McHENRY, IL [DOM] – The memory of the great wonderworker, St. Nicholas of Myra, was commemorated on December 19, the saint’s feast on the Julian Calendar, by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest. The Archbishop celebrated the altar feast of St. Nicholas Church, McHenry, IL, with local clergy and faithful.
Adding to the joy of the feast was also the Chicago Deanery’s celebration of Archbishop Daniel’s 70th birthday. The original celebration was postponed due to the passing of Archbishop Peter, and was rescheduled to coincide with the feast of the parish’s heavenly patron.
The Divine Liturgy was conducted in English and Church Slavonic, with a Cross Procession following liturgy. At the conclusion of the services, Mitered Archpriest Vladimir Kovalchuk greeted His Eminence, the clergy, and visitors. Special greetings were read in honor of the Archbishop’s birthday from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovina. Following the reading of the fraternal greetings, the Archbishop commented on his gratitude for their friendship, and offered a few words on how Metropolitan Onufry is a good example for Christians, and resembles St. Nicholas in his faithfulness to the Church.
The Chicago Deanery presented Archbishop Daniel with a new set of white vestments and a miter as a gift from the parishes to mark the occasion.
Following the veneration of the cross, a celebration in honor of the feast and the Archbishop’s birthday was held in the hall. The celebration featured performances from the children of the parish and the faithful expressing their sincere congratulations to the Archbishop.
