Catechist Day Celebration in the Philadelphia Archeparchy
On October 18, 2025, the Philadelphia Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church celebrated Catechist Day — an event that brought together catechists, clergy, and lay faithful for prayer, gratitude, and spiritual enrichment.
This year holds special significance for the entire catechetical community, as Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska was proclaimed the patroness of catechists of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.
The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy, presided over by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak. Following the prayer, the Metropolitan gave his blessing for the new academic year and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the catechists for their dedicated service. In his homily, he encouraged everyone to witness to the faith through their lives and to bring Christ’s truth and love to the communities where they are called to serve.
After the Liturgy, participants gathered for a festive luncheon and formation program, opened with words of welcome from Fr. Mykola Dziurakh and Uliana Dziurakh.
A special guest of the celebration was Mrs. Iryna Galadza — a long-time catechist, active church leader, and Doctor Honoris Causa of the Ukrainian Catholic University. In her presentation, she reflected on the importance of liturgical catechesis in the life of the Church today, sharing both practical insights and her personal experience, which continues to inspire catechists in their ministry.
The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate then shared about Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska and her intercession for catechists. Sister Natalya Stoczanyn, SSMI spoke about how Blessed Josaphata carried out catechesis in her time and highlighted the qualities of her ministry that remain a guiding example for us today.
The celebration concluded with a common prayer and words of gratitude from the Catechetical-Educational Office of the Archeparchy, thanking all catechists for their tireless service to God and the Church.
