On December 28, a special and joyful event took place at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Chicago — the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and the conferral of minor orders upon Subdeacon Ivan Hado.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Excellency Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk, who also conferred the orders. The solemn service gathered clergy, faithful, and guests who accompanied this important moment in the life of the Church with prayer.
Ordination to ministry is not only a personal step of the candidate, but also a great joy for the entire Church community, which lives, grows, and responds to God’s call.
“I always experience immense joy when we ordain someone to serve in the Church of Christ. At such moments, one can especially feel that the Holy Spirit is at work and that the Church is alive, because even today the Lord continues to call people to give themselves in service to Him and to His people,” noted His Excellency Bishop Benedict.
This event became a living testimony that the Lord never ceases to call people to dedicated service, and that the Church continues to carry out her mission in the modern world. Through prayer, liturgical life, and openness to the action of the Holy Spirit, new ministers are formed, ready to offer their gifts for the good of God’s people.
We pray for Subdeacon Ivan Hado, that the Lord may strengthen him on the path of his vocation, grant him zeal, wisdom, and faithfulness in serving the Church of Christ and His people. May this important step become a firm foundation for his further spiritual growth and dedication.
Also on this day, after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Excellency Bishop Benedict, together with the clergy and parishioners, expressed sincere gratitude to Fr. Nicholas Kostyk for his devoted and sacrificial service at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Chicago. The Bishop wished Fr. Nicholas continued fruitful ministry in the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, for the glory of God and the good of the Church.
