Head of UGCC goes to Philadelphia, PA for official visit
On May 8-13, 2019, Patriarch Sviatoslav will be on an official visit to Philadelphia, PA. The purpose of the visit is to attend the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the United States "St Sofia" Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics which will take place on May 11 at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Jenkintown.
On April 21, 1974, St. Sophia Association was founded in the United States of America by His Beatitude Josyp Slipyj who personally selected and appointed all of the first members, and was led by Dr. Romana Navrotska. This was the second St Sofia Association after the parent body in Rome. Patriarch Joseph established it to support and build such patriarchal achievements as St Sophia Church in Rome, the Ukrainian Catholic University and its then two branches in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus with the Patriarchal Court and a museum – the Studion.
The main event of the celebration of St. Sophia Association's jubilee will be the feast to be held on Saturday at 18.00. During the banquet, the renewal of the activities of the Patriarchal Foundation will be officially announced. The Patriarchal Foundation was opened in 1977 on the occasion of the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the life and the 60th anniversary of His Beatitude Josyp's priesthood.
Within the framework of the visit of the Head of the UGCC to Philadelphia, on Thursday, May 9, at 7 pm, the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Philadelphia will host a presentation of his book Dialogue Heals Wounds. The presentation is organized by the Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics, St. Sophia, USA.
On Friday, May 10, His Beatitude Sviatoslav will meet with Ukrainian school graduates, and on Saturday he will visit this school and meet with its teachers and students.
On Sunday, May 12, the Head of the UGCC will take part in the General Meeting of the St Sofia Association. Last year, His Beatitude Svyatoslav was accepted as a full member of the SSA.
“The General Meeting is an opportunity for everyone to analyze the activities of the Association, share their thoughts about its future, listen to the reports of the chairman and members of the directorate. Such meetings provide an opportunity to "gather all those dispersed" people living in different parts of the United States. This year, the first participation of His Beatitude in the meetings will become another step towards closer cooperation between the SSA and the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC,” said Dr. Iryna Ivankovych, Chairman of the SSA, in a commentary to the UGCC Department of Information.
On Monday, May 13, the Head of the UGCC will complete his visit to Philadelphia.
