Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo Ordains a New Priest for St. Josaphat Eparchy (USA)

On April 18, 2019 – Holy Thursday, according to the Gregorian calendar this year – Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo, Eparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, ordained a new priest for his eparchy during a solemn Vespers with the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the Cathedral of Saint Josaphat in Parma, Ohio. Deacon Sviatoslav Ditchuk, a native of Lviv (Ukraine), was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood during poignant liturgical celebrations on Holy Thursday – the day, when the Universal Church celebrates the establishing by Jesus Christ of the Holy Mysteries of Eucharist and Priesthood – amidst the presence of numerous priests, deacons, sub-deacons, religious, and laity of the Ukrainian Catholic and Roman Catholic Churches. The ordination Liturgy, filled with the heartfelt and numerous “Axios” for the newly ordained priest, was followed by the moving Rite of the Washing of the Feet, after which Bishop Bohdan delivered a homily, addressing in a special way Fr. Sviatoslav as well as his mother, who unfortunately could not be present personally during her son’s ordination, yet who was able to join everyone at St. Josaphat Cathedral via one of the modern means of communication. At the end of the liturgical celebrations, a traditional heartfelt “Many years” was sung, especially to Fr. Sviatoslav. Afterwards, the newly ordained priest gave his first sacerdotal blessing to Bishop Bohdan, priests, deacons, and everyone else present, especially to his family and friends. After the services in the cathedral, those present were invited to a festive luncheon in the nearby cathedral parish’s hall.

Fr. Sviatoslav, who received his education and formation at the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Lviv (Ukraine), has recently been ordained a deacon by Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo at the Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma and, together with his wife Marta, has now made his new home in the United States of America. The newly ordained presbyter has been assigned by Bishop Bohdan as an Assistant Pastor at St. Josaphat Cathedral in Parma.

The clergy, religious, and laity of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma congratulate the new presbyter on the occasion of his ordination to the Priesthood and wish Fr. Sviatoslav in his priestly ministry our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s choicest blessings through the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and all the Angels and Saints. Axios!

Department of Information of the UGCC