Metropolitan Borys Gudziak Celebrates New Year Divine Liturgy in Sloatsburg, NY
On Thursday, January 1, 2026, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Saint Joseph Adult Care Home in Sloatsburg, New York. The service was offered for the residents, staff, and the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate on the occasion of the beginning of the New Year and the liturgical feasts of the Circumcision of the Lord and Saint Basil the Great.
In his homily, Metropolitan Gudziak reflected on gratitude at the start of the new year, noting that “we have much to be thankful for—our lives, our baptism, and our vocation.” He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Sisters Servants for their faithfulness to their vocation and to their guiding motto, “to serve where the need is greatest.”
The Metropolitan also reflected on the mystery of the Incarnation, emphasizing that God becomes human and shares in the hardships of human life, including cold, loneliness, persecution, and migration. Drawing from the Gospel account of the Holy Family’s journey to Jerusalem, he highlighted the themes of freedom and trust, encouraging those present to “surrender to Jesus and let Him take care of everything.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Borys extended New Year’s blessings to all in attendance. Following the service, he joined the Sisters Servants for a festive breakfast. Mitred Archpriest Peter Waslo, Protosyncellus of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and Rev. Volodymyr Radko also participated in the prayer and fellowship.
