ARCHEPARCHY
Our community supports one another in faith, celebrates the rich traditions of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and strives to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. Our parish community is vibrant and welcoming family of faith, dedicated to worship, service, and spiritual growth.
The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
is the Catholic archeparchy governing all Ukrainian Greek Catholic eparchies and Ukrainian Greek Catholics in the United States. Its headquarters is in Philadelphia, PA
Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Address: 811 N Franklin St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Website for Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia ukrcatholic.org
"The Way" Diocese Newsletter
visit: https://ukrcatholic.org/news
MAJOR METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP
OF KIEV-GALACIA
Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk
Patriach of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
+Borys Gudziak
Archbishop of Philadelphia for Ukrainians
Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in the United States
BISHOPS
+Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, Eparch of Stamford
+Вenedict Aleksiychuk, Eparch of St. Nicholas in Chicago
+Bohdan J. Danylo, Eparch of St. Josaphat in Parma
Donations for Humanitarian Aid
Our parish is collecting donations to the humanitarian aid fund for you praying through the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. We welcome your generous offerings to help our fellow Ukrainians.
There are several ways you may give your donation:
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place your donation in the collection basket at Saturdays or Sundays Liturgies
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in the donation basket in the vestibule of the church
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mail your check to our church address at 472 Emmett St., Phoenixville, PA 19460
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mail your check directly to the Chancery Office at 810 N. Franklin St., Philadelphia, PA 19123
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donate on the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s website https://ukrcatholic.org/ and click on “donate“ through PayPal and select “WAR VICTIMS AND HUMANITARIAN CRISES IN UKRAINE”.
Please make all checks payable to Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Write on the check “Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine". Any donation, large or small, can help someone. Continue praying for the war victims.
May God reward you richly,
Father Ihor
As we watch the harrowing images of the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfold across our television screens and in our social media feed, many of us have been grappling with what we can do from afar to help the people fleeing the war and seeking safety.
Americans have shown their solidarity with the Ukrainian people through donations to frontline organizations responding to the crisis at borders across Europe and through support for the Ukrainian American community. Now we are being called upon to step up as Welcomers.
President Biden announced that 100,000 people forced to flee Ukraine can seek safe haven in the United States, and beginning April 25, they can apply to come here under a government program known as “Uniting for Ukraine.” But coming to the United States through this pathway requires support from a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or other legally-residing individual – including representatives of non-government organizations.You can help.
We have partnered with Welcome.US to amplify the call to action for 100,000 Americans to step up as sponsors and welcomers for Ukrainian newcomers.
By becoming a sponsor, you can provide the necessary support for a family or individual fleeing the war and make sure they are successfully welcomed into our communities. The federal government will vet and approve the applications of both sponsors and people from Ukraine seeking humanitarian parole.
If you’re not ready to sponsor, but still want to help, the Ukraine Welcome Hub also offers details on other acts of welcome you can take to support Ukrainian newcomers in the United States. By becoming a welcomer, you can donate to the Welcome Fund to support frontline organizations, donate housing to Airbnb, donate miles to Miles4Migrants, and sign up to keep informed on ways to welcome Ukrainians, including upcoming volunteer opportunities in your community.
People fleeing the violence and horrors of the last two months in Ukraine now have the opportunity to live in safety and stability as our new neighbors. This is an opportunity that should be available for all newcomers seeking refuge here.
It’s a long road ahead, but with all of us coming together to embody the best of our community’s values, we can help pave a smoother path for Ukrainian newcomers as they begin their journey of healing and rebuilding.
Thank you,
UUARC
MOVING FEASTDAYS TO NEW CALENDAR
From September 1, 2023, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine switches to a new style for fixed holidays while adhering to the current Paschalia. This was stated by the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, on the live broadcast of “Live TV,” announcing the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in Ukraine.
“Taking into account the numerous requests of the faithful and having conducted prior consultations with the clergy and monastics of our Church about the urgent need to reform the Liturgical Calendar of the UGCC in Ukraine, as well as taking into account pastoral reasoning:
A. The UGCC in Ukraine will switch from September 1, according to the new style (beginning of the Indictus) of the Year of our Lord 2023, to a new style for fixed holidays with the preservation of the current Paschalia.
B. For those parishes or separate communities that feel they are not yet ready for such a step (with the individual blessing of the diocesan bishop), to keep the possibility of liturgical life according to the Julian calendar for the period until the Year of Our Lord 2025,” says the 5th resolution of 93 rd session of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in Ukraine, which took place on February 1–2, 2023 in Lviv-Bryukhovychi.
According to this decision, starting from September 1 this year, the UGCC in Ukraine will celebrate all fixed feasts in the new style. Primarily, Christmas — on December 25, Epiphany — on January 6, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary — on March 25, Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary — on October 1, St. Nicholas Day — on December 6, etc. “I would emphasize that it is not only Christmas! During the summits and preparations for our Synod, we did not talk about Christmas but all the holidays that belong to the fixed cycle. Because it is absolutely against any liturgical rules to change the date of celebration of only one holiday, you cannot change the date of Christmas, moving it to December 25, and leave all the others in the old style,” explained His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The transition to the new style will take place on September 1, which marks the beginning of the new liturgical year.
Parishes that are not yet ready for such a step will have the opportunity, with the permission of their bishop, to celebrate fixed feasts in the old style until September 2025 (Christmas — January 7, Epiphany — January 19, Annunciation — April 7, etc.). “For those parishes or separate communities that do not feel ready for such a step (with the individual blessing of the diocesan bishop), to keep the possibility of liturgical life according to the Julian calendar for the period until the year 2025,” follows the 2 nd paragraph of the 5th resolution of the Synod.
The UGCC in Ukraine will celebrate Easter and all related holidays in the old style, as before.
“We are switching to the new style only for fixed holidays. We have decided to leave Paschalia as it is today. The actual Paschalia remains valid,” said the Head of the UGCC.
According to the Primate, the calendar reform of the UGCC in Ukraine will have two stages. The first step has already been taken. Regarding the celebration of Easter, the bishops “decided to wait for a while.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav explained that in 2025 the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea would be celebrated. In preparation for this anniversary, collaborative work is underway in a dialogue between Rome and Constantinople on a renewed Paschalia, according to which all Christians will celebrate Easter on the same day.
The Head of the UGCC noted that when the survey was conducted, the bishops decided that if about 70 % of those support the decision to reform, we can move forward. “But it turned out that there is support for almost 90 %, which is in nearly every diocese. That is, the desire and need for the calendar reform were much more potent than we could have hoped, and this is good news,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized asking all the faithful to listen to their Mother Church’s voice and maintain unity and unanimity during the calendar reform.
Beginning September 1, 2023, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine switches to a new style for fixed holidays while adhering to the current Paschalia. The UGCC in Ukraine will celebrate all fixed feasts in the new style. Primarily, Christmas — on December 25, Epiphany — on January 6, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary — on March 25, Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary — on October 1, St. Nicholas Day — on December 6, etc. For more information, click on this link: https://ugcc.ua/en/data/historical-decision-the-ugcc-in-ukraine-switches-to-a-new-calendar
METROPOLITAN BORYS EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLECES TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE UNITED STATES
Dear Leaders and Members of the Jewish Community of Philadelphia and in the United States,
Please accept my condolences on the occasion of the unconscionable terrorist attack on Israel this past weekend. The scale and pitiless nature of the assault is heartrending. Terrorism is never an answer! I express my sincere solidarity with your people.
During our Saturday and Sunday services, we raised prayers for justice and peace for you, your friends, and your relatives. Yesterday, commemorating in Philadelphia the Babyn Yar genocidal massacre of Jews and others with leaders of the Jewish and Ukrainian communities of our city, we were not only mourning past antisemitic crimes and crimes against humanity.
We stood together renewing our commitment to work for peace and justice for all. We stood together as brothers and sisters in shock regarding what is happening before the world’s eyes today, both in the Holy Land and in Ukraine. No more genocide!
More than ever today, Ukrainians and Jews, people of faith and people of goodwill, can understand each other as we face acts meant to lead to our annihilation. At a time when the person of the president of Ukraine unites our peoples, let us pray together that the will of God may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
I pray that Israel enjoys freedom and independence, democracy, justice, and peace.
Respectfully,
Borys Gudziak
Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan-Archbishop of Philadelphia