Archeparchy of Philadelphia Expresses Condolences to His Beatitude Sviatoslav on His Mother’s death

The letter of condolence reads, “Your Mother not only gave you life, through her boundless motherly tenderness and love for music and art, she opened for you a deep spiritual dimension of life and taught you to draw from deep spiritual sources that still inspire you to seek God and His beauty. The times of the atheist regime could not extinguish her faith and love for God and her Church. Through constant contact with the persecuted Church, its priests and active laity, your family created an environment where the faith of the future Head of the UGCC matured. Your Mother gave birth to you for life and for God.”

On behalf of the faithful in the United States, the Metropolitan thanked the newly deceased Vira for giving her sons the gift of life. “We thank the late Vira Shevchuk for her sons. Through the ministry and prayer of the sons, the fruits of her life will continue, multiply, and will give life-giving strength to many.”

His Beatitude Sviatoslav’s mother taught piano at a music school before retiring, something he reflected upon: “My mother worked at a music school almost all her life as a piano teacher. If we talk about my first memories, they are related to the piano. There was always music in our house. Even when my mother was doing household chores–for example, cooking in the kitchen–students would play the piano in the next room.”

In the letter to His Beatitude the Metropolitan concluded, “Despite our ministry and high responsibilities, as long as our parents are alive, we remain children, and their departure leaves pain and emptiness in our hearts. May the all-merciful Lord, who today receives your Mother in his Father’s arms, give a cure that will heal the wound of loss for you, your Father, and brother.”

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