Metropolitan Borys Gudziak Begins a Fraternal Visit to Ukraine
On January 20, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia began a fraternal visit to Ukraine. The purpose of the visit is to express solidarity with the eparchies and institutions of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in Ukraine, which are facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to ongoing Russian attacks and the destruction of energy infrastructure, as well as to participate in events at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), where Metropolitan Borys serves as President (Chair of the Senate).
On the first day of his visit, coinciding with the beginning of the new academic semester, Metropolitan Borys met with students of UCU. Their conversation focused on solidarity, with students sharing how they support one another while living and studying amid the realities of war.
“Begin and end each day with prayer. I grew up with this practice,” Metropolitan Borys told the students. “Certain rhythms—stable, non-negotiable moments in life—provide inner stability and help us discern what truly matters: what gives life and what drains our energy.”
On January 21, Metropolitan Borys presided at the Divine Liturgy for the UCU community at the Church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia). In his homily, he encouraged students to cultivate a personal relationship with Christ through prayer.
“I invite you to do a simple exercise: in the morning and in the evening, look into the face of the Savior. Look Christ in the eyes. Know that He is with you,” the Metropolitan said. “In a special way, in today’s prayer, we embrace our defenders and their families.”
Later that day, the annual Christmas Prosphora gathering took place at the Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv—a meeting of friends and benefactors who support scholarships for seminarians. Metropolitan Borys served as the keynote speaker. He expressed gratitude to seminary alumni serving throughout Ukraine and abroad, including in the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and encouraged current seminarians to make full use of the formation opportunities offered by the seminary.
On January 22, the Feast of the Unity of Ukraine, Metropolitan Borys met with Metropolitan Ihor Vozniak of Lviv and Auxiliary Bishop Volodymyr Hrutsa. Together they celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. George’s Cathedral in Lviv. Bishop-emeritus Hlib Lonchyna concelebrated.
That same day, Metropolitan Borys presented the Light of Justice Award to Maksym Butkevych, a human rights defender, journalist, and co-founder and board member of the ZMINA Human Rights Center. In June 2022, Butkevych was captured by Russian forces while serving as an officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and spent two years and four months in captivity.
“Maksym has gone through hell and could testify about it—but instead, he bears witness to humanity,” Metropolitan Borys said. “His voice is a tuning fork. He finds words that restore meaning in a time of growing senselessness. Our community is honored to recognize your witness, your stance, and your word.”
On January 23, Metropolitan Borys visited the Ivano-Frankivsk Archeparchy and the Kolomyia Eparchy of the UGCC. In Ivano-Frankivsk, he presided at the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Residence. Accompanied by Metropolitan Volodymyr Viityshyn and the Archeparchial Economus, Fr. Ivan Hornetsky, the delegation visited St. Luke’s Clinic, learning about its medical services and social initiatives carried out under the spiritual guidance of the Ivano-Frankivsk Archeparchy.
The program also included a visit to a future rehabilitation center and to St. Basil the Great Catholic Kindergarten, located in the former residence of the Stanislaviv bishops. During the war, the historic cellars of the building have served as a shelter.
In Kolomyia, the delegation was accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Petro Holinei and Fr. Serhii Tryfiak, Director of Caritas Kolomyia. The visit began at St. John Paul II Catholic School, which recently suffered damage due to a fire. Despite the challenges, the school community shared that classes were never suspended, as the other school’s building and the eparchial chancery provided temporary space for learning.
The guests also visited the Caritas Kolomyia humanitarian warehouse, established with the support of the Healing the Wounds of War in Ukraine Foundation, founded by Ukrainian Catholic bishops in the United States. The visit concluded with a joint prayer at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Christ and a visit to the Museum of Sacred Art of Bishop Mykola Simkailo.
Later that day, Metropolitan Borys traveled to Chernivtsi, where the conference “The Voice of the UGCC in the World” began. The conference is organized by the St. Gabriel Institute in cooperation with the Ukrainian Catholic University.
