In a sacred moment that will echo for generations within the life of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America, the Holy Altar of St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, Pennsylvania became the place of a spiritual rebirth. With profound humility and joyful reverence, Deacon Alexis Clodfelter, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, the Prime Hierarch of the Church, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, spiritual father of the Western Eparchy and President of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA.

It was a day of joy and solemnity - a sacred mixture of grace and calling - as clergy, seminarians, family, and faithful from across the Lehigh Valley, PA and beyond gathered to witness a new chapter in the story of the Church. Fr. Richard Jendras, pastor of the Allentown cathedral, lovingly opened the doors of the parish for the celebration, embracing all in attendance with fatherly warmth.

Accompanying Archbishop Daniel were students of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary, the Dean of Students, the Very Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas, and the Assistant to the Dean, Fr. Ivan Tchopko. Also present were clergy from throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey (Very Rev. Fr. Robert Holet, Rev. Fr. Oleg Kravchenko, Rev. Fr. David Chidzhokie, Rev. Fr. Maksym Zhuravchyk) all uniting in prayer and fellowship. Together they stood as witnesses to a holy mystery, the ordination of a man who had long whispered “yes” to Christ.

The Divine Liturgy unfolded with spiritual splendor. Protodeacon Pavlo Vysotskyi of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church of the spiritual Center of the Church in South Bound Brook, NJ, proclaimed the Gospel with soul-stirring clarity. Then came the moment—the exclamation heard throughout the cathedral: “Command! Command! Command!” As Deacon Alexis approached the Royal Doors, the Church opened not only the sanctuary to him, but also the road of Christ’s priestly ministry.

He was led around the altar three times, symbolizing his full offering to the service of the Lord. Through the laying on of hands and the descent of the Holy Spirit, a new priest was born. The cry of Axios! - He is worthy! - thundered throughout the church as Fr. Alexis was vested, received his cross, and stood before the altar as a servant of God.

And then, with the gentleness of a shepherd and the authority of an apostle, Archbishop Daniel turned to the newly-ordained priest and offered him - and all of us - a profound spiritual reminder: “The Lord called His Apostles with the words: ‘Come, follow Me.’ Not as a command filled with fear, but as a gentle and irresistible invitation to leave the familiar behind and walk with Christ into the unknown.”

The Archbishop reminded us that the priesthood does not begin at ordination, but begins with a whisper in the heart - a whisper Fr. Alexis had heard long ago, to which he responded with humility: “Yes, Lord, I will follow You.”

In his homily, Vladyka Daniel painted a picture of the priesthood not as a crown of glory, but as a cross - a sacred path of sacrifice, healing, and unshakable hope. “Be a wounded healer,” he exhorted Fr. Alexis, echoing the words of St. Paul: ‘We carry in our bodies the death of Christ, so that the life of Christ may be revealed in us.’ The priest’s calling is to bear the wounds of Christ and to offer hope to a hurting world.

It was no coincidence that this ordination took place on a Soul Saturday, when the Church prays for the departed, and on the eve of the Third Sunday of Great Lent - the Sunday of the Holy Cross. It was as if the Lord Himself aligned the liturgical calendar to speak clearly: The path of the priesthood leads from the Cross to the Resurrection.

Following the ordination, Fr. Alexis approached his beloved wife Delaney and their children, offering them his first priestly blessing with tears of joy and gratitude. They, too, had said “yes” to the call - to walk beside him in faith, sacrifice, and love. Archbishop Daniel later offered a heartfelt prayer over Delaney, asking the Holy Spirit to grant her strength and grace as a pillar beside her husband.

Also in attendance for this sacred celebration were representatives of the Ukrainian American Veterans, who came not only to witness the ordination of a fellow servant, but to honor one of their own. As Fr. Alexis prepares to begin his chaplaincy service in the United States Army, the commander of the local chapter of the Ukrainian American Veterans stepped forward to present him with a deeply meaningful gift: a set of military green vestments, identical in color and design to those worn by Orthodox chaplains serving amidst the suffering and struggle in Ukraine. The vestments symbolize not only priestly service, but solidarity with those who risk their lives for the well-being of others.

Fr. Alexis received this gift with gratitude and reverence, recognizing the sacred trust placed upon him to care for the spiritual needs of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Both he and Archbishop Daniel extended heartfelt thanks to the veterans and to all who were present, acknowledging their unwavering support and their shared commitment to those who wear the uniform of service.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel presented St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral with a profound gift: a copy of the Icon of the Protection of the Mother of God over the Men and Women of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, prayerfully written by iconographer Yurii Nikitin in Ukraine. This sacred image, which has become the official icon of the Chaplain Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, now rests within the cathedral as a reminder of the powerful intercession of the Theotokos and a symbol of the unity between the faithful in the United States and their suffering brethren in Ukraine. It was a beautiful and fitting offering, especially as Fr. Alexis begins his sacred ministry among those who serve in the United States military.

The celebration continued in the parish fellowship hall with a joyful and heartfelt luncheon prepared by the parish faithful. Surrounded by clergy, family, and friends, Fr. Alexis offered words of gratitude - thanking Archbishop Daniel for his fatherly guidance, Fr. Richard for his mentorship and pastoral care, his beloved wife Delaney for her constant support, and all in attendance for their love, encouragement, and prayers.

As Fr. Alexis now steps forward into military chaplaincy, we lift our prayers for him and his family. May the same Christ, who walked beside His Apostles, be with Fr. Alexis in barracks and battlefields, in hospital rooms and moments of despair, offering peace, healing, and hope to all he encounters.

In this sacred moment, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA rejoices. A new shepherd has been ordained. A new light has been kindled. A new heart has answered the eternal call: “Come, follow Me.”

Axios! Axios! Axios!