Fr. Volodymyr Chaikivskyi and St. Vladimir’s Church, Trenton

One of last year’s joys for the parish was the official affirmation of Fr. Volodymyr Chaikivskyi as the community’s pastor. This took place during the annual celebration of the feast of St. Vladimir on July 15, which was celebrated by Archbishop Michael and local clergy.

Both Father Volodymyr and his wife, Matushka Oksana, are originally from Ukraine. Father was from a small town of 76,000 people in Ukraine called Drohobych, in the Lviv region of the country. Before arriving in the United States, Father had previously completed seminary studies in Ukraine, yet was unsure where he would find his place to serve the Lord. After his graduation in Ukraine, he was convinced by his uncle, Fr. Maryan, to move to the United States and find an opportunity here. So in August of 2009, at the age of 20 and barely able to speak English, the young man Volodymyr Chaikivskyi moved from the Ukraine to the United States with the goal to attend St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary and then serve the Lord in the United States, as a full time pastor. With much dedication and hard work Father was able to graduate seminary in 2013, all the while learning and improving his English as he progressed.

From the very beginning Father and Matushka have demonstrated a loving and happy warmth toward the parish and all those around them. No task is ever too large or too small for them to take on or just help in any way they can for anyone who asks. Father is the first person to lend a helping hand in any sort of task or lead parish efforts to get things done. He spends his time serving in the altar, improving the parish grounds and cemetery, and facilitating various projects getting accomplished throughout the parish. He is not one to wait to be asked, but looks for opportunities to serve wherever he is available. Already many projects have been completed in their short time at the parish. Projects like repairing the roof to our church building, completing maintenance at our picnic grounds and cemetery, as well as many others. With Father’s untiring efforts and by the grace of God, St. Vladimir has witnessed the arrival of many newcomers to the parish over the past year and a half.

Since Father Volodymyr’s arrival, the parish has grown and continues to welcome new parishioners and catechumens. The parish congratulates Father on his installation as rector and on receipt of his award, and looks forward to many fruitful years under his pastoral care, with Matushka Oksana at his side.