Protopresbyter Daniel and Matushka Evdokia Hubiak

Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak (1926-2021)

and

Matushka Evdokia (Dunia) Hubiak (born Martynuk) (1930-__)

Afanasy may be spelt Athanasius, Athanasios, Afanasiy, Atanasy.

Evdokia is sometimes spelt Evelyn in English. Dunia is one of the Russian affectionate forms.

Basil may be spelt William, Vasily, Vasiliy.

Early life of Daniel Hubiak

On 29 December, 1926, Daniel Hubiak was born in Akron, Ohio, USA, to Archpriest Afanasy G and Matushka Susan P (Wanchisen) Hubiak. Father Afanasy Hubiak was the second pastor of the Temple of Saint Nicholas in Akron (Mogadore), Ohio.

Daniel was the third child born to them. The other children were Olga (1923), Sophia (1925), Basil (1933) and Nicholas (1936).

All the children were raised as devoted Orthodox Christians in the bosom of the Orthodox Christian Church, within the “Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America” (ROGGNA), which was called “The Metropolia” in brief.

The Hubiak family before 1936

Daniel received his primary and secondary education in Akron.

After high school, Daniel began working as an apprentice and journeyman in mechanics. Because of his father’s ill-health, his military conscription was slightly deferred.

Bereavement, 1945

On 29 April, 1945, Daniel’s father, Archpriest Afanasy G Hubiak fell asleep in the Lord in Akron, Ohio. He suffered from a severe heart condition.

After the funeral services were completed at Saint Nicholas Church in Akron, his body was interred in the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cemetery (the former Slovak Evangelical Cemetery that had been purchased by the parish under his guidance) at Krumroy, Summit County, Ohio.

Grave-marker

Military service

After this, Daniel fulfilled his military obligation in the compulsory draft in the US Army.

His mother, Matushka Susan Hubiak, remained in Akron, where she worked, and where she was an active member of Saint Nicholas Church for the rest of her life.

Private Daniel Hubiak

Higher education

Daniel Hubiak continued his studies in Columbia University in New York City, New York, and at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary there, and he graduated from them both in 1952. While he was at the seminary, he was able to construct an iconostas for the very simple chapel that existed at that time, and this enabled services to be offered more normally.

Marriage

On 16 September, 1951, Daniel Hubiak was married to Evdokia (Dunia) Martynuk at Holy Protection Cathedral in New York City.

Marriage reception

In time, the couple received 2 daughters from the Lord, Larise and Annice.

Evdokia (usually called Dunia, her Slavic nickname) had been born in Brooklyn, New York, in about 1930, and the family moved to New York City itself. Her father had emigrated from Ukraine to the USA, and her mother from the Slovakian part of Czechoslovakia.

Her father, a barber, had moved to Manhattan because of more available work at that time. Dunia had a brother 3 years younger than she. They were both raised in the heart of the Orthodox Church, and they were parishioners at the Holy Protection Cathedral. There, she learned how to sing in the choir. It was there that she met her future husband while he was a student.

When she had graduated from high school, the daughter of Father Theophan Buketov encouraged her to become a dental hygienist. Such a profession was only just then becoming possible for women to enter. She studied at Columbia University. From that time, she was steadily working in this field throughout most of her days as a matushka.

On 5 June, 1952, Daniel Hubiak was one of 12 Saint Vladimir seminarians who graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

June, 1952, graduates

Diaconal ordination, 1952

On 21 September, 1952, Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) ordained Daniel Hubiak to the Holy Diaconate at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City.

Presbyteral ordination, 1952

On 27 September, 1952, Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) ordained Deacon Daniel Hubiak to the Holy Priesthood at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City.

Priest Daniel Hubiak

Pastoral service

Priest Daniel Hubiak was assigned to serve as assistant pastor at Holy Trinity Church in Detroit, Michigan, until June of the following year.

In June, 1953, Priest Daniel Hubiak was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the pastor of Holy Assumption Church in Marblehead, Ohio.

During these years, Father Daniel and Father Sergei Glagolev supported one another spiritually in their particular pastoral responsibilities, most particularly in developing stronger parish families.

Priest Daniel Hubiak ; Father Daniel and Matushka Evdokia Hubiak

On 17 July, 1956, Priest Daniel was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as assistant pastor at Holy Transfiguration Church in Brooklyn, New York.

On 1 June, 1958, Priest Daniel was again transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the pastor of Holy Trinity Church in East Meadow on Long Island, New York. There, he led the community in the construction of its new Temple.

Treasurer of the ROGCCNA, 1963

In 1963, the 11th All-American Sobor of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America (ROGCCNA) established the administrative positions of Chancellor, Secretary and Treasurer for the Metropolia. Father Daniel was then invited to become the Treasurer for the Church. In fulfilling this responsibility, he continued in his pastoral service as rector of the East Meadow parish. However, his work as treasurer required his frequent presence at the chancery offices, which were at that time located at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Manhattan. Father Daniel exerted much effort in order to stabilise the finances of the Church, to provide clear fiscal accountability to the Church.

Hubiak family

By this time, the future chancery property had been acquired at Oyster Bay Cove (near Syosset) on Long Island. This property, the former Westwood also provided the official residence of the metropolitan, and the site for the archives of the Church.

In 1965, Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) reposed in Christ, and he was succeeded by Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish).

Tomos of Autocephaly, 1970

In May, 1970, Father Daniel was included in the seven-member delegation that was assigned to travel to Moscow, USSR, in order to receive the “Tomos of Autocephaly”, which transformed the “Metropolia” into “The Orthodox Church in America”.

In August, 1970, Father Daniel was given the blessing to participate in the services in Kodiak, Alaska, for the of Saint Herman of Alaska glorification of Saint Herman of Alaska, North America’s first Orthodox Christian saint.

In October, 1970, Father Daniel was a delegate to the historic First All-American Council of the new autocephalous Church.

There was no successor to the responsibility of Treasurer of The Orthodox Church in America until 1979.

Secretary of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA), 1970

After the First Council, Father Daniel was asked to take on additional responsibilities within the Church administration by serving as Secretary of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA). When he accepted this assignment, Father Daniel also asked for and received the blessing to devote his time fully to these responsibilities.

Therefore, as of 1 December, 1970, Father Daniel was released from his responsibilities as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in East Meadow (after 12 years of service there), and he was assigned to the Chapel of Saint Sergius at the Metropolitan’s residence.

The responsibilities of both Secretary and Treasurer of the OCA came to involve a substantial amount of travel in association with these responsibilities. These absences from the offices included not only related meetings, but also visits with and/or on behalf of Metropolitan Ireney.

When he was present in the office, Father Daniel provided regular liturgical services in the Saint Sergius Chapel, pastoral care to the increasing number of chancery staff personnel (most of whom were still in the main office in New York City), and to the parishioners who had begun to participate in the regular liturgical services offered in the chapel.

There was no successor to the responsibility of Secretary of The Orthodox Church in America until 1986.

Chancellor of The Orthodox Church in America, 1973

In November, 1973, Father Daniel Hubiak was assigned to serve as the Chancellor of The Orthodox Church in America. The first chancellor of the OCA (and last chancellor of the “Metropolia”), Protopresbyter Joseph Pishtey, had reposed in the Lord on 2 November, 1972.

From this time, the work-load of Father Daniel increased substantially. Not only was he the only person who (until now) served in the capacity of the 3 major officers of the OCA, but for several years, he also fulfilled all 3 responsibilities at some time or even at the same time (since the other 2 positions remained unfilled for a time).

In 1974, Father Daniel supervised the transfer of the Chancery offices from Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City to the property at Oyster Bay Cove near Syosset, New York.

In his responsibility as Chancellor of the OCA, Father Daniel was the chief assistant to Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish), and after his retirement in 1977, for Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor). This help was provided especially in facilitating the smooth functioning of the Holy Synod, of the All-American Councils, and of the Metropolitan Council. His assistance consisted also in developing and organising the growing number of various Church departments and commissions and the chancery offices.

As in other situations, along with Metropolitan Theodosius, he was involved in the life of the Archdiocese of Canada when Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) retired from active service in 1981. He assisted in the recruiting of clergy for the diocese, and in the renewal of its administration.

Bereavement, 1984

On 18 July, 1984, Matushka Susan P (born Wanchisen) Hubiak fell asleep in the Lord in Akron, Ohio.

The Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person were led by Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) and Bishop Boris (Geeza) of Chicago, in Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Akron.

After the conclusion of the funeral services, the body of Matushka Susan Hubiak was interred beside that of her husband in the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cemetery (the former Slovak Evangelical Cemetery) at Krumroy, Summit County, Ohio.

Grave-marker

Return to pastoral service, 1988

In 1988, Father Daniel came to the end of his service as Chancellor of the OCA.

Saints Peter and Paul Church, Jersey City

Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia returned to parish service, and he was assigned to succeed his friend, Archpriest John Skvir (who had reposed unexpectedly) as pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Jersey City, New Jersey.

At this time, “perestroika” and “glasnost” were rapidly changing the life of the Church in the Soviet Union and it became possible for The Orthodox Church in America to realise its long-held vision to establish a representation church (ecclesiastical legation) in Moscow, alongside the representations of several other autocephalous churches.

The idea of establishing a representation church of the North American Diocese in Russia was first conceived in the early 20th century.

With his vast experience in church administration, understanding of the Russian Church through his contacts with its leaders and travels there, along with his pastoral and language skills, Father Daniel possessed the requisite qualities to become the representative, a kind of ecclesiastical ambassador, for the OCA in Moscow. Moreover, as he later recalled, at his first visit to Moscow in 1970, it had occurred to him that the newly-autocephalous Church ought to have a representation in Moscow, and he had expressed this opinion. However, everyone understood that this was something which would have to come later, in its own time.

First Representative of the OCA to the Church of Russia in Moscow, 1993

Effective 1 January, 1992, Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia were assigned to serve in Moscow. Initially, Father Daniel conducted services at a chapel within the Danilov Monastery. There, he gathered a flock of Americans and other English-speaking Orthodox Christians who were stationed in Moscow, along with local Moscovites who also joined the community. All the while, Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia lived in a room in the Danilov Hotel (a new structure just outside the walls of the monastery, and in its earliest stages of development). It was about 2 years before an apartment was found in which they could live a reasonably normal life. Even at that, when the apartment was received, it was but bare concrete, and everything had to be provided in order to make the apartment habitable and ultimately finished.

As this community grew, it became apparent that the American representation could indeed become a permanent fixture in Moscow.

Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow and All Rus offered the OCA a choice of several Temples in central Moscow which might house its Representation (Church legation). The Temple of Saint Catherine in the Fields on Bolshaya Ordynka Street was chosen. The fact that the Embassy of Israel in Moscow was very near to this Temple added to the overall security of this Temple within the city. This Temple is also not far from the Tretyakov Gallery.

Patriarch Aleksey was reluctant to bless this particular choice, which was the preference of Father Daniel. The Temple and its associated structures were in poor condition, and many of the spaces were occupied by an art-restoration enterprise which could not easily be moved legally. The Temple itself had been used in part as an apartment building, but those modifications had been removed.

Nevertheless, Father Daniel saw that the available parts of the buildings were in sufficiently satisfactory condition for immediate use. Eventually, Patriarch Aleksey accepted the proposal, and he blessed it.

On 7 December, 1994, the Feast of Saint Catherine the Great-Martyr, Patriarch Aleksey (Ridiger) and the Primate of the OCA, Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor), concelebrated a festal Moleben (prayer-service) at the Temple in order officially to inaugurate its functioning as the OCA Representation Church. Thereafter, Father Daniel worked tirelessly to restore the Temple structure and other buildings that had been used for secular purposes during Soviet times.

Father Daniel nurtured the parish community, and he made the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) a visible presence in Moscow in both ecclesiastical and secular circles. Through the labours of Father Daniel, the Altar of Saint Catherine’s Church was readied for its solemn sanctification by Patriarch Aleksey and Metropolitan Theodosius on 11 June, 1999. On that day, many hierarchs and clergy concelebrated and numerous pilgrims from the USA attended the festive occasion. Even then, the whole of the Temple was not available for worship, and the space was rather cramped on such an occasion. It fell to those who came after him to complete the re-acquisition of all the spaces on the property for exclusively parish use. Eventually, it became possible to use the Temple in a manner similar to that of its pre-revolutionary situation.

In addition to his duties at Saint Catherine’s, Father Hubiak, together with his wife Evdokia, organised and conducted a variety of ministries. They were especially involved in assisting in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Moscow and throughout Russia. They were involved in the beginning of the IOCC in Moscow and Russia, and they continued this activity as long as they were there. They also were supportive of the programmes of adoption of children (including in their own family) from Russia into the USA.

Patriarch Aleksey II with Metropolitan Theodosius, Archbishop Herman, and Hubiak family

In February, 1997, Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow awarded Father Daniel with the Order of Saint Daniel, 2nd degree.

Order of Saint Daniel

In March, 1997, Archpriest Daniel Hubiak was elevated by the Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America to the dignity of protopresbyter.

At the Antiochian Representation with Metropolitan Niphon

Metropolitan Theodosius, Archbishop Herman, Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak, of the OCA

Return to the USA, retirement, 2001

After nearly a decade of very demanding pastoral service in Moscow, Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia were recalled to the USA in 2001. Father Daniel was prepared to live in retirement as he and Matushka Dunia settled permanently in their home in coastal Maryland, USA.

50 years of marriage

In 2001, at the chancery offices at Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, New York, Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia Hubiak celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage. Many people gathered to fête them on this occasion, including Archbishop Herman (Swaiko).

50th anniversary celebration, 2001

On 1/14 January, 2002, Archimandrite Hilarion (Alfeyev) (who had been a part of the clergy of Saint Catherine's Representation Church) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow. There were 10 other bishops who participated in the ordination.

Protopresbyters Daniel Hubiak, Robert Kondratick, and Archimandrite Nicholas (Yuhos) served at this Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Saint Basil the Great.

Photo of the episcopal ordination of Bishop Hilarion (Alfeyev)

Vladyka Hilarion presents a pictorial memento to Father Daniel

Christ the Saviour parish, Berlin, Maryland

The retirement of Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia proved to be an active sort of retirement. Father Daniel soon became the first pastor of a new mission community in the area. This community, in Berlin, Maryland, had been blessed in 2000 by Metropolitan Theodosius to be a recognised mission. It subsequently grew to become Christ the Saviour Church.

Together, they nurtured this community for the following 5 years, when Father John Parsells was assigned to serve the parish as rector in 2006. Although Father Daniel, at the age of 80, was able to step back from his pastoral responsibilities, he and Matushka Dunia remained an active presence in the parish, since it was their spiritual family.

Bereavement, 2002

On 9 April, 2002, Protodeacon Basil Hubiak, brother of Father Daniel, fell asleep in the Lord suddenly because of a heart-attack.

He had been serving at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois (where he had been ordained in 1958, and to where he had later returned).

Bishop Job (Osacky) of Chicago and the Midwest presided at the funeral services at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago.

After the funeral services, the body of Protodeacon Basil Hubiak was interred at the Saint Tikhon Monastery Cemetery at South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Grave-marker

Bereavement, 2004

On 4 February, 2004, Nicholas Hubiak fell asleep in the Lord unexpectedly in Akron, Ohio.

The funeral services were offered in Saint Nicholas Temple in Akron.

After the conclusion of the funeral services the body of Nicholas Hubiak was interred in the Slovak Evangelical Cemetery (Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cemetery) at Krumroy, Summit County, Ohio.

Grave-marker

Continuing service to the Church in retirement

In his later years, Father Daniel had also been active in the management of Saints Cosmas and Damian Adult Home in Staten Island, New York. He also spoke at various events, at which he was able to reflect on the historical events he had witnessed in Church life in North America from the early 20th century, as well as about the multitude of major historical events he personally experienced and the significant ecclesiastical persons he had met and known through most of the 20th century and into the 21st century.

Bereavement, 2011

On 8 March, 2011, Matushka Olga Kovach (born Hubiak) (wife of Archpriest Michael Kovach) fell asleep in the Lord after a long illness, in Lititz, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Olga had been born in the Slovakian part of the Czechoslavakian Republic, and she had emigrated to the USA with her parents.

The funeral services were offered in Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Following the funeral services, the body of Matushka Olga (Hubiak) Kovach was interred at the cemetery of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Bereavement, 2012

On 1 July, 2012, Sophia Soroka/Bolstad (born Hubiak) fell asleep in the Lord in Belle Vernon, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

The funeral services were offered at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania.

Following the funeral services, the body of Sophia (Hubiak) Soroka/Bolstad was interred in the Belle Vernon Cemetery at North Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania.

Grave-marker

60 years of priestly service, 2012

On 1 October, 2012, in Saint Peter and Paul's Orthodox Church in Jersey City, New Jersey, Bishop Michael (Dahulich) of New York and New Jersey served a Moleben of Thanksgiving. The serving of this moleben (in the presence of many parishioners and friends from various places) marked the 60th anniversary of Father Daniel's ordination to the Holy Priesthood.

During his pastoral service, he and Matushka Dunia served in Brooklyn, New York (Holy Transfiguration Church) ; East Meadow, New York (Holy Trinity Church) ; Syosset, New York (Saint Sergius Chapel) ; Jersey City, New Jersey (Saints Peter and Paul Church) ; and Mays Landing, New Jersey (Church of the Mother of God), within the New York-New Jersey diocese. They had also served earlier in the Diocese of Chicago and the Midwest, and in later years in the Diocese of Moscow in Moscow, Russia, in the Representation Church of Saint Catherine, which they established. As was written of them, "They are fondly remembered, with love and respect, in every place they have served Christ and His Holy Church".

90 years of life and service, 2016

On Thursday, 29 December, 2016, Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak celebrated his 90th birthday. Father Daniel and Matushka Evdokia (affectionately known by all as “Dunia”) have served the Orthodox Church in America with unwavering dedication and faithfulness in various capacities and parishes, including Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, Brooklyn, New York; Holy Trinity Church, East Meadow, New York; Saint Sergius Chapel, Syosset, New York; and Saints Peter and Paul Church, Jersey City, New Jersey.

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) congratulated him in writing on this occasion :

 On behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops, the clergy, monastics   and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, please accept 
 my most sincere congratulations on this, the celebration of your  90th birthday.  We arrive at this day with a sense of deep gratitude 
 to our Lord and Saviour for the gifts bestowed upon the Orthodox Church in America through your priestly service and administrative 
 leadership.  With the dedication and faithfulness of a true servant of Christ, you worked in the vineyard that is the Orthodox Church 
 in America in a variety of capacities, always bringing a zeal and energy infectious to all you served.  Your love of those given to your 
 care, be they parishioners in Brooklyn, Long Island or Moscow, or the clergy you served as Chancellor, has always been an exemplary 
 testament to the love you have for Christ and His Holy Church.
 May our Lord grant you and our beloved Matushka Evdokia peace of mind, strength, joy and an increase in every good thing as you 
 continue to be a pastoral presence, and a light of Christ to those around you.

From the time of their return to the USA in 2001, Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia were able to visit Russia again several times during the following 20 years. They were always warmly welcomed back, especially at Saint Catherine’s Church where they had laboured so energetically.

In November-December, 2017, Father Daniel and Matushka Evdokia were able to be present in Moscow for the 100th anniversary of the re-establishment of the patriarchate in the Church of Russia, and for the 25th anniversary of the discovery and the uncovering of the Holy Relics of Saint Patriarch Tikhon (Belavin) in 1992. It was also the 25th anniversary of their arrival in Moscow to begin working towards the establishment of the Representation Church of the OCA in Moscow.

Most recently, Father Daniel participated in the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the inauguration of Saint Catherine’s Church as the OCA Representation Church. These solemnities took place in Moscow in December, 2019, where he was acknowledged by Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev) of Moscow.

In October, 2020, Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia were able to be present in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, for the funeral of Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor). It was noticeable by that time that his health was weaker.

Repose of Protopresbyter Daniel, 2021

On Friday evening, 5 February, 2021, Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak fell asleep in the Lord at his home in Ocean Pines, Maryland, at the age of 94.

On Wednesday, 10 February, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., clergy of the diocese participated in the vesting of the body of Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak in the funeral home facilities in Salisbury, Maryland. Afterwards, his body was transported to Christ the Saviour Church in Berlin, Maryland, where, from 1:00 p.m., people could come to pay their respects and to pray.

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) and the current Chancellor of The Orthodox Church in America, Archpriest Alexander Rentel had wished to be present personally in order to participate in all the services ; however, because they had been previously exposed to the Covid-19 virus, they were required to be isolated at this time.

At 3:00 p.m., a Panikhida (memorial service) was served in the Temple by Priest John Parsells and Archpriest Joseph Oleynik (son-in-law of Father Daniel and Matushka Dunia), clergy of Christ the Saviour Parish. Archpriest Joseph Oleynik gave a homily at the conclusion.

Pahikhida service

At 7:00 p.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Presbyter was served in the Temple of Christ the Saviour in Berlin, Maryland. Two former chancellors of The Orthodox Church in America, Archpriest Alexander Garklavs and Archpriest John Jillions, as well as Archpriest Joseph Oleynik and Priest John Parsells were amongst the 6 priests who served. Archpriest Alexander Garklavs gave a homily at the conclusion.

Funeral service

On Thursday, 11 February, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served at Christ the Saviour Temple in Berlin, Maryland. This Divine Liturgy was served by 3 priests, presided by Archpriest John Jillions, who also gave a homily after the Holy Gospel reading. At the conclusion of the Memorial Divine Liturgy, various messages were read aloud. Then followed a Litya which was served by 6 priests, and presided by Archpriest John Jillions. After the conclusion, the last kiss was given to Father Daniel's body. After the concluding prayers, the coffin was closed, and it was taken to the hearse by the clergy.

Memorial Divine Liturgy

After the conclusion of the service, the body of Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak was transported to Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

On Friday, 12 February, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., the order of the interment was served at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.

Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak was survived by Matushka Dunia Hubiak, his beloved spouse of 69 years ; daughters, Larice Nescott and her husband Gregg (an attorney and prominent Orthodox layman, who was a longtime member of the Metropolitan Council), and Matushka Annice, wife of Archpriest Joseph Oleynik (recently-retired pastor of Saint John the Baptist Church of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania) as well as several grandchildren and their families.

— Secretary of The Orthodox Church in America 1970-1973. Preceded by : Archpriest George Benigsen. Succeeded by : (in 1986) Archpriest Robert S Kondratick.

— Treasurer of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America, and The Orthodox Church in America 1963-1973 Preceded by : Protopresbyter Joseph Pishtey (as Secretary-Treasurer). Succeeded by : (in 1979) Mr. Richard Reidy.

— Chancellor of The Orthodox Church in America 1973-1988. Preceded by : Protopresbyter Joseph Pishtey. Succeeded by : Protopresbyter Robert S Kondratick.

Reflections

It was written in the OCA announcements that "His passing truly marks the end of an era. From Father Daniel’s connection through his father to the Church in North America in the early 20th century to the multitude of major historical events he personally experienced and significant church figures he knew through most of the 20th century and into the 21st century".

During an interview, Father Daniel and Matushka Evdokia mentioned that throughout their married life, they did everything together. Matushka Evdokia had been told at the beginning of his service as a priest that his service would (and should) involve her completely also. Therefore, although she was working outside the home in order to supplement the income, there was no aspect of family or parish life in which they were not involved together. They are not by any means the only priest and matushka to live and serve in such a manner, but they do provide a prominent example for others to emulate with God's help.

Father Daniel and Matushka Evdokia Hubiak were present in 1992 at the uncovering of the Holy Relics of Saint Tikhon of Moscow. Following is the substance of their report of their experience on that occasion :

Account of Matushka Dunia Hubiak

It is Saturday, 22 February, 1992, in Moscow. Father Dan and I are living at the Danilovsky Hotel.
We arrived in Moscow a month ago for Father Dan to begin his new assignment as Representative
of the Orthodox Church in America to the Russian Orthodox Church (The Moscow Patriarchate).

Because no church was yet designated as our Representation Church, Father Dan would call
Father Matfey Stadniuk on Saturday mornings to be told where he was to be for the Vigil and
Divine Liturgy that weekend (usually at the Patriarchal Cathedral). This Saturday morning (22 February)
Father Matfey could not be reached. Finally, around noon he answered the phone and told Father Dan
to be at the Donskoy Monastery for a special service at 2:00 p.m.

The receptionists at the hotel (who were always very helpful) ordered a car and driver for us,
and off we were to the Donskoy Monastery. Upon our arrival at the main gate of the monastery,
a mass of people, including clergy of all ranks, was gathering. A sense of excitement permeated
the scene.

What could all of this mean ?

We arrived at the winter church and saw more people, clergy and TV cameras ! Father Dan was
separated from me to join the clergy – I was left behind. At that time, a month after arriving
in Moscow, my linguistic ability was almost nonexistent, so I was unable to ask anyone anything.
So I stood there, trying to not get squeezed trying to see. We were standing around what looked
like a crypt in the vestibule.

Patriarch Aleksey entered and began the service. More and more people crowded into the space,
and again I was pushed to the side, unable to see. However, I could still hear, and to my
astonishment I discovered that we were standing at the tomb of the recently canonised
Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia – in many ways OUR Patriarch whom we commemorate as
‘the Enlightener of North America’.

The Moleben service began and the coffin was opened. I made my way to a side of the area and found
a chair on which I stood. When the reality dawned on me as to what was taking place, I was very much
moved and could hardly see because of my tears.

After most of the crowd had pushed and shoved its way to the side, I was able to look down and found
the Mantia still intact with the eagles on the shoulders and at the hem.

Father Dan was given a piece of wood from the casket.

Just think ! If Father Dan had not reached Father Matfey, who was in his office all of two minutes,
we would have missed this once in a lifetime experience !

Account of Father Daniel Hubiak

At the end of the meeting of the Permanent Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness,
Patriarch Aleksey was informed that the grave of Saint Tikhon had been found in the smaller
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Don in the Donskoy Monastery. The Patriarch immediately went to the
site and arranged for the opening of the casket at a special service at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday,
22 February, 1992.

The top of the simple wooden casket was removed, revealing the mantia which covered the body
of the saint. Two gold brocaded emblems on the mantia were shining as new. His Holiness said
that the green patriarchal mantia was special in that it was one of only three made with that
material and special style. The stones in the cross of the Saint’s mitre glistened as camera
lights flashed.

A Moleben was sung. Patriarch Aleksey spoke of the significance of this discovery and stated
that a crypt will be made for the Saint’s relics.

The discovery of the Saint’s grave was miraculous. Three different rumours pointed to the
improbability of ever finding the remains of the Saint. One version had it that the remains of
the Saint had been cremated, another that he was buried in an unmarked grave in one cemetery,
another that his remains were in another, unidentified cemetery. The Church had no plans of
trying to find the grave.

A fire at the smaller Cathedral of Our Lady of the Don made it necessary to undertake an extensive
renovation of the church. In the process of this renovation, a grave marker was found, but there was
no body under the stone. It was thought that perhaps the burial place was to one side or another of
the stone. A search of the area proved fruitless. But under the stone was a large heating pipe that
appeared to be intact. An archeological expert examined the site and noticed that in fact the pipe,
not detectable to the untrained eye, had indeed been disturbed. The pipe was removed and beneath it,
covered by earth, was a grave vault. The vault was opened and the casket of Saint Tikhon was discovered
there. On the casket was a plaque identifying it as the casket of the Saint. Those who buried the Saint
took special pains to keep his body and his burial place secure and safe.

The finding of the Saint’s grave was a miracle. The presence of the Representative of the OCA at the opening
of the grave was another sign of God’s providence. By chance I had called Father Matfey Stadniuk to discuss
the schedule of services for the weekend. He was in his office only for a few minutes – and that was when
I called. He told me to be at the Donskoy Monastery for a Moleben. It appears that the person who was to have
informed me simply forgot to do so.

An Act of the Opening of the Grave was signed by the Patriarch, the hierarchs, clergy and lay persons present.
My name and my wife’s name appear on the document. I obtained a piece of wood from the top of the Saint’s casket.

O Holy Father Patriarch Tikhon, pray unto God for us !

Opening the Holy Relics of Saint Tikhon of Moscow, 1992

Awards

Father Daniel was honoured with many awards throughout his long life of pastoral service.

Most notably, he was elevated in 1997 to the rank of Protopresbyter, a rare honour for clergy who serve with great distinction.

In that same year, he was awarded the Order of Saint Daniel by Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow.

In 2001, in recognition of his diligent labor on behalf of the Church during his tenure as Dean of Saint Catherine’s Representation Church, Father Daniel Hubiak was awarded the Order of Saint Sergius, Second Class, on 11 June by Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow. The Patriarch presented the award, one of the highest in the Orthodox Church of Russia, to Father Hubiak at the Patriarchal Residence at Moscow’s Saint Daniel Monastery. Amongst those present for the award ceremony were Archbishop Herman (Swaiko) of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Temporary Administrator of the Orthodox Church in America ; Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, OCA Chancellor ; and Archpriest Joseph Fester, OCA Development Director.

He was also given the Saint Innocent Award (gold class) and the right to wear the mitre.

At the same time, Matushka Evdokia Hubiak received the Saint Innocent Award (gold class) in recognition for her crucial role in all the work that her husband was able to accomplish.

On 10 December, 2019, in Moscow, the chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations (DECR), Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk, presented the Medal of Saint Mark of Ephesus (1st degree) to the first rector of the Orthodox Church in America Representation Church in Moscow, Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak. The presentation was made in the Church of Saint Catherine, in the presence of the Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada Tikhon (Mollard), who was at the head of an official delegation of the Orthodox Church in America.

Giving of the Medal of Saint Mark of Ephesus