MAPLEWOOD, N.J. – Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel, hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., concelebrated a hierarchical divine liturgy on October 20 to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Maplewood, N.J.
Speaking afterwards at the anniversary reception, Parish Board President Lynne Gulak noted the sacrifices made by the pioneers of Holy Ascension parish, with its founding in Newark, N.J., in 1918 with over 700 members. She stated in her greeting: “…As we celebrate 100 years, the faithful church family worshipped in four different church buildings; three buildings were located in Newark – Morton Street, Court Street, and 19th Street – and our present building is located on Irvington Avenue in Maplewood, N.J. Our founding fathers experienced many trials on their journey but they remained true to their mission, ever moving forward, holding on to their faith and traditions. With prayer and faith we are here today to celebrate the fruits of their labors on this 100-year milestone.”
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Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel are joined by clergy at the beginning of the hierarchical divine liturgy.
“Our work for the future,” she told The Weekly, “is to reach out to our community as a viable parish for the next 100 years.”
Prior to the divine liturgy, the hierarchs were formally greeted with flowers and the traditional bread and salt by Parish Board President Lynne Gulak and the Very Rev. Oleh Hucul, as well as members of the parish lay organizations – the brotherhood, sisterhood and the Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOL) chapters.
Joining the celebratory service were Protopresbyter Taras Chubenko, the Very Revs. John Nakonachny (former pastor of Holy Ascension, 1972-1987), Anthony Perkins, Jakiw Norton, Taras Naumenko, Zinoviy Zharsky and the Rev. Vasyl Pasakas, as well as the Rev. Deacons Ivan Tchopko (who was ordained a priest the following day in South Bound Brook, N.J.), Richard Jendras and Michael Abrahamson.
Other clergy in attendance included the Very Rev. Steve Repa and Rev. Deacon Sviatoslav Hot’.
Parish Board President Lynne Gulak and Daniel Gulak are recognized for their work with Holy Ascension parish.
The church choir, under the direction of Michael Komichak, included singers from St. Andrew the First-Called Memorial Ukrainian Orthodox Church and other area churches, as well as seminarians from St. Sophia Theological Seminary in South Bound Brook, N.J.
Following divine liturgy, parish members were recognized for their years of service and dedication to Holy Ascension. Recipients included: Daniel and Lynne Gulak, Michael and Daria Komichak, the late choir director Leonid Charczenko (posthumously accepted by his wife, Luba Charczenko), Vsevolod Luckewicz (former longtime parish board president) and Zina Minchenko (a longtime parishioner who has generously funded purchases, including the church’s chandelier, church banners and new altar vestments).
In the afternoon, a banquet was held at the Maplewood Country Club, with Mr. Komichak as master of ceremonies. Welcoming remarks and greetings were delivered by the Very Rev. Hucul, Mrs. Gulak, Metropolitan Antony and the Very Rev. Nakonachny.
Archbishop Daniel reads the service award certificates presented to parish members for their longtime work and support of the church.
A statement of greeting, signed by Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel, stated: “…Our prayer during this celebration is that each member of the Holy Ascension Parish family will rededicate himself or herself to the strengthening of that foundation and be open to a willingness to do whatever is necessary to ensure a positive future for succeeding generations… We cannot simply hope the parish will ‘survive’ until we die off. Survival is not life. Realizing that the only way we can truly celebrate this anniversary is to jump into the future with our descendants – this is life. We are alive in Christ if and when we are willing to offer His love, His teachings and His strength to others.”
Former parish board president Vsevolod Luckewicz receives an award for his longtime service to the church from Archbishop Daniel.
The Very Rev. Hucul, in a celebratory letter, stated: “…Our ancestors could only hope that this occasion would come because they knew they would not live to see it. Today, on the occasion of our 100th anniversary it is most fitting that we honor them, with prayerful thanksgiving to All-mighty God. They looked and worked toward the future in this land, yet rooted in the good earth, culture, traditions and humble faith of their beloved, God-protected Ukraine. We honor them, and as they did, we too pray and work for the benefit and future of this parish, rooted in our past because now we are the inheritors of their legacy.”
The Very Rev. Nakonachny, in a letter of greeting, wrote: “…This day is truly a time to rejoice – to recall the many blessings and precious moments that God has bestowed upon your parish from its humble beginning in Newark in 1918. That beginning led to the establishment of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States of America with the first Sobor in 1924 and the greeting of our first bishop, Metropolitan John (Teodorovych), by your parish. This celebration is truly a celebration of our entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
Zina Minchenko, who donated funds for the church’s chandelier, banners and altar vestments, is awarded for her service by Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel.
He added: “…On a personal note, Pani Matka Mary Anne, my children, Melanie and Michael, and I are grateful that Holy Ascension was our first assignment. Your love and support for us from the time we were assigned to the parish in 1972, and even until this day is profoundly appreciated. We have so many fond memories with the Holy Ascension parish family and you will always remain in our hearts. Please accept our most sincere congratulations and prayers on this glorious day.”
Statements of greeting and congratulations were also received from President Donald Trump, New Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy, Mayor Victor De Luca of Maplewood, N.J., John Holowko, president of the Ukrainian Orthodox League, and Alexander Shevchuk, president of the UOL parish chapter.
Daria and Michael Komichak, who both sing in the church choir, with Mr. Komichak as choir director, are presented their service award.
While guests were enjoying coffee and dessert, parish organization representatives from the brotherhood, sisterhood and the UOL presented monetary gifts for the centennial celebration. The Rev. Hucul was presented a plaque for his 24 years of service to Holy Ascension parish.
A selection of Ukrainian folk songs was performed by the seminarians, with the audience joining in as well.
A commemorative centennial booklet was prepared with historical notes and photos documenting the history of Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church. For more information, readers may telephone 973-763-7644 or visit www.facebook.com/ukrainianorthodoxchurchofholyascension/.