APOPKA, Fla. – In the 1970s, a group of Ukrainians bought acres of orchard land in Apopka and started to build homes and plant fruit trees for themselves. But this wasn’t enough – they needed a place of worship as a Ukrainian Catholic community. A fund-raising drive commenced, resulting in the building of a church and community center named St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church of Apopka.
On January 7, 1979, Christmas Day according to the Julian calendar, the first liturgy was celebrated by Father Andrij Nazarewycz, pastor.
Forty years later on October 13, the parish celebrated the feast day of the Mother of God’s Protection, and liturgy was concelebrated by Father Jaroslav Shudrak, pastor, and two visiting pastors, Father Bohdan Barytsky of the Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Father Vasyl Petriv of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Northport, Fla.
At the parish’s 40th anniversary celebration (from left) are: Dobrodiyka Ivanka and Father Bohdan Barytsky from Northport, Fla., and Dobrodiyka Luba and Father Vasyl Petriv from St. Petersburg, Fla.
The celebration started with the rosary, followed by the blessing of the water and divine liturgy.
Following the service, parishioners were invited to a bountiful buffet. The entertainment included the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami. The singing and dancing were fantastic. Special acknowledgment was given to the event committee for its hard work and dedication.
St. Mary’s is located at 45 Lake McCoy Drive, Apopka, FL 32712, a short distance north of Orlando. Additional details can be found on the website http://stmaryukrchurchorlando.org/ or on the Facebook page Ukrchurchorl. Visitors are always welcome.