On the grace-filled Sunday of All Saints, which this year providentially coincided with the civil observance of Father’s Day, the faithful of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Goshen, Indiana, gathered with hearts full of prayer and reverence to commemorate their parish feast day - a celebration grounded in the eternal mystery of the Triune God.

Under the devoted pastoral leadership of Rev. Fr. Andrii Vatrych, the parish welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, spiritual father of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The celebration unfolded as a day not only of festivity, but of deep reflection, liturgical beauty, and transformative grace.

The Feast of the Holy Trinity is not merely a remembrance - it is a living proclamation of the mystery that lies at the heart of our faith: that God is One in Essence and Three in Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To celebrate this feast as a parish community is to acknowledge that our spiritual life is called to reflect this divine communion: unity without division, distinction without separation, and love without end.

In the sacred space of the parish temple adorned for the occasion with prayerful preparation the faithful joined in the Divine Liturgy. The liturgical responses of the choir, the incense rising heavenward, the solemn processions and sacred hymns and chants - all became an offering of praise to the Triune God, drawing hearts into a deeper awareness of His presence.

This year’s celebration was marked by a moment of profound spiritual significance. On the same day that fathers across the nation were being honored, Fr. Andrii and his wife dobrodiyka Anna experienced a blessing of immeasurable joy: their newly born son, Mark Vatrych, was received into the life of the Church through the Holy Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation, administered by Archbishop Daniel.

What could be more sacred for a father - especially a priest - than to witness the rebirth of his child in Christ on Father’s Day? And more still, to be the one who, for the very first time, offers his son the Most Holy Eucharist - the Body and Blood of our Lord. Such a moment transcends sentiment; it becomes a living icon of the priestly calling and the gift of Orthodox fatherhood.

Orthodox fatherhood, as lived by Fr. Andrii, is more than responsibility—it is a vocation of love, sacrifice, and discipleship. It means leading one’s family to Christ, not only through teaching, but through example, humility, and faith.

His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, who traveled from the spiritual headquarters of the UOC of the USA in South Bound Brook, New Jersey, was accompanied by Protodeacon Pavlo Vysotskyi, Subdeacon Mykola Stefanyk, and their families. They were joined by Rev. Fr. Myroslav Mykytyuk, pastor of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Los Angeles, California, and Protodeacon James Stickel, all of whom offered their prayers and liturgical service to the glory of God and the edification of the community.

True to his pastoral calling, Archbishop Daniel paused during the Holy Mysteries to explain to the faithful the profound spiritual meaning of each sacred act. These reflections were not academic lectures, but pastoral catechesis - gentle and fatherly invitations to rediscover the depth of what we so often witness with our eyes but fail to fully grasp with our hearts.

In his homily, His Eminence centered his message on the Gospel call: “Come, follow Me.” He reminded all present that sainthood is not a distant ideal, but a daily invitation. Every baptized soul is called to holiness - not through extraordinary feats, but through steadfast faith, purity of heart, and loving obedience to the will of God.

The Archbishop drew attention to the spiritual and moral confusion of our times, where many wander without guidance, and where the dignity of life is so often threatened. He called upon the faithful to become modern-day saints - people whose lives preach Christ not by eloquence, but by love, mercy, and the quiet strength of virtue.

“We live in a world,” he noted, “where people are dying - physically, morally, and spiritually. The Church must become a place where healing begins. Holiness is not an option. It is the only path that leads to life.”

Following the Divine Liturgy, the parish community gathered for a festive luncheon, prepared with care and love by the faithful. It was not merely a meal, but a continuation of the sacred communion experienced at the altar - a Eucharistic fellowship marked by warmth, joy, and gratitude.

Guests and parishioners shared in this spiritual joy, honoring Fr. Andrii on his first Father’s Day as the father of a newly illumined child of God. The joy was not sentimental - it was spiritual, grounded in the awareness that Christ had walked among His people that day, through His sacraments, His word, and His faithful servants.

The celebration at Holy Trinity Parish in Goshen was far more than a local event - it was a glimpse into the life of the Kingdom of God made present here and now. A parish gathered around its altar. A priest offering his child to Christ. A bishop proclaiming truth in love. A people awakened once more to the sacred beauty of life in the Church.

In honoring the feast of the Holy Trinity, the faithful of Goshen affirmed not only theological truths, but spiritual realities - that God is with us, that His grace is active, and that every soul is invited to follow Christ and be made holy.

May the blessings of the Triune God be upon the faithful of Goshen for many years, and may the newly baptized Mark grow in grace, wisdom, and holiness - as a beloved son of his parents, and a child of the Most High.