Ceremonies to mark consecration anniversary of UOC-U.S.A. grounds (09/01/02)

Ceremonies to mark consecration anniversary of UOC-U.S.A. grounds

by Hieromonk Daniel

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. - A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the consecration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's Metropolia Grounds will take place on Saturday, September 28. The the day will begin at 9 a.m. with thanks to God for His many blessings upon the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. during a hierarchal divine liturgy.

Following divine liturgy there will be a moleben and at 11:30 a.m. the blessing of an apostolic prayer trail, which will wind its way through the property returning to a central Shrine of the Transfiguration on the green in front of St. Andrew Memorial Church. The theme of the prayer trail will be "personal transfiguration." It will consist of the central shrine and 14 cross/icon shrines, each of which will house an icon of the Apostles, including Ss. Volodymyr and Olha, who are considered equal to the apostles. By their example Ss. Volodymyr and Olha transfigured or transformed the Ukrainian nation into a Christ-loving people and Rus'-Ukraine into a renowned spiritual center of the Christian world after the state's baptism on the nation in 988.

The individual pilgrim will walk the path of this prayer trail, with a prayer book in hand, or by reading the prayers attached to the cross/shrines, beseeching the individual apostles to intercede for the pilgrim before God. The pilgrim will seek to be transfigured and infused with an apostolic zeal that will enable him or her to enlighten the world, as did the original apostles. The goal is to open the hearts and minds of the faithful so that the UOC-U.S.A. begins a new period of spiritual and physical growth.

The entire celebration on September 28 will focus on youths. They will come from parishes all around the nation and from all the waves of immigration to participate in prayer, then an agape feast at 1 p.m., followed by a concert and banquet.

Faithful from all UOC-U.S.A. parishes are urged to attend; the organization of buses is encouraged. Special arrangements have been made with local hotels for those who wish to stay overnight.

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