Metropolitan Borys in Kharkiv: “Here the fate of democracy, freedoms, and God-given human dignity is decided”

“Ukraine, and cities like Kharkiv, today are places where the fate of democracy, freedoms, and God-given human dignity is being decided,” Metropolitan Borys emphasized.

During his meeting with Mayor Ihor Terekhov, Metropolitan Borys spoke about the efforts of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the U.S. to support Ukrainians: “We help and support you in prayer. Ukraine today is fighting not only for its independence but also for values that unite all civilized nations. We want the truth about your struggle to be heard in every corner of the world.”

The mayor, in turn, shared painful examples of loss and emphasized that without a spiritual dimension, Ukraine’s recovery would be incomplete. Metropolitan Borys was accompanied by Kharkiv Exarch Bishop Vasyl Tuchapets.

After the Liturgy, Archbishop Ihor Isichenko thanked Metropolitan Borys for his prayer and support: “We sincerely thank you, Your Grace, for your ministry, for the sense of family you bring to our church today. I hope we meet many more times here, in Kharkiv—already a victorious Kharkiv.”

Following the Liturgy, Metropolitan Borys reviewed repair work at the Holy-Dmytrivska Church. For the second year in a row, the Philadelphia Archeparchy has supported these efforts, crucial for preserving Kharkiv’s architectural heritage.

Metropolitan Borys also met with writer Serhiy Zhadan for a recording for Radio Khartiya, visited the Kharkiv Literary Museum to meet staff and Maria Takhtaulova, head of the Second Department of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory.

Archbishop Borys held meetings with university rectors: Tetiana Kahanovska (V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University), Ihor Ruban (Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics), and Yuriy Boychuk (H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University). He thanked them for their courage and resilience in the face of challenges.

The metropolitan also visited the Aza Nizi Maza children’s art studio and attended a screening of the documentary film Cuba & Alaska, about friends serving as military medics.