Bishop Soter Ortynsky, OSBM, 1866-1916
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SOWER APRIIL 24,, 2016 TThhee UUkkrraaiinniiaann MMuusseeuumm aanndd LLiibbrraarryy ooff SSttaammffoorrdd BISHOP SOTER ORTYNSKY, OSBM, 1866-1916 by Lubow Wolynetz, Curator farm in Chesa- parishes were established along with church had to endure and suffer, peake, MD for or- choirs, evening heritage schools, cooperative then these achievements phan children, general stores, brotherhoods, etc. Father Volan- are truly worthy of aston- ages 2 to 6. sky was active and zealous, not only in eastern ishment. 5. He established PA, but also in NJ and elsewhere. In our Ukrainian Mu- the Greek Catholic After the departure of Father Volansky, from seum and Library we have School for cantors 1889 to 1907, there was an Apostolic Visitor, archival material which whose additional but no principal administrator for church mat- deals with Bishop Ortyn- duties were to or- ters; consequently, difficulties, obstacles, and sky’s life and work. ganize parish misunderstandings among the parishes, the Among them are various evening schools priests, and the faithful increased. The priests of publications, correspon- for the teaching of the Greek Catholic Church in America appealed dence, pastoral letters, de- Catechism, and several times to the Vatican to assign them a crees, and many Ukrainian history Bishop, all to no avail. Finally in 1907, through photographs. and culture. the efforts of Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky, The work of the first 6. In 1912 the the Vatican named Bishop Soter Ortynsky, Ukrainian priests and of Bishop organized OSBM to be the first Bishop for the Greek Bishop Ortynsky in the de- a Catholic Benefi- Catholic Church in America. velopment of the Ukrain- cial Association This year marks the 100th an- The work of Bishop Ortynsky was not ian Greek Catholic Church named Provydinnia (Providence) and the news- niversary of the death of Bishop Soter easy, because of the enmity and misunder- in America was difficult and extremely paper Ameryka became its official organ. Ortynsky, OSBM, the first Bishop for standings which existed among the Ukrainian complicated. Nevertheless, both priests, the 7. He made efforts to establish a seminary and a Ukrainian Greek Catholics in the United faithful and priests from Halychyna and the faithful, and especially Bishop Ortynsky, cultural center but his untimely death did not States of America. His nomination to this Carpatho-Ruthenian faithful, and their priests who were concerned with the permanent allow him to carry out these plans. Nonetheless, post in 1907 by the Vatican, was achieved did not abate. In addition the Russian Orthodox existence, endurance, and continuous de- his successor Metropolitan Constantine Bo- through the intervention and negotiations Church in America, generously financed by the velopment and well-being of our Church, of Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky. This tsarist govern- worked for these aims tirelessly, often was indeed a major achievement for the ment, did all it risking their own welfare. They laid a solid Ukrainian Catholic Church in America. could to entice foundation for our Church in America, In the late 19th century Ukrainians Galicians and the which we should accordingly and grate- came to America in adequate numbers and Carpatho-Ruthe- fully cherish, hold in high regard, and fol- formed themselves into communities. The nians to join the low their good example. They overcame Ukrainian community in Shenandoah, Pa Russian Ortho- numerous crises, difficult predicaments, sent a letter of appeal to Most Rev. dox Church. All sometimes hopeless situations, but did not Sylvester Sembratovych, Archbishop of this activity con- run away from them; on the contrary, they Lviv, requesting priests. In reply, the Arch- tinually stirred up did their best to overcome and to solve bishop assigned Father Ivan Volansky to discord, contro- problems which constantly came their the Ukrainian community in Shenandoah. versy, and chaos way. We inherited from them a rich legacy Father Volansky arrived in Shenandoah in among Ukrainian from which we and a few generations 1884 and soon established a parish there, immigrants. prior to us have benefitted. Are we willing the first Ukrainian Catholic parish in the Notwithstanding to act and work in the future even half as USA. these numerous much as they did? However, Father Volansky was a mar- difficulties, Our Ukrainian Museum and Library ried priest, and this was not acceptable to Bishop Ortynsky and other institutions which are still in ex- t h e worked tirelessly istence, religious or civic, are truly con- L a t i n for the good of cerned with the preservation of our hachevsky realized and fulfilled Bishop Ortyn- R i t e the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Amer- heritage, and we need you to become in- sky’s projects from 1924 onwards. clergy. ica, towards its administrative and organiza- terested in it as well. We need your concern 8. During World War I he was actively engaged Finally, tional systematization, and successful and your financial support. A small dona- in supplying aid for the victims of the War in Ha- as a re- development. Let us list just a few of his many tion from you will go a long way toward lychyna. He was especially concerned about the sult of achievements. helping us to achieve our noble goal. Don’t fate of orphans and widows, and delegated all numer- leave it to others! Begin with yourself! Al- pastors to collect funds for this purpose. By evok- o u s 1. In 1908 Bishop Ortynsky purchased a ways think about what legacy we shall ing patriotic feelings among his faithful, he c o m - Methodist Church in Philadelphia which later leave for our present and future genera- stressed the fact that it was their duty to help their plaints became the Cathedral of Immaculate Concep- tions! enslaved, victimized, and suffering Ukrainian a n d tion, the consecration of which was performed brethren. To this end he coined a slogan “Let us misun- by Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky in 1910. stand all as one in giving aid”. d e r - 2. In his efforts to develop parochial education, 9. From 1914 onwards he began publishing he organized in 1909 the Enlightenment Asso- Eparkhialni visti (Eparchial News). standings with the Latin Hierarchy, Father ciation (Prosvita) and donated a building for its 10. During the years 1907 to 1916 Volansky was recalled to Ukraine in 1889. headquarters. the Ukrainian Catholic Church in It is well to remember that in the five 3. From 1908 to 1914 he published a monthly America grew immensely – in years of his work with the Ukrainian im- magazine Dushpastyr (Pastor of Souls) dedi- parishes, priests, and parishioners. migrant community, Father Volansky ac- cated to religious, national, and social aspects. This is just a brief and superfi- complished much. Although he had to 4. In 1911 he established an orphanage and cial list of what Bishop Soter deal with internal problems, e.g., Ukrain- school, and purchased with his own funds the Ortynsky accomplished in the ian immigrants from Galicia and those required building. For the operation of these in- nine years from 1907 to 1916, as from Transcarpathia, still progress was stitutions he brought over from Halychyna the the Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek made. Father Volansky was instrumental Basilian Sisters. For the financial support of Catholic Church in America. If we in bringing over from Ukraine some these institutions the Bishop organized a church consider the multitude of obstacles Greek Catholic celibate priests to help him supply store, a bookstore, and a rug and carpet and impediments which he had to in his work. He organized the faithful into making shop. In addition to the orphanage in overcome, and the un-christian, a cohesive unit. Under his direction Philadelphia, Bishop Ortynsky purchased a unjust and hostile attacks which he EExxpplloorree aanndd EExxperrieencee Ouurr PPasstt.