind, fearless, but sensitive way that my grandmother did.

Vichnaya Pamyat' Baba! Eternal Memory to you. Even though it's been 35 years, your memory is certainly alive and well in this house and in this family. I know you are still watching for us, from your place with God. Happy anniversary, with Love!

Then came Christmas, the third day . . .

The third day in the festival of Christmas is dedicated to the recollection of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Known from the book of the "Acts of the Apostles," Stephen was the first known to bear "witness" to Christ by sacrificing his own life. Of course the word "martyr" means - to be a witness for one's faith, cause or principles.

In the case of Stephen, the account relates to us that this was around the time that tensions had developed between the Christian and Jewish communities. Remember that in the earliest times, the disciples of Jesus worshiped together with the rest of the Hebrew community in the synagogues. They would then gather together themselves, for the "breaking of the bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42).

There was little or no thought of dividing lines between Judaism and Christianity. "They went to the temple area together every day, while in their homes, they broke bread" (Acts 2:46).

Acts continues to tell us some more history of the earliest communities believing in Jesus. In Chapters 6-7, we are introduced to Stephen's character. At first, he appears as one of the first "deacons" chosen to assist the apostles in their daily ministry, as the number of believers had increased significantly (Acts 6).

In chapter 7, Stephen is accused by we see Stephen defending himself before the Sanhedrin. He gives a marvelous testimony to the role of Jesus in fulfillment of the entire Old Testament history. However, the accusations against Stephen, that he has put Jesus and his teaching above the temple and Mosaic law, are true.

Ultimately, Stephen is executed. Luke places the scenario much in the same way as that of Jesus, with false witnesses brought against him and Stephen praying for his murderers, while asking the Lord to receive his spirit (Acts 7: 58-60).

With the death of Stephen, the differences between Judaism and Christianity began to appear. The community of disciples eventually took a firmer hold in Antioch in Syria, where the influences of the temple and the law were less pressing than in Jerusalem.

So, as the church continues to contemplate Jesus as a young child, it lifts up for the faithful, the first witness to make the ultimate sacrifice for the teaching that the Christ Child would come to express.

And so went Christmas, the third day . . .

On the second day of Christmas . . .

Well, today is the second day of the Nativity festival. It is called by the liturgical books, the "Synaxis of the Mother of God." As mentioned in my bulletin of last Sunday, the days after principal holydays in Byzantine times, were occasions on which the clergy and bishops held a sobor or "assembly." Synaxis in Greek means "a coming together." The days received their names after those who played a principal role in the festival just celebrated, so in this case, Mary as the one who gave birth to the Savior is recalled for the important part she played in salvation history.

Today I attended a "synaxis" of the local clergy from our area. Meeting once a month, the organization is known as PAPA or the Peekskill Area Pastors Association. It has been in existence for over 100 years and is comprised of members of almost every denomination and faith.

It seems to me to be a positive witness to unity through diversity and a way for the local faith community to respond to a united voice to important issues of faith and justice. This was seen most recently in the solidarity during the unfortunate hate crime committed in the vicinity. (See our website article on the topic: Metropolitan Mykhayil Reacts to Area Hate Crime for more info.)

The next major event for PAPA will be a celebration of prayer and song in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday. It will hopefully prove to be an event which promotes an upright spirit in the community and overcomes boundaries and negativity. We can only pray with positive expectation.

Here, yet another picture from our celebration of Julian calendar Christmas. Peace and goodness to all.

ХРИСТОС НАРОДИВСЯ! СЛАВІМО ЙОГО! CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! CRISTO HA NACIDO! GLORIFÍQENLO!

As we observe this joyous Nativity holyday on the Julian calendar, I wish all of you a blessed observance of Jesus' birth.

As one of our Ukrainian carols reminds us, the birth of Christ is but one of three holidays in the Christmas cycle. We have yet to celebrate the Feast of St. Basil (Jan. 1/14) and the great day of the Baptism of the Lord (Yordan - Jan. 6/19). So, three holidays to both celebrate the mysteries of salvation and make merry with family and friends.

While the celebration of the Julian Christmas cycle can be somewhat "anti-climatic" in the culture of the Americas, if nothing else, it separates the spiritual from the secular aspects of the feasts. This way, we can focus on the religious observance, saving the "hustle and bustle" for the December entity.

Here is a picture from our Christmas vigil service at our cathedral parish in New York.

Best regards to all of you, from my heart.

Los Tres Reyes y La Navidad

Coinciding with the observance of our Christmas Eve, is the Epiphany on the Gregorian Calendar. Among our local immigrant community, it is better known as el "Dia de Los Reyes."

Much like during the Christmastide in Ukraine, people hold public processions, dress as the Nativity characters and even carry aloft the Bethlehem Star.

Here is just a glimpse of the beautiful display of faith that we were able to be a part of today, after the Sunday Divine Liturgy.

Let's be grateful for the contributions of ALL of our immigrants now and in the past, to the society in which we are blessed to live.

The Day Approaches

As the Julian Christmas holiday rapidly approaches, I find myself, like every pastor, rushing to make sure every detail is covered.

My Christmas Pastoral Letter to the people of our Metropolia is now ready and available. You may read it at:Christmas Pastoral Letter

Also, if time permits, please check out our Sunday bulletins. This week's material can be found at: Sunday, January 6, 2008

At every Eucharistic Liturgy, during the "Great Entrance," I always mention "all those intentions which we hold in our hearts, all those who have asked our prayers and all those we have promised to pray for . . . " I think it's important because each of us brings to the church so many needs and desires, both spiritual and material. Additionally, we bring the intentions of others.

It is also my style to remember "all of our departed loved ones and friends, whom each of us calls to mind at this time, and who pray along with us in this spiritual sacrifice . . . " I truly believe that our beloved deceased do join us in prayer and no more strongly then when we gather for the Eucharistic sacrifice, when heaven and earth are united in "God's time."

Let everyone be assured of my prayers and thoughts as we celebrate tomorrow's Divine Liturgy.

Last minute details

Well, it's two days before Christmas which means a lot to do for the Metropolitan.

Besides preparing my usual bulletins and service booklets, Vladyka is busy baking prosphora for the blessing of loaves on Christmas Eve. It's a blessed job, though.

Hope your time is going well. Before you know it, the big day will be here.

Regards,

+MYKHAYIL

Prefestive time of Christmas - some liturgical particulars

As those of us Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian Calendar prepare for the Feast of the Nativity (Jan. 7), I take this chance to remind everyone that we are in these solemn days of "pre-festivity."

Christmas Eve is normally a day of strict fasting. Meat, dairy products, fish, oil and wine are traditionally prohibited. Since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, the day of "strict fast" is observed on the previous Friday, which is tomorrow. This occurs because neither Saturday or Sunday are ever kept as "strict fast" days in the church ustav (liturgical guidebook).

In addition, the usual Christmas Eve service known as the "royal hours" is also celebrated on this Friday, since their association is with the day of fasting. Likewise, instead of celebrating the Liturgy of St. Basil together with Vespers on the Eve of Christmas, this year Vespers are celebrated alone on the evening of January 6, followed by Great Compline with Litiya. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, in these instances, becomes the principal liturgy of the Nativity day.

Since this is easily overlooked, I thought I would mention it in today's entry. May we all enjoy a spiritual preparation for the observance of Our Lord's birth.

Yulia Tymoshenko uses modern methodology

As I was looking up some information today, I came across the personal website of Yulia Tymoshenko, the recently-appointed Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Published in Ukrainian, English and Russian, the English version can be accessed from this link: www.tymoshenko.com.ua/eng

Many will remember Yulia, who was the most visible and vociferous personality in the "Orange Revolution" of 2004. She is often compared to a Ukrainian "Eva Perón." Her powerful speeches and glamorous appearance gave unprecedented impetus to the Ukrainian populace.

The massive display of human presence in the streets and squares of Kyiv, lasting for several months, challenged the presidential elections and accomplished the proclamation of a re-vote which resulted in Viktor Yushchenko gaining the presidential office.

Much has happened in Ukrainian politics since those days, but Yulia is back, and stronger than ever. This was obvious during my October, 2007 visit to Ukraine, at which time she was most prominent in television and news media, working for her party's gain in the fall elections. As beautiful and eye-catching as ever, Yulia continues to have the charm that makes her so beloved.

Democratic in her visions and looking to see a Ukraine much more aligned with Europe and the West than it's long time Russian overseer to the north, Yulia can only be a light of hope for a Ukraine which is still finding its place among nations, after centuries of foreign and often cruel domination.

Happy New Year Ukraine. Keep on passing the torch of hope, Yulia.

2008 - HAPPY YEAR - FELIZ AÑO - ЩАСЛИВОГО НОВОГО РОКУ

To everyone who reads this blog, I sincerely wish a most blessed and happy New Year. I share with you a photo of the New Year celebration at the famous "Maidan" - the main square in Kyiv, the capitol of Ukraine.

May this year that is now upon us bring only happiness and contentment to our homes, our loved ones and ourselves.

In the spirit of faith and of trust, I believe that we will overcome obstacles and difficulties and build upon the good foundations that each of us has established, during this fresh time ahead of us.

May it be so! God bless us, everyone!

With Devotion,

+MYKHAYIL
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Remembering: My New Year Letter of 2005 - Hopeful and still food for thought!