Vyshyvanka Day

Do you also have embroidered vestments in your parishes? 

On May 15, 2024, Ukraine and Ukrainian communities around the world celebrated Vyshyvanka Day. Although this tradition is relatively young, it has quickly gained widespread recognition and participation among Ukrainians globally. On this occasion, attention was also drawn to the long-standing tradition of embroidered church vestments, which has been and remains an important part of the life and heritage of our Church and our Archeparchy.

Chances are you've seen embroidered priests' or bishops' vestments at least once in your life. They somehow stand out among other vestments, perhaps because they bear the special creative touch of the masters who crafted them, whether by machine or often by hand. 

Today, we're excited to share with you some photos and the story behind the creation of the embroidered priestly vestments of Bishop Ivan Bura. These vestments were worn by the newly ordained Fr. Ivan for his first Divine Liturgy at his home parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Jersey 

City, NJ, on April 26, 1971. They were embroidered by his mother, Maria Bura, his godmother, Parania Sheremeta, and his neighbor, Maria Kutsa. Note the intricate details of the embroidery and a moment captured from Fr. Ivan Bura's first Divine Liturgy, in which he stands beside Fr. Anthony Borsa. 

You can get a closer look at these beautiful priestly vestments and other embroidered priestly and episcopal robes in the Archeparchial "Treasury of Faith" museum.