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UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE
Two-fold celebration at
St. George Parish, Yardville, NJ
Sunday May 15, 2016 important historic date in the life of the parish family of St. George in Yardville, NJ. On this Warm Spring Sunday, the parish community was celebrating two occasions. The parish Feast Day of St. George and anniversary of priesthood of their pastor Very Rev. Peter Levko.
Yardville parish of St. George has been serving God and His people for 62 years. Rev. Peter has been serving as a priest in God’s vineyard for 25 years. Therefore, the celebration was extra special. His Eminence Metropolitan Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA paid a visit. The celebration began with the procession of His Eminence to the Holy temple accompanied by two deacons, four seminarians, a lot of altar servers and children carrying flowers. His Eminence Antony was greeted at the church by parish council president George Shtander and president of St. Olga’s sisterhood Olga Zeleznok. Very Rev. Michael Hontaruk from St. Vladimir’s of Parma OH and Very Rev. Vasyl Sendeha from Sts. Peter & Paul of Palos Park, IL along with their father-in-law Rev. Peter joined His Eminence at the altar.
The day turned into a great day of St. George’s parish family as their temple filled with worshipers triumphed through the Festal Divine Liturgy. The magnificent singing of the choir, chatter of anxious kids, sound of bells on the censors, smell of incense and beeswax burning candles; all were adding up to the joyous celebration. Following the Divine Liturgy His Eminence Antony has giving a special blessings and recognition certificate to the prominent people of the parish: Wasyl Dereka, Greg Kenen, Mykola Kutoviy, Mykola Kopan, Mykola Ilchenko, Ivan Ivahnenko, Anatoli Kutovij, Boris Uman and Valantina Holl.
The celebration continued in the church hall were the tables were heavily laden with a lot of food. It was the feast of feasts indeed prepared by the ladies of St. Olga’s sisterhood led by main chef Marina Skutar. Children of the parish gave an awesome concert filled with singing, poem reciting and of course Ukie dancing. People were at awe observing the children’s performance. Very Rev. Peter and his PM Maria were greeted on the anniversary of 25 years of priesthood with flowers, homemade delicious cakes and warm words. It seemed like there was an ending river of flowers. Metropolitan Antony gave out flowers to every person who worked very hard in the kitchen as well as in the hall to prepare for the celebration. After the official part of the celebration began the so called unofficial part with feasting on fabulous food and dancing accompanied by the live band “Cheremosh.”
by Rev. Vasyl Sendeha
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