On October 22 and 23, 2026, clergy, family members, friends and faithful gathered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to bid farewell to Father Paul Wolensky, a priest of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, October 18, at the age of 63.
On Thursday, October 22, a Parastas was celebrated at the John V. Morris Family Funeral Home in Wilkes-Barre. During the prayer service, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, reflected on Father Paul's deep love for the liturgy, his gift of singing and his lifelong dedication to proclaiming the Gospel of Christ's resurrection.
Recalling Father Paul's musical gifts, Metropolitan Borys noted that he had been known as a singer since his seminary days and had led liturgical singing in Washington, Rome, the parishes where he served and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia.
"He loved the liturgy. He loved the prayer of the Church. It is the Church today accompanying him with that prayer," the Metropolitan said.
Reflecting on the meaning of the Parastas, Archbishop Borys explained how the prayers of the Church give voice to the departed and unite the living and deceased in the proclamation of Christ's resurrection.
"Father Paul is speaking to us, is praying with us, is singing with us for the last time with the prayer of the Church. And he is announcing with us, for us, the Gospel, the Gospel of the resurrection."
The Metropolitan also spoke about the reality of death and suffering, recalling the ongoing war in Ukraine and the many conflicts and injustices throughout the world. He emphasized that, through Jesus Christ, death has been overcome and humanity is not left alone in suffering.
"And that is our faith. And that is the faith that Father Paul gave his life to — to announce the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to announce the victory over death," he said.
Recalling the joy with which Father Paul proclaimed the Resurrection through liturgical singing, Metropolitan Borys added:
"How joyfully and gloriously he sang, 'Christ is risen.' His voice was the trumpet that announced this ultimate truth."
The Archbishop thanked Father Paul for his decades of priestly service, including the celebration of Divine Liturgies and the sacraments, hearing confessions, blessing marriages and comforting grieving families.
"Dear Father, in the name of all the people you have served — bishops, priests, and faithful — I thank you for that service."
Metropolitan Borys also expressed gratitude to Father Paul's family, friends and brother priests, including those who had traveled considerable distances to attend the service. He spoke of reconciliation, forgiveness and healing as the Church accompanied Father Paul in prayer.
Concluding his reflection, the Metropolitan expressed the hope that Father Paul would enter the Father's house proclaiming the Good News of Christ's resurrection.
"That is the prayer of the Church that Father Paul so loved. And that is the prayer of the Church with which we accompany him today."
The funeral services continued on Friday, October 23, with prayers for the repose of Father Paul's soul. He was laid to rest at St. Mary's Byzantine Cemetery in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
May his memory be eternal! Вічная пам'ять!
