The Permanent Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, of which Metropolitan Borys Gudziak is a member, continued its visit to Australia throughout this week. Led by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the bishops met with the Ukrainian community, representatives of the Catholic Church, and government officials.
The Permanent Synod, which serves as an advisory body to the Head of the Church, also includes Bishops Volodymyr Juszczak, Bohdan Dzyurakh, and Yosafat Moschych. The Secretary of the Synod is Bishop Andriy Khimyak.
On Sunday, December 7, at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in North Melbourne, His Beatitude Sviatoslav presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, which was attended by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli. Cardinal Mykola Bychok, bishops of the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), diocesan clergy, and the faithful also took part in the Liturgy.
On December 8, while in the capital of Australia, Canberra, they met with the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo, and the Archbishop of Canberra, Christopher Prowse. Cardinal Bychok also participated in the joint meeting.
On December 9, on the Feast of the Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos by Saint Anne, the bishops took part in joint prayer at St. Volodymyr’s Church in Canberra. The Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo, Bishop Mykola, Cardinal Bychok, Bishop of the Melbourne Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul, as well as bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, also paticipated in the service.
On the same day, in Canberra the bishops of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC met with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko. The meeting took place at the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia.
On December 10, while in Canberra, the bishops - members of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC and His Beatitude Sviatoslav, visited the Orthodox Centre of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, where they prayed for peace and victory for Ukraine and served a memorial service for the victims of the Holodomor during 1932-1933. On the same day, in Melbourne, the bishops of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC met with Jacinta Allan, the Premier of the State of Victoria. During the meeting, the parties discussed the ministry of the UGCC in Australia, challenges facing the Ukrainian community amid the war, and further cooperation in supporting Ukrainians.
After returning from Canberra to Melbourne, the members of the Permanent Synod continued their working sessions. During the fifth and sixth sessions, participants heard reports on the pastoral and organizational activities of the UGCC in various regions of the world.
On December 12, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia, the bishops of the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church met with Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell. Metropolitan Borys Gudziak emphasized the important role of Australia as one of Ukraine’s most consistent partners outside NATO.
Photos: UGCC official website
