The St Vladimir’s Seminary community was blessed with a hierarchical visit from His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest (OCA), for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. His Eminence arrived on Wednesday, September 13, and presided over the Festal Vigil that evening and the Divine Liturgy on the following day.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence gave the homily and ordained third-year seminarian Peter (Jared) Ries (M.Div. ‘24) to the Holy Diaconate. In his homily, Archbishop Daniel emphasized the centrality of the Cross in the Christian life; each Christian must recognize that we belong to Christ; “we belong to Him, and His Cross is engraved on our hearts.” He pointed out the ubiquity of its significance in the sacraments of the Church, including the moment during Ordination to the Holy Diaconate when the person being ordained kisses the cross on the orarion as a sign of his commitment to Christ, our crucified Lord.
Deacon Peter expressed his gratitude and joy at the occasion of his ordination to the Holy Diaconate, saying, “It is a humbling obedience, and it was such a blessing to take on this responsibility while standing alongside my colleagues, mentors, and friends.”
May God grant the newly ordained Dn Peter and Matushka Sophie many blessed years!
