Ukrainian Metropolitan Borys Gudziak Joins Washington Presentation of Book on Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky
On Sunday, September 28, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak participated in the presentation of a book on Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky. The event was organized by the Washington Branch of the Shevchenko Scientific Society and held at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, in commemoration of the 160th anniversary of Metropolitan Andrey’s birth.
The book—originally a PhD dissertation titled The Influence of Andrey Sheptytsky on the Cultural and Educational Aspects of Social Life in Halychyna at the end of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century—was written by Lybomyr Krypa. Its publication served as a tribute to the author, who died in 2023 defending Ukraine on the front line.
Joining Metropolitan Borys as speakers were Mitred Archpriest Mark Morozowich, Chair and Director of the Bishop H. Losten Center for Ukrainian Church Studies at the Catholic University of America; Dr. Nataliya Havdyda, a member of the Washington Branch of the Shevchenko Scientific Society; and Ms. Mariya Lupjy from the USCCB Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
The event began with opening remarks by Dr. Bohdana Urbanovych, Head of the Washington Branch of the Shevchenko Scientific Society. Each of the panelists then presented one of the book’s chapters.
In his remarks, Metropolitan Borys placed Metropolitan Andrey in a global context. “He was 35 years old [when he became Metropolitan of Lviv], and he remained in that position for 44 years, under seven political regimes,” he noted. Metropolitan Andrey became the ethnarch of a stateless Ukrainian people and spoke on their behalf to the world. Metropolitan Borys emphasized that even among Ukrainians, Metropolitan Sheptytsky was both accepted and criticized. Ultimately, the legacy of Metropolitan Sheptytsky continues to bear fruit today. As an example, Metropolitan Borys highlighted the application of social doctrine (human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, and common good) in contemporary Ukraine.
The next two speakers highlighted specific aspects of Metropolitan Andrey’s legacy. Fr. Mark Morozowich discussed his systematic efforts in building an educational system, from elementary schools to the Lviv Theological Academy, which was envisioned as a future university. Ms. Mariya Lupjy focused on Metropolitan Andrey’s emphasis on the importance of family and pastoral care for youth.
The event concluded with remarks from Ms. Iryna Krypa, the author’s wife, who thanked the presenters and attendees for honoring the memory of her late husband.
