55th annual Ukrainian Orthodox League convention held in Boston (08/18/02)

55th annual Ukrainian Orthodox League convention held in Boston

by Hieromonk Daniel

BOSTON - St. Andrew Senior and Junior Chapters of the Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOL) in Boston hosted the 55th annual UOL Convention on July 17-21. Representatives of UOL chapters from all over the country gathered in this historic city to share faith, fellowship and fun.

Mayor Thomas Menino, greeted the delegates and encouraged them "to take advantage of America's first city and all it has to offer - excitement, warmth and hospitality of the people of Boston." Numerous greetings from other dignitaries of the city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts ensured every visitor-delegate of the sincerity and hospitality of this northeastern state.

One of the greatest joys was to see the reunion of friends, handshakes, new acquaintances and pride of membership in an organization that is founded on Gospel teachings of Christ.

The events of the five-day meeting began with common prayer by those who arrived in the early evening on Wednesday, July 17. With prayer on their lips and a moment of silence, the numerous clergy and faithful of the UOC of the U.S.A. remembered those who perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Being in Boston, one of the greatest and oldest cities of the United States and one of the cities involved in the tragic events of September 11 renewed the spirit and courage of every delegate.

After the singing of the national anthem of the United States of America, the convention body proceeded with its usual agenda. Warm welcoming remarks were extended by Senior UOL President Daria Pishko; Junior UOL President John D. Meschisen; Archimandrite Andriy, the spiritual father to the convention committee and the pastor of St. Andrew Ukrainian Parish; Sandra Kondratiuk, senior convention committee chairman, and Valentina Geba, Julia Nary and Taisa Priester, the junior convention co-chairs.

The welcoming session would not have been the same without the presence of the juniors, who almost seemed to be in the majority for this first session - a fact that speaks strongly of the quality and dedication of the youth of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. The first day ended with prayer, which was at the center of all of the meetings and gives evidence of the UOL living up to its motto: "Dedicated to our Church and devoted to her youth."

A Hospitality Reception sponsored by the convention committee followed the first session, giving all the delegates the opportunity to socialize and renew friendships and acquaintances.

The second day of the convention began with the holy mystery of repentance and a divine liturgy, at which Archbishop Antony addressed the delegates of the convention, conveying the most sincere greetings of Metropolitan Constantine, who for the first time in decades was not able to attend the UOL Convention due to his recent hospitalization for open heart surgery. The archbishop called upon the delegates to reflect upon the glorious Transfiguration of our Lord, which tells us that "Our world is enveloped in the wonder of divine mystery. Ours is to enter into the great mystery of love in faith. Ours is to lovingly embrace the mystery of the kingdom of God within us so that it shines through in our lives of loving service."

The delegates to the convention were obviously moved to share in the presence and spiritual leadership of their hierarchs - Metropolitan Constantine and Archbishops Antony and Vsevolod' who were present to offer their spiritual guidance during the entire convention.

The participants of the Junior Convention sang the responses during the divine liturgy under the skillful direction of Larissa Sadoway from Boston's Senior UOL Chapter.

Thursday was a most productive and joyful day of the convention as delegates broke into various convention committees, such as: Clergy Candidate, Education, Nominations, Constitution, Christian Care-Giving and Missions, Youth, and Ways and Means, which were able to positively reflect upon the present state of the UOL and the UOC of the U.S.A. by developing a number of resolutions and suggestions to contribute to the development of the league and the Church.

The evening social events included a most interesting tour of the USS Constitution - "Old Ironsides" - located in the Charlestown Navy Yard and manned by an active duty U.S. Navy crew. After a thorough security check by the crew, the convention delegates visited the oldest active commissioned U.S. Navy vessel, which remains a powerful symbol of American freedom. The evening ended with a buffet dinner and a dance at the local Officers' Club.

On Friday, July 19, junior convention participants visited and toured Holy Transfiguration Monastery, where they were able to reflect on the daily life of a monastic community that unceasingly intercedes in prayer to the merciful Lord on behalf of all humanity.

The third day of the senior convention again began with common prayer and a powerful evangelical lecture by Hieromonk Joshua, who spoke on the meaning of evangelization and the role of the true Orthodox Christian in the daily life of the given community.

During the plenary sessions that followed, the various convention committees made their reports to the full convention body for approval. Plans were approved for the next full year for the development of all UOL projects, such as scholarship funds, publications, youth activities, mission activities, educational seminars and programs. The resolutions of the convention were adopted, expressing the UOL's concerns about the issues of the day.

Even though the official business sessions had concluded, the convention program continued through the weekend. Saturday, July 20, began with the Akathist to the Mother of God of Pochayiv followed by another presentation by Hieromonk Joshua, who stressed the importance of bearing witness to Christ's message in our daily lives. At the end of the presentation delegates presented Father Joshua with gifts to assist him in his missionary pastoral work in North and South Carolina.

The evening brought one of the most anticipated events of any convention, the annual UOL convention banquet and ball. The banquet began with the introduction of the newly elected Junior and Senior UOL boards by the master of ceremonies, Dr. Alec Danylevych. Numerous awards and scholarships were presented to UOL members and chapters during the banquet program.

Archbishop Antony delivered greetings on behalf of Metropolitan Constantine. Greetings were read from Nadiya Mirchuk, president of the United Ukrainian Orthodox Sisterhoods, who called upon UOL members to join together in their efforts toward the development of a Historical and Educational Cultural Complex in South Bound Brook, N.J. The grand ball followed the banquet, and entertainment was provided by Burya, a band well known throughout the United States and Canada.

Archbishop Antony and Archbishop Vsevolod and several clergy concelebrated a hierarchal divine liturgy on Sunday. The delegates enjoyed a farewell luncheon and musical concert by "Barabolya" that drew the youths into joyful participation and at the same time was an educational experience for them - enabling many of the fourth-generation delegates to further their Ukrainian language skills.

As the sun was spreading its last rays of the summer heat that day, the activities of the UOL's 55th convention were coming to an end. Youths were leaving for the Teenage Conference that was to open its 2002 session, while senior delegates were going home. Everyone said, not "good-bye" but "so long" because the 56th Annual UOL Convention hosted by the Senior and Junior UOL Chapters of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox parish of Palos Park, Ill., is only 11 months away.

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