It is a simple chalice that bears only a raised leaf (acanthus) pattern on the cup and the base, but it also has an inscription on its bottom that sheds light on it origin, as well as the reason why it continues to be used for the most important events in the liturgical life of the church. The inscription reads: "Presented to Rev. Myron Danilovich on the occasion of 10 years of service at St. John's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Newark, N.J." Well, anyone who is familiar with the early history of the Miami parish knows that this very Father Myron was the founder of the parish in 1950. The history of the parish published in 1983 tells us that he came to Miami in 1949. He was sent here to convalesce from some sort of lung ailment, but he used his time here to organize a new community. That community had its first organizational meeting in Father Myron's living room in January of 1950. But, of course, a short time later, he had died. According to the published history, he made the community, gathered around his deathbed, vow that they would build a church as quickly as possible. The members of the community buried him in Flagler Memorial Cemetery, but they made good on their vow, and built a church just seven years after his death.
We usually refer to Father Myron as "the founding pastor," but in actuality he was not a pastor at all. He had no obligation to be doing any work whatsoever during his time in Miami. He was only acting as a good father, teacher and a true priest.
Watch for future posts, as I mean to hike over to Flagler Memorial and find Father Myron (and Father Petro Oleksiw, who is there as well).
