Patronal Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul
Celebrant His Eminence. Metropolitan Antony
Submitted by Sarah Hutnick
On a beautiful, Sunday afternoon, June 12 the Parish Family of Saints Peter and Paul in Wilmington, Delaware celebrated their Patronal Feastday according to the Julian Calendar. With the arrival of our Eparchial Bishop and Spiritual Father, His Eminence, Metropolitan Antony, the Church bells rang out with joy. Accompanying His Eminence were Protodeacon Ihor Mahlay, Deacon Mykola Stephanyk, Subdeacon Yaroslav Bilohan and Subdeacon Yurii Izhak. Awaiting his arrival in the back of the Church were Pastor, Protopresbyter Stephen Hutnick, Protopresbyter George Drozdowski, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Protopresbyter Constantine Christo, attached to our Parish Family.
First to greet His Eminence was Kathy Duncan, President of the Parish Sisterhood and Assistant Financial Secretary of the Parish Board, who presented a colorful bouquet. Linda Hnatow, a Trustee of the Parish Board, greeted our Metropolitan with a beautiful “korovaiy” and salt which she had baked in his honor. Father Stephen then greeted our Spiritual Father expressing the joy of the Parish Family at having him present to pray with us as we celebrate our 99th year of serving the Lord. He pointed out that our Patrons were special even today as Peter represented the traditions of the past while Paul went out and brought others into the Church. With the kissing of the Cross by the clergy, Protodeacon Ihor intoned “Wisdom” and the Parish Choir, under the direction of Nancy Hlywiak, began the beautiful hymn to the Mother of God and the procession to the front of the Church began.
During his sermon, His Eminence spoke about our Patron Saints. He noted the differences between the two: Peter was an uneducated fisherman while Paul was a scholar of the Law, having been taught by the preeminent teachers of Judaism. Peter denied Christ, Paul persecuted Him. Peter was an Apostle to the Jews, Paul an Apostle to the Gentiles. Peter a Jew, was crucified on a cross upside down, Paul, a Roman citizen was beheaded. Both Apostles were martyred in Rome.
The Metropolitan pointed out that both men had their weaknesses. Peter was impulsive, quick to jump in before he knew what the consequences might be. Paul was more calculating; thinking things through and waiting before he acted. Peter repented, Paul persevered. Neither one was perfect – and it is this imperfection that God’s grace is manifested. He reminded us that you do not have to be perfect to be a Saint, you do need to repent and persevere.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, all gathered in the Parish Hall to celebrate and break the fast of the Apostles’ together. A beautiful meal was prepared by the women of the Parish under the chairperson Linda Hnatow. After the meal, Father Stephen thanked the women for the wonderful meal which everyone enjoyed. He also thanked Vitalii Genseruk for coming in on Saturday to fix the air conditioning systems in both the Church and the hall so that we were cool for both the Liturgy and the Dinner. Father reminded everyone that next year is our 100th Anniversary of Service to the Lord and that both His Eminence, Metropolitan and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel will be present to pray with us. His Eminence challenged the people present that they must be like the Apostles Peter and Paul to bring people into the Church. He looks forward to seeing the Church and the Hall full of people to celebrate the 100th Anniversary.
With the blessing of the Metropolitan, the meal was over and everyone departed being fed both spiritually and physically.
On a beautiful, Sunday afternoon, June 12 the Parish Family of Saints Peter and Paul in Wilmington, Delaware celebrated their Patronal Feastday according to the Julian Calendar. With the arrival of our Eparchial Bishop and Spiritual Father, His Eminence, Metropolitan Antony, the Church bells rang out with joy. Accompanying His Eminence were Protodeacon Ihor Mahlay, Deacon Mykola Stephanyk, Subdeacon Yaroslav Bilohan and Subdeacon Yurii Izhak. Awaiting his arrival in the back of the Church were Pastor, Protopresbyter Stephen Hutnick, Protopresbyter George Drozdowski, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Protopresbyter Constantine Christo, attached to our Parish Family.
First to greet His Eminence was Kathy Duncan, President of the Parish Sisterhood and Assistant Financial Secretary of the Parish Board, who presented a colorful bouquet. Linda Hnatow, a Trustee of the Parish Board, greeted our Metropolitan with a beautiful “korovaiy” and salt which she had baked in his honor. Father Stephen then greeted our Spiritual Father expressing the joy of the Parish Family at having him present to pray with us as we celebrate our 99th year of serving the Lord. He pointed out that our Patrons were special even today as Peter represented the traditions of the past while Paul went out and brought others into the Church. With the kissing of the Cross by the clergy, Protodeacon Ihor intoned “Wisdom” and the Parish Choir, under the direction of Nancy Hlywiak, began the beautiful hymn to the Mother of God and the procession to the front of the Church began.
During his sermon, His Eminence spoke about our Patron Saints. He noted the differences between the two: Peter was an uneducated fisherman while Paul was a scholar of the Law, having been taught by the preeminent teachers of Judaism. Peter denied Christ, Paul persecuted Him. Peter was an Apostle to the Jews, Paul an Apostle to the Gentiles. Peter a Jew, was crucified on a cross upside down, Paul, a Roman citizen was beheaded. Both Apostles were martyred in Rome.
The Metropolitan pointed out that both men had their weaknesses. Peter was impulsive, quick to jump in before he knew what the consequences might be. Paul was more calculating; thinking things through and waiting before he acted. Peter repented, Paul persevered. Neither one was perfect – and it is this imperfection that God’s grace is manifested. He reminded us that you do not have to be perfect to be a Saint, you do need to repent and persevere.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, all gathered in the Parish Hall to celebrate and break the fast of the Apostles’ together. A beautiful meal was prepared by the women of the Parish under the chairperson Linda Hnatow. After the meal, Father Stephen thanked the women for the wonderful meal which everyone enjoyed. He also thanked Vitalii Genseruk for coming in on Saturday to fix the air conditioning systems in both the Church and the hall so that we were cool for both the Liturgy and the Dinner. Father reminded everyone that next year is our 100th Anniversary of Service to the Lord and that both His Eminence, Metropolitan and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel will be present to pray with us. His Eminence challenged the people present that they must be like the Apostles Peter and Paul to bring people into the Church. He looks forward to seeing the Church and the Hall full of people to celebrate the 100th Anniversary.
With the blessing of the Metropolitan, the meal was over and everyone departed being fed both spiritually and physically.
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Happy Birthday America!!
On Sunday, July 5th our Parish Family celebrated the 250th Birthday of the United States of America
Prayer for the United States of America
O Lord God Almighty, bless the United States of America as we give thanks for the gift of liberty. Guide our leaders with wisdom, strengthen all who serve our nation, protect our families, and inspire us to live in justice, peace and love for one another. Keep us faithful to You, that this land may always be a beacon of hope, compassion, and freedom for all. Through the prayers of the Most Holy Birth-giver of God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Prayer for the United States of America
O Lord God Almighty, bless the United States of America as we give thanks for the gift of liberty. Guide our leaders with wisdom, strengthen all who serve our nation, protect our families, and inspire us to live in justice, peace and love for one another. Keep us faithful to You, that this land may always be a beacon of hope, compassion, and freedom for all. Through the prayers of the Most Holy Birth-giver of God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Our Parish Sponsors Troop #70, The Peacemakers Boy Scout Troop.
We are very proud of them. Check out their web page!
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Welcome to our Parish Family
The Parish Family of Saints Peter and Paul is a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. located in Wilmington, Delaware. Our Church embraces those who hunger for love, comfort, fulfillment and hope. “Come and see” how you can change your life and the lives of others for the better by joining a dedicated team of disciples as we seek to discover and live our calling through strong, dynamic, faithful and purposeful service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although we are very proud of our Ukrainian heritage, most of our services are celebrated in English and are sung according to traditional melodies. Everyone is welcome to come and pray with us.
Divine Liturgy is every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Check out our calendar for other services and holiday schedules. Our Mission
The Mission of our Church is to offer healing, comfort, wholeness, spiritual fulfillment and joy as we work together to reveal the beauty of God’s creation by proclaiming and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our church doors are always open to anyone who hears the voice of Christ calling them to "Come and see!"
Our Purpose
It is the purpose of our Parish Family to bring the Gospel message of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to as many people who hear the call of Christ and are searching for a Community that follows the Tradition of the Ancient Church. Given to the first Apostles by Christ, Himself. The Orthodox Christian Church was born on Pentecost Sunday and has traveled the road of two thousand years without change, steeped in Apostolic tradition and Apostolic succession in its lineage of Bishops.
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Our Bishops
The Primate of our Church is His Eminence, Metropolitan Antony, the ruling Bishop of the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.
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We are in spiritual communion with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All-Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew,
the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew. |
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Fathers Reflections
Comments and feedback may be emailed to Fr. Stephen Hutnick at [email protected]. Please also feel free to forward any questions that you might have about our Parish Family or the Orthodox Faith.
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Upcoming EventsBazaarSpring Bazaar date TBD because of Covid-19 restrictions
Pierogi ScheduleMiss out, or want to order more perogies? Click on the link below to learn more about our perogie sales.
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Come Visit1406 Philadelphia Pike
Wilmimgton, DE 19809 |
