41st International Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia, PA, in August 1976
In this column, we would like to share about the events organized by our Church during the 41st International Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia, PA, in August 1976. The theme of the congress was “The Eucharist and the Hungers of the Human Family,” and the slogan was "Jesus, the Bread of Life."
Ukrainian Greek Catholics participated in the congress under the leadership of Bishops Vasyl Losten, Apostolic Administrator of the Philadelphia Archeparchy, Joseph Shmondiuk from Stamford, Yaroslav Gabro from Chicago, Yeronym Khimiy, Andrew Roboretsky, and Dmytro Greschuk from Canada. Hierarchical Divine Liturgies and Molebens were held every day in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, along with Adorations of the Blessed Sacrament.
Monday, August 2, was the Day of Prayer for the Family and Fasting and Caring for Starving People in the World.
Tuesday, August 3, was the Day of Prayer for Human Suffering. Our Archeparchy held a conference on the Suffering Church in Ukraine in the auditorium of the Drexel Institute. The theme of the conference was "Martyrdom of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the Western Lands of Ukraine," with presentations by Bishop Vasyl Losten, Fr. Athanasius Pekar, OSBM, Dr. Lev Dobryanskyi, and Dr. Petro Stercho.
Wednesday, August 4, was the Day of Prayer for Priestly and Monastic Vocations, and a gathering of priests and members of monastic orders was held. On that day, there was also a
conference titled "Teachings of the Fathers of the Eastern Church about Spiritual Life and Its Application in the Present Age."
Thursday, August 5, was the Day of Remembrance. An ecumenical service was held in our Metropolitan Cathedral for the unity of all in Christ, with Baptist pastor Ivan Berkuta preaching. In the evening, the youth theater studio at the "On Friday" theater, under the leadership of Volodymyr Shasharovskyi, performed two religious dramas by Lesia Ukrainka, "Oderzhyma" and "Advocate Martyn."
Friday, August 6, was the Day of Youth and Prayer for Strengthening Religiosity Among Them. A panel discussion for young people was held, led by Fr. Roman Mirchuk. The topics of the discussion were based on the main slogan of the Congress: the Holy Eucharist and hunger for bread, hunger for freedom and justice, hunger for spirit, hunger for understanding, hunger for peace, and hunger for Christ - the Bread of Life. In the evening, a concert of Ukrainian religious music was held, featuring works by Ukrainian composers and performances by the "Prometeus" choir from Philadelphia and the St. John the Baptist Parish Choir from Newark, NJ.
Saturday, August 7, was dedicated to the Peoples of the World, emphasizing the universality of the Catholic Church and the longing of peoples for peace. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by all our bishops and clergy in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The collective choir, united from the church choirs of our parishes of the Philadelphia and Newark deaneries, numbering nearly three hundred people, sang under the direction of Mr. Osyp Lupan.
Sunday, August 8, the Eucharistic Congress solemnly ended with a procession of all participating nations and states. The Ukrainian group marched with the national flag and in national costumes, and a joint Holy Mass was held for all participants in the International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia.
