The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in South Bound Brook, NJ serves as a spiritual center, a living memorial to the numerous victims of atrocities committed against Ukrainians throughout the world. The clergy and faithful at the Metropolia Center frequently gather to pray for the victims of unjust wars, conflicts, and invasions, not only in Ukraine but also in the United States.

Twenty-three years ago, the steps of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church were illuminated with lit candles, placed there by local residents of South Bound Brook and Somerset, NJ, in honor of the innocent victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Today, a new generation of Ukrainian-Americans has come of age, learning about the tragic events of that day through textbooks and documentaries. Yet, the Church's spiritual leadership continues to organize annual memorial services at the church, ensuring that the lost victims of 9/11 are never forgotten.

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony (who was in attendance), the faithful of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church gathered on September 11, 2024, for Divine services in commemoration of the victims. The day also marks the feast of the Beheading of the Holy Prophet John the Baptist, adding a profound spiritual dimension to the memorial event. His Eminence Archbishop Daniel along with Protopresbyter Yuriy Siwko, Very Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas, Very Rev. Fr. Vasyl Shak, Rev. Fr. Ivan Tchopko, Rev. Fr. Roman Marchyshak, and Deacon Maksym Zhuravchyk, led the services. Together, they offered prayers not only for the victims of the 9/11 tragedy but also for all those who continue to live in a post-9/11 world.

In his sermon, Archbishop Daniel reflected on the Gospel narrative of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, focusing on the significance of promises and the consequences of choices. He emphasized the importance of making wise, deliberate promises, and he drew parallels between the loyalty of John the Baptist and the reckless actions of Herod and Herodias.

“It is important that we keep the promises we make, and even more important that we make those promises wisely. Each of our promises must be unhurried and responsible,” the Archbishop said. He contrasted the unwavering loyalty of John the Baptist with the manipulative and destructive behavior of Herodias, who used her daughter, Salome, for personal gain. Herod’s reckless vow to give Salome anything she desired ultimately led to John’s execution, a tragic example of how power and pride can lead people astray.

Archbishop Daniel urged parents to be vigilant in teaching their children to make good choices, highlighting that it is not enough to make decisions for them. Rather, children must learn to choose truth and goodness for themselves.

“The time to choose is today,” he said, drawing a poignant connection to the importance of moral responsibility in both biblical and modern contexts.

“It is important that we keep the promises we make, but even more important that we make those promises wisely. Each of our promises should be thoughtful and responsible.

In today’s Gospel reading, we encounter three active characters. John the Baptist embodies strict loyalty, remaining faithful to the end. He is fully committed to the truth he has learned and lives by it.

Then, we have Herod. Herod is a ruler who lives recklessly, indulging in his desires, and suppressing the voice of his conscience.

Finally, we see Herodias, a proud woman who seeks power at any cost. Ultimately, she gains control over Herod, as her wish to destroy St. John the Baptist is fulfilled. This happens through the involvement of her daughter, Salome, who had remained in the background until this moment. Salome dances, captivating everyone, especially Herod. So much so, that he begins to make grand promises: ‘Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you... even half of my kingdom’ (Mark 6:22-23).

When Salome asks her mother what she should request, Herodias, without hesitation, tells her to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. We see here how a mother uses her child for personal gain. Herodias exemplifies how far a person can go, either toward good or evil, depending on how they use their influence. Salome, a young girl whose dance captivates all, lacks initiative. She is unable to distinguish between good and evil, and instead of making her own decision, she consults her mother. It’s clear that her mother made the decision for her, essentially robbing her of her ability to choose.

Parents must be vigilant. They should teach their children to make the right choices, but not make those choices for them. Parents should instill in their children the ability to choose what is good, ensuring that young people develop the initiative to decide for themselves, not just based on what others tell them. It’s essential that children learn to choose truth and goodness on their own.

Salome, acting on her mother’s instruction, asks for ‘the head of John the Baptist’ (Mark 6:24). She danced for Herod and his guests, but let’s contrast that with another dance.

When Mary greets Elizabeth, we read, ‘When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit’ (Luke 1:41). The Ukrainian translation says ‘the baby shuddered,’ but in the original text, it means ‘John the Baptist began to dance.’ So, we have two dances: Salome’s dance, which leads to debauchery, and John the Baptist’s dance, which glorifies Jesus Christ. The question we must ask ourselves is: For whom is the dance of our life? We are always dancing, metaphorically, but to whom are we dedicating our dance? Our lives should provide the answer to this question.

From childhood and youth, we must learn responsibility and loyalty. John the Baptist lived his entire life in a rhythm of loyalty and obedience. We must ask the Lord to help us, so that each of us can move through life in the rhythm of loyalty and obedience to Jesus Christ. We always have a choice, but it’s important to make the right one. The time to choose is today—not tomorrow, not the day after—but today.

Herod had two choices before him: lose his dignity or let another person die. In many aspects of our lives, we face similar critical choices. Scripture tells us that Herod was distressed, signaling that his conscience was speaking to him. When our hearts are troubled, it’s often the first sign that we may be heading in the wrong direction, or that we’ve made a poor choice. Conscience tells us to stop. Unfortunately, Herod didn’t listen. As someone once said, ‘Love involves suffering, and the absence of love is death.’ Herod had no love, and he was already living in a state of spiritual death, having chosen death over life.”

Following the Divine services, Archbishop Daniel shared memories of the first Orthodox memorial services held at Ground Zero in 2001, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Antony on behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. He reflected on how that tragic day changed not only the United States but the entire world, urging the faithful to remember the power of prayer in overcoming violence and hatred.

“Today’s prayer service is a small way for our church family to never forget the tragic events of 9/11,” Archbishop Daniel said. “Through prayer, we can memorialize those who lost their lives, provide comfort to their families, and remind all that prayer can overcome violence and hate.”

The archbishop also shared the prayer that had been offered in 2001:

“Lord God, Lover of Mankind, bless our God-protected nation, the United States of America, and forgive those who hate and wrong us. Do good to those who do good, and grant all our people safety, health, salvation, and eternal life. Visit those who continue to suffer from the terrorist attack upon our nation, and heal them. Guide those in our armed forces, in our fire, police, and rescue services, and in our government. Upon those who have asked us, unworthy though we are, to pray for them, have mercy. Remember our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends who have fallen asleep in the Lord under the most horrific of circumstances, and grant them rest where the light of Your Face shines in a place where there is no more pain, sorrow, or suffering. May their memory be eternal before Your Throne.”

As the services concluded, the faithful were reminded that although the tragic events of 9/11 are behind us, the memories of those who lost their lives will never fade. The liturgy served as a reminder of the need for continued prayer and reflection, as well as a call for all to live lives dedicated to truth, goodness, and loyalty to Christ.

Memory Eternal!