Deacon James Cairns Ordained to the Holy Priesthood
Deacon James Cairns Ordained to the Holy Priesthood

Deacon James Cairns Ordained to the Holy Priesthood

Photos by Seminarian Yaroslav Bilohan

On Saturday, September 9, 2017, the fullness of the Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of United States of America welcomed a new Priest into the midst of priestly ranks. By the Grace of God and through the laying on of hands of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, the Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy and President of Consistory of the UOC of the USA, Deacon James Cairns of St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Carteret, NJ and a graduate of Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Bound Brook, NJ) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.

The Divine Liturgy started with the greeting of the hierarch by the children, members of the parish’s board of administration and the pastor of the parish congregation - Protopresbyter Taras Chubenko, mentioning that the parish is blessed with a new vocation of a Priest. Concelebrating with Archbishop Daniel were Protopresbyter Taras Chubenko, pastor of St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Carteret, NJ and Dean of NY/NJ Deanery; Very Rev. Fr. John Haluszczak, pastor of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, PA; Very Rev. Fr. Antony Perkins, pastor of the Protection of the Birth-Giver of God Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, PA; Rev. Fr. Paisius McGrath, pastor of Sts Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Lyndora, PA; Rev. Fr. Mark Swindel, pastor Protection of the Birth-Giver of God Ukrainian Orthfodox parish in Arnold, PA; Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas, pastor of the Nativity of the Birth-Giver of God Ukrainian Orthodox parish in South Plainfield, NJ; Rev. Fr. Philip Harendza, pastor of Holy Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Scranton, PA; Very Rev. Fr. Yakiw Norton; Protodeacon Ihor Rusyn and Deacon Ivan Tchopko of Three Holy Hierarchs Seminary Chapel in South Bound Brook, NJ.

Liturgical responses were sung by the members of the cathedral’s choir under the leadership of Nicholas Perkins along with the student body of St. Sophia Seminary.

After the reading of the Holy Gospel, Vladyka Daniel began to preach to the faithful the importance of giving Grace to people and expecting nothing in return. Vladyka focused on how the Grace of the Holy Spirit that was bestowed to him, is also bestowed, through the laying on of his hands, to Priest James. He said, “It is the greatest responsibility for him. As a bishop, he can do no more than be that vessel for the Holy Spirit.”

After the Great Entrance, time came for the ordination. Deacon James was brought forth by his fellow brothers in Christ, Protodeacon Ihor Rusyn and Deacon Ivan Tchopko. Bowing down before Christ three times, Deacon James humbly presented himself before Archbishop Daniel for the laying of the hands. Through the laying of the hands and the prayers of ordination, the same grace of the Holy Spirit came upon him as it did on the day of Pentecost in the presence of the Apostles.  In unison, the congregation too found Deacon James worthy, repeating after the clergy: Axios!

As Fr. James prepared himself for this day, his wife Pani-matka Denise stood faithfully beside him supporting him.

The liturgy concluded with greetings from His Eminence Archbishop Daniel and the newly ordained Father James addressed the faithful and clergy present.

After the liturgy, the clergy and guests were able to greet the newly ordained Fr. James and his wife during a luncheon prepared and served on the grounds of St. Demetrius social hall.

Deacon James Cairns Ordained to the Holy Priesthood

Deacon James Cairns Ordained to the Holy Priesthood - 09/09/2017

Photos by Seminarian Yaroslav Bilohan

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Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
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South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

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