The Providence Association welcomes Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Borys Gudziak of the Paris-based Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great, to be the seventh metropolitan-archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.

Archbishop Gudziak, 58, is a native of Syracuse, New York, and was ordained a bishop in France on Aug. 26, 2012.

Born Nov. 24, 1960, Archbishop Gudziak graduated from Syracuse University in 1980, with a duel bachelor’s degree in philosophy and biology. He moved to Rome to study at Holy Sofia College and the Pontifical Urban University, earning a degree in theology in 1983. Then, he studied at Harvard University from 1983 to 1992 and earned a doctorate in Slavic and Byzantine cultural history.

He moved to Ukraine, founded the Institute of Church History. During this time, he coordinated a history project to collect the stories of survivors of communist repression of the church, and maintained their faith.

Priesthood

Archbishop Gudziak was ordained to the priesthood in 1998. He was named vice rector and then rector of the Lviv Theological Academy in Ukraine in 2000. The academy grew into the Ukrainian Catholic University in 2002.

Archbishop Gudziak is the author of over 50 studies on the history of the church, theological training, and on various topics of cultural relevance. In May 2018, he received an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree during the 164th commencement of Syracuse University.

“The Lord has led me to serve in different countries. I’ve accepted this nomination in freedom and peace. Wholeheartedly I would like to serve my brothers in episcopal ministry, clergy, religious, and faithful of Philadelphia Metropolia. To start a new life at 58 is a huge gift from God and a sacred privilege. I wish to lead the metropolia and archeparchy first of all by listening. This is the land where I was born and baptised, where my parents died and were buried. However, for the last 30 years I lived and served in Europe. Many things have changed, there are numerous challenges both in the Church and society, but I believe that the Lord, who called me to this new service, will lead me and the people entrusted to my care. Primarily, I wish to be their brother, father, and pastor”, commented Bishop Borys. (quoted from RISU.org)

The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia includes the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and parts of eastern Pennsylvania. It has a total Catholic population of about 15,000.

“At the beginning I seek to listen and learn, to become brother, father, and pastor for the clergy and faithful,… It is important to pray and think things through, to develop a future vision for the Archeparchy of Philadelphia and to work closely with the other eparchies of the metropolia, as well the Eastern Catholic, Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops and their clergy and faithful.” Archbishop Gudziak said about his appointment.

Enthronement

The enthronement of new metropolitan and archbishop will be held in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia on June 4, 2019. According to the information department of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, eight days of prayer, missionary services and celebrations will be held under the slogan “From Heart to Heart”. These events will involve all the clergy, monastics and laymen, and especially young people. Everyone is invited. Not only from the Philadelphia Archeparchy, but from all dioceses in the United States, and globally.

The Providence Association is happy to welcome you home. We wish you God’s Blessings and success in this very important role.