From Promise to Presence: Holy Saturday’s Liturgy of Word and Eucharist

April 19, 2025

On April 19, Holy Saturday, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak presided over Vespers with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia. The service included numerous Old Testament readings—from Genesis, Exodus, and the Prophets—which reveal the historical and spiritual foundations of Christ’s suffering, death, and victory.

In a brief homily, the Metropolitan emphasized the richness of God’s Word and the profound transition to the Eucharist:
“We move from the offended word to the Bread and Wine with which the Lord nourishes us. The Word becomes Flesh.”

Addressing the faithful, he continued:
“You who have been baptized into Christ and have clothed yourselves in Christ receive His Body. I wish that you may hear God’s presence, see His victory, and that your hearts be filled with hope, peace, and joy.”