BIOGRAPHY OF FR. BORYS GUDZIAK
In the final stages of his doctoral work, in 1991, he was looking for “the next big topic to study.” He had visited Ukraine a number of times and in 1992, he moved to newly independent Ukraine. He received a postdoctoral research grant and delved into the history of the underground Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
“We have a unique opportunity to preserve something that is of universal importance,” he said about his work. He then modestly created the Institute of Church History. A desk in a small room attached to the Studite Fathers’ Church of St. Michael in Lviv and a 31-year-old director did not fit the locals’ idea of Biography of a research institute. Soon after, Dr. Gudziak saw the possibility of fulfilling another one of his dreams: the revival of the Lviv Fr. BORYS GUDZIAK, Ph.D. Theological Academy. Patriarch Slipyj had been the first rector of The Rev. Borys Gudziak, Ph.D., He was an enthusiastic member the Academy which was closed by the rector of the Ukrainian of Plast, the Ukrainian scouting the Soviets in 1944. In 1963, after Catholic University in Lviv, is a organization, and as a child being released from 18 years of leading intellectual and historian dreamed of becoming a professional captivity in the GULAG, Patriarch in post- Soviet Ukraine who has basketball player. However, by the Josyf founded the Ukrainian been recognized for his scholarly time he finished high school at the Catholic University in Rome. He achievements and pastoral Christian Brothers Academy in his passed his vision onto his students, inspiration. Through his words hometown, he was committed to among them Borys Gudziak. Thus and deeds, he has helped make the entering the priesthood. in 1993, Dr. Gudziak became the Ukrainian Catholic University a head of the Commission for the prominent educational institution He earned a bachelor’s degree which teaches democratic principles in philosophy and biology from and preaches ethics and morality to Syracuse University in 1980 and then the future leaders of Ukraine while studied theology in Rome, in the exploring the broader theme of the circle of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj. He place of Christian spirituality in a received a degree in theology from post-modern world. Urbaniana University in 1983 and then returned to America to pursue Borys Gudziak was born on a doctorate in Slavic and Byzantine November 24, 1960 in Syracuse, Cultural History at Harvard New York, the son of immigrants University, which he successfully from Ukraine, the late Dr. defended in 1992. Alexander Gudziak and Jaroslawa.
20 Commemorative Book 2010 BIOGRAPHY OF FR. BORYS GUDZIAK
Revival of the Lviv Theological justice prevail in December 2004. has a working knowledge of Latin Academy. In 1994, the Academy was He called this time a living history and Greek. Father Gudziak is the reestablished as a cornerstone of the lesson in democracy-building for his author of a number of scholarly Ukrainian Catholic University and students and citizens of Ukraine. works, among them his doctoral Dr. Gudziak served as vice rector dissertation Crisis and Reform: for academic affairs from 1995-2000. In May of this year, he was visited The Kyivan Metropolitanate, the He received a licentiate degree in by the Security Services of Ukraine Patriarchate of Constantinople, Eastern theology from the Pontifical (SBU) which instructed him to pre and the Genesis of the Union of Oriental Institute in Rome in 1995. vent his students from protesting Brest(1998), as well as articles in actions of the current government. European and American academic Father Borys was ordained to the He refused, maintaining that journals. He has penned articles in priesthood in 1998 and has served as “speaking and writing openly about popular magazines, newspapers, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic Uni these issues is the most peaceful and commentary on political, cultural versity from 2000 to the present day. effective manner of counteracting and religious affairs, position efforts to secretly control and papers on academic curricula, Father Borys joined his students on intimidate students and citizens.” and introductions to scholarly Independence Square in Kyiv during publications. the Orange Revolution, providing He is fluent in the English, guidance and support, as Ukrainians Ukrainian, Italian, Polish, German, weathered the cold to see truth and French and Russian languages and
Commemorative Book 2010 21