On September 21, in Washington, DC as part of the visit of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the USA, an award ceremony was held to honor individuals for "significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, support of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and popularization of the Ukrainian state in the world." The Metropolitan of Philadelphia, Borys Gudziak, received the award of the President of Ukraine - the Cross of Ivan Mazepa.
During the award ceremony, which took place in the US National Archives, the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, noted “I have the honor of knowing Archbishop Borys Gudziak personally. He is known to thousands of Ukrainians – soldiers, displaced persons, and many others whom he helps, and young people who thanks to him get a great education”.
Ukraine is defending values – such as a right to life and personality, said Olena Zelenska. “These are not only physical things but also intangible values. The defenders of Ukraine are very different people – of different views, beliefs, or not religious at all. But they all clearly feel they are fighting against evil, against the worst that might be born within a human - a conscious effort to kill, destroy, grab, and enslave. Therefore, it is also a spiritual battle. Sincere gratitude to everyone who fights together with us in the spiritual dimension and dimension of values."
The Cross of Ivan Mazepa is an award of the President of Ukraine, established to honor citizens for a significant contribution to the revival of the national cultural-artistic, spiritual, architectural, military-historical heritage, merits in state-building, diplomatic, humanistic, scientific, educational, and charitable activities.