St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The Paschal Homily of Saint John Chrysostom

Is there anyone here who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival.

Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any now weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!

If they have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he shall have sustained no loss.
And if any have delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him who toiled from the first.

To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the work as he greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.

Let no one go away hungry; partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness! Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death,
for the death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.

Isaiah foretold this when he said, You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar, because it was mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it was destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar because it is now made captive.

Hell took a body, and it discovered God.
It took earth and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!
Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen and life is liberated!

Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ, having risen from the dead
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!

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The Damaged Icon

Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

Every one of us is in the image of God
And every one of us is like a damaged icon
But, if we were given an icon damaged by time
Damaged by circumstances
Or desecrated by human hatred
We would treat it with reverence
With tenderness
With broken-heartedness.

We would not pay attention primarily
To the fact that it was damaged
But to the tragedy of its being damaged
We would concentrate on what is left of its beauty
And not on what is lost of its beauty

And this is what we must learn to do
With regard to each person
Unless we look at a person
And see the beauty there is in this person
We cannot contribute anything to him

One does not help a person
By discerning what is wrong
What is ugly
What is distorted
Christ looked at everyone He met
At the prostitute
At the thief
And saw the beauty hidden there
Perhaps it was distorted
But it was beauty nonetheless
And what He did
Was to call out this beauty

This is what we must learn to do with regard to others
But to do so
We must first have a purity of heart
A purity of intention
An openness, which is not always there
So that we can listen
Can look
And can see the beauty which is hidden

In 1939, before leaving for the front as a surgeon in the French Army, he secretly professed monastic vows in the Orthodox Church. In 1943 he was tonsured and received the name of Antony. During the occupation of France by Nazi Germany he worked as a doctor, and took part in the French Resistance. After the war he continued practising as a physician until 1948, when he was ordained to the presbyterate and sent to Britain. In 1957 he was consecrated as bishop, and as archbishop in 1962. In 1966 was assigned the rank of Metropolitan.

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New Parish Council Elected

Our parish family gathered for the election and installation of the new St. Michael Parish Council. We congratulate and welcome our newly elected officers and council members:

• President: Victoria Pechenizka
• Vice President: Anna Chepyshko
• Secretary: Olga Stetsko
• Treasurer: Lesia Schula-Bobrek
• Vice Treasurer: Dr. Ann Cholowski
• Starosta: Richard Melnyk

The Parish Council plays a vital part in the life of our parish. Council members work alongside Fr. Stephen to care for the practical and organizational needs of our church, from maintaining our beautiful building to planning parish events and managing our finances. This is a ministry of service and stewardship, and we are grateful to those who have answered the call.

We ask all parishioners to keep our new Parish Council in your prayers as they begin their service. If you have ideas, questions, or would like to volunteer your time and talents, please speak with any council member or with Fr. Stephen.

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Memory Eternal: Frank Theodore Cholowski

May 7, 1930 – March 25, 2026

Our parish family mourns the passing of Frank Theodore Cholowski, a devoted member of St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who fell asleep in the Lord on March 25, 2026, at the age of 95.

Born in Carteret, New Jersey, Frank served our country as a Private First Class in the United States Army during the Korean War, assigned to the “Triple Nickel Unit” in artillery. He received a medal and pendant of commendation for his service. During one of the heaviest attacks, Frank lost most of his friends in his unit. In that bunker, under fire, he made a vow to God: “Spare me, and I will serve You the rest of my life.” God heard his prayer. Frank made it home, and he kept that promise every single Sunday for the rest of his days.

After his service, Frank worked as a court officer in Middlesex County, New Jersey. He and his beloved wife Juliana “Julie” Lesky were married on May 25, 1957, at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Carteret, sharing 57 years of marriage. He served St. Demetrius as a choir member and church board member.

After moving to Florida, Frank was there from the very beginning of St. Michael parish. He and Juliana were among those who showed up early on Sunday mornings to clean the military union hall where the community first gathered for worship, sweeping up after the Saturday night parties before services could begin. When the parish moved to a small Roman Catholic chapel, and then around 1985 when Fr. Petlak arrived and our own church was established, Frank was there every step of the way. He served as president of the church for many years and was always involved in everything the parish was doing. Even well into his nineties, Frank could be found at the church, climbing a ladder to fix something, tidying the grounds, or tending to whatever needed doing. He never waited to be asked. If something needed work, Frank was already there, sleeves rolled up, as if the building itself were part of his family. As fellow parishioners remember: “He was a great supporter of the church and a great person.” Frank’s words still ring true for all who knew him: “Never be afraid of the truth.”

He is survived by his children, Mark (JD) Cholowski and wife Robin (MBA, MPA), and Dr. Ann Marie Cholowski (MD, JD). Dr. Ann carries her father’s tireless spirit; the day after his passing, she was up at four in the morning organizing our Lenten pilgrimage to the monastery. As Fr. Stephen said to her: “You have your father’s spirit. You just won’t give up, will you?”

Frank’s life was one of service: to his country, to his church, and to his family. May his memory be eternal.

Vichnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal!

Read the full obituary

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Lenten Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation

This past Saturday, Dr. Ann once again organized a Lenten pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation in Reddick, FL. A group of parishioners set out early in the morning for a prayerful day at the monastery, finding spiritual renewal, quiet reflection, and fellowship during the Great Fast.

Over the years, this pilgrimage has become a cherished tradition of our parish. All who made the journey are deeply grateful to Dr. Ann, who donates her time, her energy, and her own resources to make this trip possible for our parish family. She handles every detail, from coordinating the early morning departure to ensuring everyone is cared for along the way. Without her selfless dedication, this pilgrimage simply would not happen. May God bless her for this labor of love, and may such pilgrimages continue to strengthen our parish family.