On Saturday, September 23, 2023, Myroslava Gongadze embarked on a cultural odyssey in Parma, Ohio. She began her day with a visit to the Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies, nestled within the inspiring embrace of St. Vladimir Cathedral. After this, Myroslava continued her journey to the Famine Monument and St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. Myroslava is the wife of journalist Georgiy Gongadze, who tragically lost his life in Ukraine on September 17, 2000, and she is also the devoted mother of two children. Just a few days earlier, on September 21, 2023, she was honored with the prestigious 2023 Inamori Ethics Prize from the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University, recognizing her as a journalist and a steadfast advocate for free press and human rights.

On Sunday, September 17, 2023, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, extended warm and heartfelt greetings to their beloved pastor, Fr. John Nakonachny, on the occasion of his birthday. The congregation came together to express their appreciation and share in the joy of this special occasion, reflecting the strong bond between the pastor and his parishioners. It was a day filled with love, gratitude, and a sense of community, highlighting the unity and devotion that define this cathedral's faith-filled family. Many blessed years, Fr. John!
У неділю, 17 вересня, 2023 р. Б. Свято-Володимирський Український Православний Катедральний Собор у Пармі, Огайо, тепло і сердечно привітав свого улюбленого настоятеля о. Івана Наконечного, з нагоди дня народження. Громада зібралася разом, щоб висловити свою вдячність і розділити радість цієї особливої ​​події, що відображає міцний зв’язок між настоятелем і його парафіянами. Це був день, сповнений любові, вдячності та почуття спільноти, підкреслюючи єдність і відданість, які визначають сповнену вірою родину цього собору. Многая літа о. Іван!

Congratulations to the newly baptized servant of God Solomia Hotsul! On Saturday, September 16, 2023, she received, at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. May God grant her many blessed years!

MARK JEFFREY SCHRAM  age 30, fell asleep with the Lord September 11, 2023. Beloved son of Tina Schram and Mark Schram. Loving brother of Michael Convery. Dear nephew of Olga Carey (Pat), Helen Masa (Roger). Cherished great-nephew of Helen Floresku and Tina Boryczewsky. Also survived by many cousins, nephews, and his pup Shadow.

On Saturday, September 9, 2023, the new school year at Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies in Parma, Ohio, commenced with a Moleben service in the church, followed by an engaging program in the grand hall. Moleben service was led by Fr. Michael Hontaruk, with responses led by Fr. John Nakonachny and school principal Mrs. Halyna Yarema, along with enthusiastic student participation, the service carried a sense of unity, faith and love. Fr. John Nakonachny addressed everyone with words of advice and greetings. After the Moleben, everyone took a commemorative photo in front of the cathedral. In the grand hall, Mrs. Lesia Shuflyada Bohovyk served as the Master of Ceremonies, introducing both first-grade and 11th-grade students, while the national anthems of the United States and Ukraine resonated. Greetings and well-wishes were extended to the students and teachers by Mrs. Halyna Yarema, Fr. Michael Hontaruk, and Mr. Yuriy Kosachevych, President of the Ukrainian Educational Council USA. The event was further enriched by the school's musical ensemble “Namysto”, poetry from the children, and a shared pizza feast. May God bless all on the beginning new school year.

Registration is open for Ukrainian cultural classes (dance, pottery, and bandura lessons) at the parish hall. Click here for more information.

Calendar of Events for 2023-2024

Message from Fr. Michael - September 2023

Congratulations to the newly-wed servants of God Vasyl Voievitka and Kateryna Burdeina! On Saturday, September 2, 2023, they received, at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Matrimony. May God grant them many blessed years!

Congratulations to the newly baptized servant of God Theodor Turanskyi! On Friday, September 1, 2023, he received, at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. May God grant him many blessed years!

On Sunday, August 27, at the St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, both at the English Divine Liturgy and at the Ukrainian, Fr. John and Fr. Michael, established a new tradition in the life of the parish. They orchestrated a heartfelt ceremony that touched the lives of many. With a profound sense of purpose, they extended their blessings to the children, teachers, parents, and school backpacks, symbolizing the journey of a new school year. Simultaneously, the clergy's prayers reached across continents as they blessed school backpacks for children in Ukraine, a compassionate act sponsored by the St. Andrew Society of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, Protodeacon Ihor Mahlay, President. This touching event showcased the power of unity, transcending borders and fostering a sense of community that spans both local and international realms.

On the occasion of 32nd anniversary of Independence Day of Ukraine, the clergy, faithful of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral and the teachers and students of Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies in Parma, Ohio, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, participated in Ukrainian Village Parade. GLORY TO UKRAINE!
З нагoди 32 річниці Дня Незалежнoстi Украïни, духoвенствo, вiрнi Украïнськoгo Правoславнoгo Кафедральнoгo Сoбoру св. Вoлoдимира, та вчителi, учнi Шкoли Украïнoзнавства iменi Тараса Шевченка, у суботу, 26 серпня 2023 р. Б. взяли участь у Парадi Украïнськo Села у Пармi, Огайo. СЛАВА УКРАÏНІ!
Photos by Michael Nakonachny

Ukrainian Orthodox Word
Українське Православне Слово
Vol. LXXIII Issue VIII
August-Серпень, 2023

As we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Ukrainian Independence, we find ourselves in perhaps the most critical moments of all Ukrainian history.  We witness yet another genocidal invasion of the nation by the armed forces of the Russian Federation whose main target are the innocent civilians – mostly senior citizens and their grandchildren – sleeping in their beds at night.  We hear the oft repeated by Russian dictators, allegation that there is no such nation “Ukraine” and no such people “Ukrainians”, followed by the promise of the present dictator at the beginning of his invasion, that “when we are finished, there will be not a single person left anywhere who will self-identify as a Ukrainian.  Finally, we hear the promise made by the prime hierarch of the government’s “church”, promising in a Holy Day sermon that any soldier who dies fighting in the invasion of Ukraine murdering self-identified Ukrainians will earn forgiveness of all their sins, equating them to the holy martyrs. Shortly thereafter, he began deposing his own clergy who pray for peace rather than for victory over Ukrainians as he ordered them to do.  

As the golden sun rose on Sunday, August 20, 2023, the St. Vladimir parish family came together at the Divine Liturgy to thank God for all His blessings and to greet Pani Matka Mary Anne Nakonachny with her birthday. The solemn church atmosphere was filled with a sense of unity and reverence, as the clergy, led by the esteemed Father John Nakonachny and Fr. Michael Hontaruk and the President of St. Olga’s Sisterhood, Mrs. Iryna Dudyak, gathered alongside the entire congregation to honor this remarkable woman on her birthday. Many blessed years to Pani Matka Mary Anne!

The St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, radiated with spiritual significance on Saturday, August 19, 2023, as the parish family came together to celebrate the feast day of the Holy Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The event was marked by a profound sense of devotion and reflection.

Mary Gladky-Nikitin, 90, passed away peacefully under hospice care on August 5, 2023 in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Congratulations to the newly baptized servant of God Jocelyn Nicole Senedak! On Sunday, August 13, 2023, she received, at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. May God grant her many blessed years!

As we enter the month of August, families around the world start preparing their children for the start of the upcoming school year.  New clothing is purchased along with bookbags, school supplies, and alarm clocks to ensure the youngsters get up, get dressed, have breakfast, and make it on the school bus on time.

Congratulations to the newly baptized servant of God David Michael Tutkevych! On Sunday, July 30, 2023, he received, at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. May God grant him many blessed years!

Sacred Pilgrimage to the Holy Land on December 1-10, 2023. The 10-day visit to the most significant sites of the New Testament is being coordinated by Archbishop Daniel and clergy of the UOC of the USA.

Ukrainian Orthodox Word / Українське Православне Слово

Vol. LXXIII Issue VII / July-Липень, 2023

The Parish Feast Day Celebration at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, OH on Sunday, July 23, 2023, was a momentous occasion, celebrating both the Feast Day and the remarkable 99th Anniversary of the Parish. Святкування парафіяльного свята в Свято-Володимирському Українському Православному Соборі в Пармі, Огайо, у неділю 23 липня 2023 р. було урочистою та значущою подією, присвяченою не лише святкуванню парафіяльного свята, але й 99-річчя заснування парафії.

The St. Vladimir Ukrainian Festival, held in Parma, Ohio on Saturday, July 15, 2023, became an unforgettable occasion, leaving attendees with joyful memories. The festival offered captivating tours to the Cathedral, an array of delicious food and desserts, exciting raffles, a program that showcased the richness of Ukrainian culture, BBQ outside and activities for children. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of hardworking individuals contributed to the festival's seamless execution. The St. Vladimir Parish family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved - organizers, sponsors, supporters, and all attendees - for their collaborative efforts that made the festival an exceptional experience.

Congratulations to the newly baptized servant of God Eliana Lee Farro! On Sunday, July 9, 2023, she received, at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. May God grant her many blessed years!

On Monday, June 26, 2023, parishioners of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Parma, Ohio, participated at the St. Herman House – FOCUS Cleveland 10th Annual Golf Classic at the historic Tanglewood Club. This is a fundraiser for the benefit of the good works being done at St. Herman House.

Visit Cleveland Maidan Association's website to find a list of resettlement resources for Ukrainian refugees.