January 29 is the anniversary of Bishop Soter Ortynsky’s birthday.
On this occasion, we would like to present some of the personal belongings of the first Greek Catholic bishop in America, which are housed in the Treasury of Faith Museum. These items represent and symbolize different aspects of the life of Stepan Ortynsky, a Ukrainian who chose to be a Basilian monk and was later elected a bishop to serve the faithful in the USA.
Stepan Ortynsky was a devoted Ukrainian. He was expelled from the Drohobych gymnasium for his pro-Ukrainian stance. At the time, the Polish language was dominant in Galicia, and Ortynsky's participation in a singing group that performed exclusively in Ukrainian posed a challenge for the gymnasium’s management. The embroidered shirt shown below was embroidered for Bishop Soter by his sister Anelia Ortynska. It is a symbol of his strong Ukrainian position.
At the age of 18, young Stepan Ortynsky entered the Basilian Monastery in Dobromyl. He was among the first novices to enter the monastery after its reform in 1882. After becoming a priest, Soter Ortynsky oversaw all Basilian missionary work in Galicia. He was a wonderful preacher - passionate and emotional, but with deep theological knowledge and a kind heart. The Basilian monastic cross in the photo belonged to Bishop Soter. It is a symbol of his dedicated missionary work, whose goal was to preach the gospel of Christ.
In 1907, Father Soter became the first bishop for Ukrainians (Ruthenians) in the United States. For 9 years of devoted and ardent service, he cared for his faithful, young and old. The orphanage he founded, together with the Basilian sisters, took care of hundreds of children, both orphans and those whose parents (often widowed mothers) could not raise them on their own due to hardship. The handmade, embroidered episcopal omophorion, which you see below, belonged to Bishop Soter and is a symbol of how he surrounded his faithful, who sought protection in a foreign land, with his protection.
Quotes on the omophorion:
The LORD’s right hand works valiantly. Ps. 117:16.
A clean heart create for me, God. Ps. 50:12.
Give glory to the LORD, your God. Jer. 13:16.