Second Day of Conference Marking 80 Years Since the 1946 Pseudo-Sobor Begins with Divine Liturgy in Washington, D.C.

On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the second day of the conference “The 1946 Pseudo-Sobor: 80 Years Later — The Persecution Continues” began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in the Ukrainian Catholic Chapel.

The chapel, adorned with sacred iconography painted by the late iconographer Christine Dochwat, provided a fitting setting for prayer and reflection. The Liturgy brought together conference participants, clergy, and faithful, including students from St. Gabriel.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a Panakhyda was served for the repose of the soul of Christine Dochwat, who passed away just days prior. Her artistic legacy, present in the very space where the faithful gathered, stood as a visible testimony to her lifelong service to the Church.

Reflecting on her life and work, Archbishop Borys Gudziak shared, “I once asked her which church was her favorite, and she said, "This chapel." Shortly before her death, I asked her again the same question, she said, "The cathedral." Her work is present in many places, but today we pray for her here, in her chapel."

The day continued with panel discussions addressing both the historical and present realities of religious persecution in Ukraine.

The morning session, Panel IV: Witness for the Past and Present: Russian Religious Persecution in Ukraine, brought together scholars, clergy, and experts who examined the legacy of Soviet repression and its continuation in contemporary Russian policies. Speakers reflected on religious freedom, legal challenges, and the lived experience of faith communities under occupation.

Among the presenters were Rev. Dr. Mark Morozowich, Dr. Oleh Turiy,  Rev. Oleksandr Bohomaz, Dr. Mykhailo Britsyn, Yevhen Vasylenkov, Dr. Maksym Vasin and Dmytro Vovk, each offering perspectives from theology, law, and human rights advocacy.

The program continued with a roundtable discussion on future steps, featuring George Weigel, Borys Gudziak, Denys Sienik and  Dr. Robert Destro. The discussion emphasized the importance of truth-telling, international awareness, and continued support for Ukraine.

Reflecting on the significance of the conference, Archbishop Borys Gudziak noted, “This conference not only recalled, but deepened the understanding of the process of the liquidation of the Church in 1946 and at the same time demonstrated its vitality. Today, the Church is alive, growing, and bearing witness to the spiritual resilience of our people. It is important to call things by their proper names — to speak the truth about Russian aggression — so that the wider world does not forget and continues to support the struggle for dignity, freedom, and truth.”

For additional context and a more detailed overview of the conference proceedings, we are attaching the official press release prepared by the St. Gabriel Institute.