OLMSTED FALLS, OH [DOM] – On Saturday March 15, the Second Saturday of Great Lent, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest served a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St Innocent Church in Olmsted Falls, OH.
Serving with the Archbishop were Mitered Archpriest Basil Stoyka, Mitered Archpriest John Zdinak, Priest Esteban Vázquez, Priest Peter Simko, Priest John Kotalik, Priest Mark Therrien, Priest John York, Protodeacon Michael Timko, Protodeacon Joseph Carter, and Deacon Noah Klembara. Ellen D’Fantis directed the choir.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence ordained seminarian Pedro Sarsamă to the Holy Diaconate.
Diocesan seminarians Paul Cole Schlafer and Rdr Cuthbert Schreder traveled from St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary to support their brother and classmate. Also in attendance was the Very Reverend Abbess Christophora and members of the holy sisterhood of the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA.
At the end of the service, His Eminence offered encouragement and prayers for Dn Pedro, Matushka Keely, and the Sarsamă family; His Eminence exhorted the new deacon to live up to the high calling of his new office, reminding all in attendance that authentic service to one’s community, particularly to the poor, the oppressed, and the alone, is at the core of diaconal service in particular and all Christian ministry.
Dn Pedro served his first Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy with Archpriest Ján Čižmár at St Theodosius Cathedral, where he will be assigned for his summer internship.
