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On sunny but cool autumn morning parishioners of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Johnson City NY, together with the guests gathered to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the parish.
After customary greeting of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony by Jr. UOL, Sisterhood, Parish President and the priest celebration began with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
Metropolitan Antony was assisted by the following clergy: Protopresbyter Myron Oryhon, V. Rev. Mykola Andrushkiv, Rev. Ivan Synevskyy, Rev. Vasyl Shak and Deacon Philip Harendza. Seminarians Subdn. Mykola Zomchak, Hryhoriy Matviiv and Vladyslav Huk with parish altar servers provided great help without any mistakes or delays.
The choir under the direction of Melodye Onysko continued to uplift the hearts with beautiful melodies and hymns. You can just feel the power of more than 35 choir members that encourages you to just join them and be part of the prayer.
His Eminence Metropolitan Antony in his enlightening sermon about the importance of listing all the generations of Jesus Christ reminded everyone that while we remember those 90 years looking back we should also look ahead and reflect on our plan how to continue the following 100 years. The past should help us to move forward into the future and should never become the stumbling block. Our connection to this parish has a great significance in our life. Now we can introduce ourselves as “I’m from St. John Parish” that brings attention, importance and visibility. The same way Matthew was portraying the link of Jesus Christ to Patriarch Abraham, Prophet King David and others to the Jews.
Fr. Ivan Synevskyy presented to Vladyka Antony icon, copy of the altar iconography, as remembrance of this 90th anniversary. Four parishioners were awarded Blessed Certificate from Metropolitan and icon from parish for their dedication, love and use of their talents for the glory of God. They are John Maliwacki Sr., Lesia Klysh, John Tylko and Mary Ann Klish.
Family Picnic was provided by St. Mary Sisterhood. Pig roast was done by Dr. Mark Hatala. St. John Parish is know in the area also by the good Ukrainian food. We don’t have to explain – it’s just good, always!