Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna Visits Philadelphia

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosted a reception in her honor. Following a welcome by Lauren Swartz, President and CEO of the Council, Ambassador Stefanishyna met with a diverse group of guests, including members of the Ukrainian community, fellow diplomats, and Philadelphia city officials.

During the event, Rue Landau, a member of the Philadelphia City Council, presented Iryna Mazur, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia, and the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia with a resolution honoring Ukrainian organizations in Philadelphia for their service to Ukrainian Americans, Ukrainian refugees, and the broader community. The resolution had been introduced in City Council and unanimously adopted on February 19, 2026. Accepting it on behalf of the Archeparchy was Marta Rubel.

Later that day, Ambassador Stefanishyna and members of her delegation visited the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Borys Gudziak spoke about the history of the cathedral and about the presence and ministry of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States. The guests also visited the museum “Treasury of Faith,” located beneath the cathedral.

During the visit, Ambassador Stefanishyna, members of her team, Metropolitan Borys, and Honorary Consul Iryna Mazur also participated in creating the canvas “Song of Songs of the Ukrainian People.” The monumental mural is being developed by three Ukrainian artists as a collective artistic project in which children, adults, wounded soldiers, and members of the community are invited to contribute.