Dear Editor:
On June 14, the Ukrainian community of Newark, N.J., held a dual ceremony for their beloved priest, the Rev. Leonid Malkov: a jubilant celebration of the 25th anniversary of his priesthood and, simultaneously, a sad farewell after 20 years of service at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church. He will surely be missed by most, if not all, the parishioners.
My wife, Halyna, and I met Father Leonid five years ago, when he asked me join the parish’s festival committee. My initial observation of his style of administration was favorable. He was not authoritarian. He was a guide, like a good gentle shepherd.
But I really found out how dedicated and pious he is in his vocation when we went to the parastas for a local young man and witnessed something that we have never witnessed before. Here stood a humble person who tearfully choked on his words during almost the entire service. Several years later, he exhibited a similar posture when, after the holy liturgy, during the panakhyda for the Maidan’s Heavenly Brigade, his emotional tears soon spread to the faces of all the parishioners. Imagine the entire church in tears. What a sight! At that panakhyda, tears filled my eyes and trickled down my face. To me, that is a very special person who is serving God and His people.
Three years ago, Halyna and I donated a “Ukrainian Festival” stage backdrop to the parish. When we arrived at the festival, we saw Father Leonid being mesmerized by the beauty of that backdrop. I watched him motionless for about five minutes. Then, as I touched him on the shoulder, I received a big hug and a thank you that I will never forget. Unfortunately, some people, including clergy, do not know how to thank someone for a good deed.
Father Leonid is a down-to-earth people’s priest – mixing with them, talking to them and working with them. Every year, at our annual parish picnic, he was constantly helping and serving the parishioners.
The archdiocese lost a friend, too. On numerous occasions, Father Leonid tried very hard to intercede in a rift with the archbishop. Lord only knows how many times he asked me to settle this rift with forgiveness. He asked me to pray and ask our Lord to give me strength to forgive.
So long, our friend, but not good-bye. ‘Til we meet again.
Brick, N.J.