On Sunday, October 20, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, the spiritual father of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, was warmly welcomed to Holy Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Pro-Cathedral in Hammond, Indiana. Joined by Very Reverend Father Vasyl Sendeha, the administrator of the parish, and Subdeacon Andrii Akulenko of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Bound Brook, NJ), Archbishop Daniel led the faithful in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The celebration of the Liturgy was enriched by the presence of many parishioners who gathered to receive the Holy Eucharist and to reflect upon the sacred mysteries of the faith.

In his sermon, Archbishop Daniel drew upon the Gospel narrative of the raising of the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11–17). This miracle, where Jesus encounters the funeral procession of a young man and restores him to life, served as a powerful image of the collision between life and death, a spiritual metaphor that Vladyka Daniel used to frame his reflection.

The Gospel story presents two contrasting processions. One, led by the grieving widow, is a procession of death - a stark symbol of human frailty and mortality. The other, led by Christ, is the procession of life - an embodiment of divine hope, healing, and resurrection. When these two processions meet at the city gate of Nain, there is a profound collision, one that reflects the broader spiritual tension between the world’s brokenness and God’s redemptive love.

Vladyka emphasized that the pieces from this spiritual collision “flew everywhere,” symbolizing how Christ's intervention shattered the seemingly unbreakable power of death. In resurrecting the widow’s son, Christ gave a foretaste of His life-giving mission - a mission that culminates in His own resurrection and the promise of eternal life for all humanity.

This miracle was not merely an act of compassion for the widow but a revelation of the deeper truth: in Christ, death is conquered, and life reigns victorious. This miracle also prefigures our own resurrection, reminding us that, as followers of Christ, we too are participants in His victory over death. Archbishop Daniel's words called those present to reflect deeply on this transformative power of Christ's resurrection in their own lives.

His Eminence Archbishop Daniel did not limit his reflection to the Gospel account but extended the metaphor of this collision to the moral and social challenges facing contemporary society. He spoke of the “collisions of values” that shape our world, particularly in areas such as the sanctity of life, the realities of capital punishment, and the "culture of death" that has permeated many aspects of society. He called upon the faithful to resist this culture and remain steadfast in their commitment to the Gospel of life, which upholds the dignity of every human person.

In larger cities and communities across the nation, where violence and death seem to dominate the headlines, Archbishop Daniel’s message was a reminder that, as Orthodox Christians, we are called to be part of the procession of life. We are to carry Christ’s light into the world’s darkest places, standing as witnesses to the truth that life is sacred, and that God’s love can heal even the deepest wounds of society.

As the Archbishop’s message unfolded, he issued a powerful call to holiness. He urged those in attendance to remain unwavering in their faith journey, no matter the challenges they might face. Drawing on the imagery of the two processions, he reminded the faithful that Christ’s presence in their lives was the source of strength, hope, and transformation. In a world where collisions of moral values often create confusion and division, Christians are called to follow Christ with steadfast hearts, bearing witness to the love and mercy of God.

The Divine Liturgy culminated with many receiving the Holy Eucharist, the life-giving Body and Blood of Christ. This profound moment served as a reminder of the ultimate unity we share in Christ, who overcomes all divisions and makes us one in His life.

After the Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel led a memorial service in honor of Nicholas Vlasich, a long-term parishioner whose one-year anniversary of repose was remembered that day. This service was not only a tribute to a beloved member of the parish but also a spiritual reminder of the hope of the resurrection, which shines forth even in moments of loss.

As the day continued with a parish luncheon, Archbishop Daniel engaged with parishioners, offering words of encouragement and reflecting on the future ministry of the Holy Archangel Michael Parish. His visit was a reminder of the spiritual leadership provided by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and the importance of ongoing prayerful ministry in the life of the parish.

In closing, archpastor’s visit to the Holy Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Pro-Cathedral was a time of deep spiritual reflection for the parish community. His thoughts on the Gospel of the widow of Nain and the challenges facing contemporary society were a powerful call to holiness. As Orthodox Christians, we are reminded that, just as Christ brought life where there was death, we too are called to carry His light into a world that often feels overwhelmed by darkness. Through prayer, faith, and the strength of the sacraments, we join in Christ’s life-giving mission, bearing witness to the hope of the resurrection and the sanctity of life.

May the ministry of Holy Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox community continue to thrive, as it faithfully serves as a beacon of life in the heart of Hammond, Indiana, under the loving care of Metropolitan Antony, Archbishop Daniel and the local clergy.