His Grace Bishop Daniel, the Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America, arrives for a two-day visit Oct. 24-25 at Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church. Courtesy photo
Father Theophan, pastor of Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church, presents a cross decorated by the children of the parish to His Grace Bishop Daniel for his veneration and blessing. Courtesy photo
CHURCH News:
His Grace Bishop Daniel, the Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America, made his first official visit to the parish of Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church Oct. 24 and 25, in Los Alamos.
He presided over Great Vespers Saturday evening and served the Divine Liturgy the following morning, helping the parish family celebrate the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council.
Sunday morning the children of the parish offered His Grace flowers; Nicholas-Michael Gordon presented him the traditional offering of bread and salt; and Father Theophan, their pastor, presented a cross decorated by the children for his veneration and blessing. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace presented Father Theophan and the parish with a large icon of Job of Pochaiv written by Michael Kapeluck. It is a stunning icon and will forever be cherished by the people.
Bishop Daniel spoke to the congregation of the dual nature of Christian life. We must “plug-in” to the source of our spirituality, the Church and community, and then we must go out into the world to spread the word and live in service to others. In essence, “Enter to worship, exit to serve.”
During his visit, he met with parishioners, catechumens, and the parish council, and gave wise advice and inspiration to the gathered faithful. There was record attendance at both Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy. Many visitors were present, eager to witness this historic visit.
With God’s Grace, the parish of Saint Job will be moving into a new facility better suited to church life and more centrally located in the town of Los Alamos. Bishop Daniel toured the new facility, which is still in the process of renovation, and gave his enthusiastic blessing to the move. The construction contractor has said work may begin in earnest this coming week, and much of the work will be done by volunteers in the parish community.
It was a blessed time for the people of the newest community in the UOC of USA.
His Grace Bishop Daniel presents Father Theophan and the parish with a large icon of Job of Pochaiv written by Michael Kapeluck. Courtesy photo
Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church. Courtesy photo
