Yesterday, on September 15, after a short illness, Bishop Emeritus of the UGCC Vasyl Losten died at the age of 95.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that tonight, at about two o'clock, on September 15, 2024, after a short illness, Bishop Vasyl Losten passed away in a hospital in Stamford,” the Stamford Diocese of the UGCC reported.
All the details of the funeral services will be announced later. May he rest in peace!”
Reference: Vasyl Harry Losten was born on May 11, 1930, in Chesapeake City, Maryland, USA, to the Christian family of Ivan Losten and Julia, from the Petryshyn family. The family had seven other children.
Received his elementary education at the Parish School of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Elkton, Maryland, USA; completed his secondary education at the Preparatory School of St. Basil the Great Seminary in Stamford, Connecticut, USA; received his higher education at St. Basil the Great Seminary in Stamford (Bachelor of Philosophy) and at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (Licentiate of Theology).
Vasyl Losten was ordained a priest by Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky in Philadelphia on June 10, 1957; served as a priest from 1962 to 1971, when he was personal secretary to Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn of Philadelphia. Later was appointed archdiocesan economist.
On May 25, 1971, he was ordained a bishop at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Philadelphia. Archbishop Ambrose Senyshyn of Philadelphia became the main ordinator, and Bishop Jaroslav Gabro of Chicago and Bishop Michael Joseph Dudyk were his co-ordinators. Vasyl Losten was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archeparchy of the UGCC in Philadelphia and titular bishop of Arcadiopolis of Asia. From June 8, 1976, to December 1977, he served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Metropolitanate of Philadelphia. On September 20, 1977, he was appointed diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Stamford.
Since 1992, had been an active member of the Kyiv Study Group on Ecumenism. Since 1995, had been a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Member of the United States Conference of Bishops.
In accordance with Canon 210 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, upon reaching a certain age, Vasyl Losten submitted his resignation to the Holy Father Benedict XVI, Pope, which was accepted on January 3, 2006.
With the financial assistance of Bishop Vasyl Losten and on the occasion of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine, the Chapel of St. Princess Olha was opened in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
On August 21, 2007, President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko awarded Bishop Vasyl Losten the Order of Merit III degree “for his significant personal contribution to strengthening the authority of Ukraine in the world, popularizing its historical and modern achievements, and on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.”