Metropolitan-Archbishop
Stefan Soroka Opens the Holy Doors of the Cathedral during Year of Mercy in
Philadelphia
Philadelphia , PA-
On Sunday, February 28, 2016, a special 10am Divine Liturgy was celebrated at
the Golden Domed Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception,
Philadelphia, PA during the Jubilee Year of Mercy inaugurated by His Holiness
Pope Francis. Metropolitan-Archbishop
Stefan Soroka was the main celebrant and homilist during the Divine
Liturgy. Other celebrants included: Very
Rev. Joseph Szupa, Rev. Walter Pasicznyk, Rev. Roman Sverdan, Rev. D. George
Worshak, Rev. John Fields, Deacon Michael Waak, and Subdeacon Roman Oprysk.
Immediately before the Little Entrance during the Divine Liturgy, Very Rev. Joseph Szupa, Cathedral Rector, explained to the faithful that it was a special Sunday in the Archeparchy of Philadelphia because it was the official opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Father Szupa said the central doors will be consistently opened throughout the year as it is requested by Pope Francis until the middle of December this year. Father Szupa said those central doors, those Holy Doors, will be opened to be a “symbol of God’s ever present mercy and forgiveness.”
Father Szupa led the faithful in reading points 13 and 14 in
“The Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy” written by Pope
Francis. The recitation ended with the
quote, “By crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find the strength
to embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as
the Father has been with us.”
The Opening of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy began
with a procession with the Holy Gospel Book from the sanctuary to the vestibule during
the Little Entrance as the choir chanted the third antiphon.
Metropolitan Stefan recited a prayer at the Holy Door surrounded
by the faithful in the vestibule of the Cathedral. Metropolitan Stefan opened the Holy Doors
chanting Psalm 118:19,20. Metropolitan
Stefan exclaimed, “O Almighty Lord and God: open the gates of Your justice so
that we may enter and give You thanks; as this is the Lord’s Gate! Let us enter through it and obtain mercy and
forgiveness!”
Metropolitan Stefan passed through the Holy Doors along with
the Clergy and blessed Holy Water that was prepared on a table in the back of
the Cathedral. The faithful then passed
through the Holy Doors as Metropolitan Stefan sprinkled Holy Water on the
Church and the Faithful. Father Szupa
explained earlier that the sprinkling of Holy Water is a sign of God’s Blessing
and Mercy.
Gathered at the tetrapod, Metropolitan Stefan led the
faithful in praying the Prayer of Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy in both
Ukrainian and English languages. At this
time, the Liturgy continued as usual.
Since this was the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross, the third
Sunday of Lent, Metropolitan Stefan venerated a cross decorated with carnations.
During his homily, Metropolitan Stefan said, “Today and every
time you and I enter the doors of the Cathedral, we enter as people who need
mercy and strength.” Metropolitan Stefan
said, “Celebrate the year of mercy throughout the year with Pope Francis and
the whole church. Choose to live with
greater humility with others. Choose to
be extra kind and forgiving of others.”
Metropolitan Stefan ended his homily saying, “Let’s leave the Cathedral
today and always as people of hope, people who give joyful witness to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy after venerating the
cross on the tetrapod, Very Rev. Joseph Szupa congratulated
Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka on his 15 Anniversary as being installed
as our Metropolitan for the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and the faithful sang
Mnohaya Lita to Metropolitan Stefan.
Video 1 – Introduction
Video 2 – Blessing of Holy Doors
Video 3 – Homily offered by Metropolitan Stefan
1 comment:
Interesting blog !!
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