Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma recently awarded Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishop Isidore Borecky of Toronto and Archbishop Vsevolod Majdanski of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA orders “for services to Ukraine.” The news was announced on 11 on 12 December 2002.
92-year-old Bishop Isidore received his award from Yuri Scherbak, Ukrainian ambassador to Canada, in the Cathedral of the Mother of God in Toronto. According to the governmental press service, Bishop Isidore was awarded for his great personal contribution to the preservation of Ukraine’s spiritual heritage. Ambassador Scherbak said that Bishop Isidore, who dedicated his life to the spiritual restoration of the Ukrainian nation, witnessed the heroic and tragic history of Ukraine in the 20th century. In addition, Bishop Isidore is famous for his ecumenical activities. On numerous occasions, he has promoted financial and humanitarian help for Ukraine, particularly after the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear plant. The Gymnasium in Terebovlia of the western Ukrainian Ternopil region, which receives financial help from the bishop, is named after Bishop Isidore, also. Archbishop Vsevolod was awarded for his considerable contributions towards the harmonization of interreligious relations and vigorous charitable activity in Ukraine. As a representative of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Archbishop Vsevolod is greatly involved in the process of achieving accord between Orthodox jurisdictions in Ukraine. Sources: www.obozrevatel.com.ua and www.president.gov