Interview with Archbishop Gudziak

To lead by listening to the Lord and my brothers and sisters

Interview with Bishop Borys Gudziak

On February 18, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis, accepting the recommendation of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), has appointed Bishop Borys Gudziak as Metropolitan and Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. For the previous six years Bishop Borys was eparch of the Eparchy of St. Volodymyr in Paris, serving the Ukrainian Greek Catholic faithful in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. We asked him to describe his reactions to the nomination, summarize the years of his service in the Paris Eparchy, and articulate his hopes and dreams for a new mission in the land of his birth.

What was your reaction to the decision of the Synod and of the Holy Father nominating you to the Philadelphia Archeparchy?

Allow me to be open with you. The nomination—and everything that it entails—provokes deep thoughts and sentiments. The first is gratitude and first to God.

As I —hopefully—mature as a human being I am increasingly drawn by the mystery of our God in Three Persons. This may be daring—but I want to be in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit… My central belief is that the Son came into this breathtaking yet often frail human race to be with me and you, even in death, to bring us home to the Father. The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus and our salvation in Christ for me are ever more awesome and inspiring… The guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit give me more hope and joy. I feel the protection of the Mother of God and solidarity of the communion of saints, especially the martyrs. Life in the Lord, who served and suffered, invites me to suffer with and serve gladly those to whom I am called. My desire to give myself fully to God and share His love and friendship with others overflows!

I am grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav and to the Synod for their confidence and blessing. I am at peace. As a Christian and priest, I try to accept God’s will as expressed by the Church, in this case neither seeking nor resisting this nomination.

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Borys Gudziak as new Metropolitan-Archbishop of Philadelphia

Pope Francis Appoints Most Rev. Borys Gudziak as new Metropolitan-Archbishop of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia

On Monday, February 18th, 2019, the Vatican Information Service announced that the Holy Father has appointed Most Rev. Borys Gudziak as Archbishop of Philadelphia for Ukrainians and Metropolitan for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in USA and thus concurring with the recommendation of the appointment offered by the Synod of Ukrainian Catholic Bishops, which met in September of 2018 in Lviv, Ukraine.

The Archeparchy of Philadelphia was declared by Pope Francis as “sede vacante” following the resignation of Most Rev. Stefan Soroka on April 16, 2018. Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy was named by Pope Francis as the Apostolic Administrator of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia until the appointment of the new Metropolitan-Archbishop.

At the present time Most Rev. Borys Gudziak serves as the eparch of St. Volodymyr the Great Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy, which includes France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Switzerland. He is the founder and president of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine. In addition, Archbishop Borys is the head of Department of External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Bishop Andriy Rabiy, Apostolic Administrator, Bishop John Bura, Auxiliary Bishop, clergy, monastic orders and faithful of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia wholeheartedly and joyfully welcome the news and invite everyone to the installation of Most Rev. Borys Gudziak as the seventh Metropolitan-Archbishop for the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, which will take place on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, PA.

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Patristic approach [the Church Fathers]  to the imagery in the story of the return of the Prodigal Son, St. Cyril of Alexandria reminds us that Christ delivered this parable ‘immediately after the Pharisees and scribes murmured against Him, saying, “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.”’ Seeking to enlighten His detractors, the Lord spoke of a younger, prodigal son, who represented the sinners and publicans, and of an elder, faithful son, who represented the scribes and Pharisees. This, says St. Cyril, is the key to understanding the Prodigal son. …[T]he younger son, like the publican, through humility and repentance washed away his vices, while the elder son, like the Pharisee, through pride and judgmentalism sullied his virtues. (See Hierodeacon [now Hieromonk] Gregory, Orthodox Tradition, XII, 2, p. 74.)

Let us, as the Great Lent and the Sunday of the Prodigal Son approach this year, look anew at this parable and draw hope from the wayward son. At the same time, let us examine ourselves carefully in the light of the weaknesses of the elder son, lest we succumb to the wily temptations of self-righteousness, which can lead to passions and to spiritual waywardness produced by pride, if not by envy and undiscovered hidden darkness.

Archbishop Chrysostomos
Orthodox Tradition, Vol. XXIII, Number 1 (2006), pp. 33-35

Iryna Friz to visit New Haven

Luncheon-Fundraiser honoring  Iryna Friz
Ukraine’s  Minister of Veterans Affairs

Ukrainian American Veterans Posts 33, 14 of Connecticut and St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Haven invite everyone to a luncheon/ fundraiser honoring Iryna Friz, Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs to be held on Sunday, March 3, 2019 in St. Michael’s church hall. Minister Friz will arrive in Connecticut on Saturday, March 2nd to visit the Veterans Hospital in West Haven, the New Haven VETS Center in Orange,  and the CT Veterans Home in Rocky Hill. She returns to Ukraine on Monday, March 4th.

On Sunday March 3rd, there will be only one (1) Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:30 a.m. The luncheon/fundraiser will begin at 12:00 p.m. in  St. Michael’s church hall, 569 George Street, New Haven. In addition to lunch, a brief concert will be presented. Brief remarks by Minister Friz will follow.

There will be an update on the Wounded Ukrainian Soldiers Project and on the veterans’ recent trip to Ukraine. All proceeds will be used to benefit Ukraine’s wounded soldiers and veterans. Tickets are $25.00 per person. Admission for youth under 18 is free.

We invite everyone to this special event. We ask for your support for Ukraine’s wounded heroes.

For information and tickets please contact Post 33 Commander Carl R. Harvey by calling 203-389-6076; e-mail: carlrharvey79@gmail.com or Myron Melnyk 203-397-2087; email: mmelnyk@yahoo.com

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

For Byzantine Catholics, Sunday Feb. 10 is the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, which is the first of then “pre-Lenten Sundays.”

The journey of the feast of lights was a journey to specific holy places. It is a journey which we now make in spirit, in order to find the light of Christ. Soon after this journey, we begin another journey, going with our Lord to Jerusalem, as he foretold in the Gospel of St. Luke: “When the days for his being taken up (which John calls his glorification) were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.” During the Great Fast, then, we make another journey that ends in the holy city of Jerusalem, as Jesus said, “Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem” (Luke 13:33). But his death is his glorification, “by death he tramples death,” and it is the way to resurrection, to a resurrection promised to all. Our journey likewise ends in life (resurrection) and in light, as the Gospel of Paschal Sunday, the Day of Resurrection says, “ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

The journey to light in the Christmas – Theophany – Encounter cycle ends in the temple, where the incarnate temple of God enters into the holy Temple, and there is proclaimed to the world by Simeon and Anna, who witness to his glory. The journey of the Great Fast then begins in the Temple, and two men go there to pray. One witnesses to pride and self-righteousness, the other to humility and repentance. The whole of the Great Fast is for us to make our choice on which to imitate. To be a Christian means to hear our Lord’s warning, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever exalts himself will be exalted.” This is the central meaning of the Great Fast, as our Lord invites us, “Come and see.”

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Divine Liturgy for the coming week

Glory to Jesus Christ

Sunday, 2/10, Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee —The Holy Martyr Charalampias
9:00 a.m. +Wasyl Jurecko requested by Stefania Sadiwsky
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:10-15
Gospel: Luke 18:10-14, Tone 3

Monday, 2/11, The Holy Priest-Martyr Blaise
9:00 a.m. +Enrico Gustave Behenchia, Sr. requested by Jane

Tuesday, 2/12, Our Holy Father Meletius

Wednesday, 2/13, Our Venerable Father Martinian
9:00 a.m. +Bohdana Tretiakova, BohdanMyrosh, Mark Barabash requested by the Chermak Family

Thursday, 2/14, The Repose of Our Venerable Father Constantine the Philosopher, in the Monastic Life, Cyril, Teacher of the Slavs
9:00 a.m. +Anna Lipcan (10th Anniv., Pan.,) requested by Barbara and Patrick Bagley

Friday, 2/15, The Holy Apostle Onesimus

Saturday, 2/16, The Holy Martyrs Pamphilius the Priest
9:00 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Mariangeles Burger requested by John Burger

Sunday, 2/17, Sunday of the Prodigal Son —The Holy and Great-Martyr Theodore the Recruit
9:00 a.m. +Gregory Dubno requested by the Family
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 6 :12-20
Gospel: Luke 15:11-32, Tone 4

Parish announcements this week

Christ is in our midst!

WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS! New parishioners are always welcomed in our parish. If someone wants to register with our parish please contact Father Iura Godenciuc at (203) 865-0388 or our financial secretary Natalia Chermak.

VIGIL LIGHT: This week vigil light is offered to God’s greater glory by Barbara and Patrick Bagley in memory of Anna Lipcan.

PARISH COFFEE HOUR: Dear parishioners and guests, after each Divine Liturgy, coffee and hard rolls are available in the church hall.

UKRAINIAN AMERICAN VETERANS: The next meeting of the UAV Post 33 will be held today February 10. The meeting will be held in Classroom 2.

There will be ALTAR BOY CONVENTION from February 15 to February 17, at St. Basil Seminary in Stamford, CT. Young men, grades 6-12 are invited to attend. For more information contact rectory office at (203) 865-0388.

Loaves and Fishes: Our parish is joining with other local New Haven churches to provide charitable assistance to those less fortunate persons in our community. During the next week, we are continuing our request for donations of winter clothing (especially men’s clothing) which will be donated to Loaves and Fishes, a New Haven nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is to “share God’s love by providing food, clothing, and community to our neighbors in a safe and welcoming space”. If you can spare any new or gently used winter clothing, please drop your donations off in the church hall by February 17th. Thank you.

Luncheon-Fundraiser honoring Iryna Friz, Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs Everyone is invited to a luncheon/ fundraiser to be held on Sunday, March 3, organized by Ukrainian American Veterans of Post 33 and 14 and St Michael’s Parish for Iryna Friz, Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs. Minister Friz will arrive in Connecticut on Saturday, March 2nd to visit the Veterans Hospital in West Haven, the New Haven VETS Center in Orange, and the CT Veterans Home in Rocky Hill. She returns to Ukraine on Monday, March 4th.

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Liturgy for the Encounter February 2

Tomorrow, February 2, is the feast of the Encounter of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Divine Liturgy with the Blessing of Candles will be offered at 9:00 a.m. in both English and Ukrainian. This day is a holy day of Love.

The intention for the Liturgy will be for Vira Walnycky –40 days.

The Byzantine Church views the feast Christologically and calls it The Meeting of Our Lord, commemorating the first time Jesus meets His people publicly in the Temple.

The Encounter of the Lord is one of the most ancient Christian feasts –in the Early Church it was celebrated like Pascha, and it was often called the “Crown of Theophany.”

Beginning the Celebration of the Feast of the Encounter

“The Lord said to Moses on that day he brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt. He said: Consecrate to me every firstborn; whatever opens the womb among the Israelites” (Exodus 12:51). In this feast, the last of the Christmas cycle, the Feast of Light, Mary and Joseph bring the child Jesus to the temple to fulfill this commandment. 

The Irmos of Ode 9 of this feast expresses this in song, “O faithful, let us recognize the figure of Christ foreshadowed in the letter of the Law which says: Every male child who opens the womb is sanctified to God. Therefore, the first born Word and Son of the Father without beginning, the first-born of a mother who had not known man: him, let us extol.” This is a beautiful perfection of God’s law for our salvation. “For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first-fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23). 

The Anaphora of St. Basil, that we will say all during the Great Fast, proclaims: “Since Corruption could not keep the Author of Life in its clutches, he became the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep, the first-born of the dead, that in all things he might have pre-eminence over all” (Quoting Acts 3:15; 1 Corinthians 15:20 and Colossians 1:18). This is a wondrous conclusion to our Feast of Light, for on Christmas we sang, “O Christ, what shall we offer you for your coming on earth in our humanity for our sake? Every creature that has its being from you gives thanks to you: the angels offer hymns of praise, the heavens give a star; the Magi present their gifts and the shepherds, their wonder; the earth provides a cave and the desert, a manger. As for us, we offer a virgin mother.” 

Today, however, we offer to God his and the human race’s first-born Son. This feast tells us that we should always offer to God the first-fruits, our very best, for Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, and God gives us all that we are or that we have.

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