Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for St. Mary's Roman Catholic Seminary

EUCLID, Ohio — Bishop Milan Lach celebrated a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on February 2, 2020 at Holy Resurrection Parish in Euclid, Ohio. The newly merged parish welcomed around 90 Roman Catholic Seminarians from the nearby Borromeo Seminary of the Diocese of Cleveland, who were present to receive a taste of Byzantine tradition and spirituality. During the Liturgy the Bishop baptized Mark Raymond Stachowiak, the first of two infants recently born in the parish. This parish community is flourishing with young families and has recently been blessed with two new babies, with another three to be born soon.

In his homily, Bishop Milan addressed the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Jerusalem Temple with the following words: "According to the tradition of Jewish law, forty days after birth every baby needed to be presented in the Jerusalem Temple and a sacrifice needed to be given - two pigeons - for every first-born male belonged to and was consecrated to God. Iconography of the feast depicts in a simple way this one meeting, yet the richness hides beyond. In the elderly Simeon, the old man is meeting the new Adam and the Old Testament meets the New Testament. This newly born God-man is bringing hope, new life, new vision, new challenges, and a new invitation to participate in the divine life. And we know when this culmination of new life was fulfilled - when God gave His life on the Cross. For no one has greater love for his neighbor than the one who gives his life. When Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross a soldier pierced His heart and from the side, according to the Gospels, poured out water and blood. St. John Chrysostom describes this sign as an image of the nativity of God’s spouse, the Church, because these mysteries - the mystery of baptism and the mystery of the Holy Eucharist - are creating the Church. We are here because of Jesus Christ Who is giving His life for His spouse. St. John Chrysostom continues: "As from the side of Adam was created Eve, so from the side of the new Adam is the Church established. This new Adam, Jesus Christ, is giving His life for His spouse."

At the end of Liturgy, Bishop Milan encouraged the seminarians present to learn more about Byzantine spirituality, as our Church is facing a shortage of priests and bi-ritual priests are already very helpful for establishing the life of our Byzantine Catholic missions. The Bishop encouraged young families to pray for their children and their vocations now, as it might be their sons who will enhance the life of our Church in the future.