This week, we are gearing up to meet Patriarch Sviatoslav and the bishops of the Permanent Synod as they convene in Washington next week. This includes Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Bishop Wolodymyr Juszczak, Bishop Bohdan Dzyurakh, and Bishop Yosafat Moschych, with Bishop Andriy Khimyak serving as the Secretary of the Synod.
This isn't the first time the Permanent Synod has graced our Archeparchy with its presence. Back in December 2019, they held meetings in Washington and Philadelphia.
Let's also take a trip down memory lane to the significant Synod of the Bishops of the UGCC held in Philadelphia in 2007.
Here are some fascinating tidbits about that historic event:
- It marked the first time our Church held a Synod of Bishops outside of Europe.
- The Synod commemorated the centenary of the arrival of the first Bishop Soter Ortynskyi in the United States in 1907.
- Evangelization took center stage as the theme of the Synod.
- As a lasting memento, the bishops signed a beautifully carved Hutsul plate.
Today, we're thrilled to share photos from these memorable occasions, including snapshots of the commemorative plate. Can you spot the signatures of all the bishops?