sign in sign up
<<
Home , Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop, Bohdan Danylo, David Motiuk, Eparchy, Exarch

Interview with new Auxiliary +

TRAGEDY CONFRONTS OUR THOUGHTS AS TO THE VALUE OF LIFE

The recent tragic loss of life and well-being in Las Vegas and from the terrorism act in Edmonton, Canada, preceded by the loss of life and major hardships experienced as a result of hurricanes in the Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas have caused all of us to reflect on the preciousness of life. As we pray for the victims of these tragedies, we reflect on the gift of life each of us is given. One’s thoughts during prayers are filled with thanksgiving for the gift of life. We renew our personal resolve to value and cherish this precious gift of life shared with loved ones. Hopefully each of us will be motivated to give greater thought and commitment to efforts to value and protect life from the conception of life to natural death. Perhaps our best testimony to the innocent lives lost in the tragedies of recent weeks could be our own commitment to ensure respect for life from conception to natural death.

The gift of life is endangered by destructive forces of nature, and the manipulative and controlling hearts and minds of humanity. Innocent life is daily taken by those who advocate abortion and euthanasia. Our efforts are needed to support people in every stage of life. Can we do more to advocate and assist those who are mentally and physically handicapped? The weak and elderly also require our love and attention for their special needs.

Let’s cherish the gift of life given to us generously by God. Express our gratitude to Almighty God in our prayers and with thankful hearts. Our expressions of gratitude ought to lead us to active commitment to love and serve in whatever ways are presented to us in the journey of life. Each October we renew our commitment for RESPECT FOR LIFE! Celebrate the giftedness of life given to us by God.

By Metropolitan

Statement of Metropolitan- Stefan Soroka Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia on the Suffering and Hardships as a Result of Hurricane Harvey and its Aftermath

Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, together with Bishop and Bishop Andriy Rabiy, , religious and faithful, pray for those suffering as a result of the damage and flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, especially in Texas and Louisiana. Let us remember in our prayers those who died and their grieving families and community. Let us also remember those who suffered loss of their homes and earthly possessions as we ask Our Lord to give them His , wisdom and courage as they move forward with their lives and look forward to a new day filled with hope. Let us offer prayers of gratitude for the many first responders and the medical professionals who so quickly rendered life-saving help to rescue many of the victims, especially those from the flooded communities.

We pray that the victims may find comfort in the reassuring words of the Prophet Jeremiah:

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you . . . . plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. (Jer. 29:11).

Several years ago, a Domestic Disaster Recovery Fund was established by our Philadelphia Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy to aid victims recovering from such disasters as Hurricane Harvey. These disasters remind all of us of the fragile nature as we witness our neighbors suffering loss of life and material possessions. In times such as these, we are called to assist our neighbors in need. If you would like to make a for the humanitarian needs of the victims of Hurricane Harvey, please send your gift to the attention of this fund:

Domestic Disaster Recovery Fund c/o Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia 810 N. Franklin Street Philadelphia, Pa 19123

Income tax receipts will be issued. While such donations may be made at any time, they are especially needed following the occurrence of tragic events in the United States. We become instruments of His healing as we pray and assist others in their difficult times of need.

May God bless you for your prayers and financial generosity for the needs of our neighbors at this time.

Live-streaming of Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-Elect Andriy Rabiy

Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-Elect Andriy Rabiy will be livestreamed over the Internet live from St. George’s in () on Sunday, September 3, at 4AM EST or 11AM time. Date of Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-Elect Andriy Rabiy Announced

Newly nominated Andriy Rabiy

Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia is pleased to announce that our newly nominated Auxiliary Bishop Andriy Rabiy will be ordained by His Beatitude during the Opening Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the of to take place on Sunday, September 3rd, 2017 in St. George Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Lviv, Ukraine at 11 a.m. Co- will be Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan of Philadelphia and Bishop , Eparch of Edmonton .

Our generously responded to the suggestion to conduct the episcopal ordination in the city and country of the Bishop-Elect’s native birth, where his parents, and family reside. It highlights his being rooted strongly in the cultures and traditions of both Ukraine and USA., a special gift for our Ukrainian Catholic . The newly ordained Bishop Andriy will then participate in his first meeting of the Synod of Bishops.

The newly ordained Bishop Andriy Rabiy will be formally welcomed in the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia of Philadelphia with his celebrating a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the in Philadelphia on Sunday, September 24th, 2017 at 3 p.m., followed by a Formal Reception in the Cathedral Hall.

Please pray for our Bishop-Elect Andriy as God’s Grace enables him to fulfill his episcopal ministry. Archeparchy of Philadelphia Welcomes Father Andriy Rabiy as new Auxiliary Bishop

Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka and Auxiliary Bishop John Bura, together with the clergy, religious and faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia joyfully welcome the Holy Father’s appointment of Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy, a priest of our archeparchy, as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. He has been assigned the Tutular See of Germaniciana. Francis concurred with the recommendation of the appointment offered by the Synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops.

Very Andriy Rabiy has studied for the priesthood at our St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary, receiving his philosophical and theological studies at The Catholic University of America and the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood within our archeparchy and has served with enthusiasm and dedication at a number of assignments. Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy returned to The Catholic University of America for advanced studies in law and has served in our Archieparchial Marriage Tribunal. His care and concern for the souls of faithful living in locations not close to existing resulted in his beginning a successful new mission parish in Lancaster, PA, St. Andrew the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission Parish. Recently, he successfully transferred the location of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary Church from a downtown location to a more suitable suburb location offering a full range of facilities for the parish. Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy serves as and Vice- of our Archeparchy, in addition to his ministry at his parishes.

Our Archeparchy and our Ukrainian will be well served by the vibrant and dedicated ministry demonstrated by our newly nominated candidate to the episcopacy. We congratulate him. We commit ourselves to support him with our prayers, words of encouragement, and joyful sharing in his episcopal ministry.

God bless Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy richly in ways only He can as he undertakes his new ministry as a bishop of the Church. Our heartfelt welcome and ‘Mnohaya Lita’!

Biography

On Tuesday, August 8th, 2017, , appointed Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy as Auxiliary Bishop for the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy currently serves as Vicar General and as Vice-Chancellor for the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy, and as a of the Lehigh-Schuylkill , PA. He is also a member of the College of , the Archieparchial Finance Advisory Council, the Presbyteral Council, the Archieparchial Administrative Council and Administrative Board at the Pennsylvania Conference of Bishops.

Very Rev. Andriy Rabiy was born on October 1, 1975, in the city of Lviv, Ukraine. His parents, Anton and Iryna Rabiy reside in Zymna Voda, Lviv of Ukraine. He has one younger brother, Vitaliy, who is married with Iryna. They have two children, Andrian and Yuliana, and reside in Ukraine.

Very Rev. Andriy graduated from Zymna Voda High School #1 in 1992. In the fall of 1992 he entered Ivano-Frankivsk Seminary where he studied philosophy for two years. In August of 1994 he moved to the United States to continue his studies at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary while attending classes at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. Following completion of a one year program studying English at the Metropolitan College of the Catholic University, he was enrolled in the School of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the same university. In May of 1999 he graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Philosophy.

In September of 1999 Fr. Andriy continued his theological studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington DC. He completed a four year program within three years and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree “cum laude” in May of 2002.

Fr. Andriy was ordained as a in May of 1998, and as a in November of 1999 by Most Rev. Archbishop , He received his Presbyteral Orders from Most Rev. Archbishop Stefan Soroka in December of 2001 in the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia.

Upon completion of his theological studies, he was appointed as an administrator of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in New Brunswick (2002-2003; 2004-2005) and St. Michael the Archangel church in Hillsborough NJ (2002-2005), and for a brief time as administrator of Immaculate Conception Church in Hillside NJ (2003-2004).

In the fall of 2005, Very Rev. Andriy returned to the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC for studies in . In 2008, he graduated with a Licentiate in Canon Law, having completed his dissertation on the patriarchal tribunal in the Eastern Church.

Since 2008, he has served as of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Reading, PA, where he successfully relocated the parish. He also serves St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Lancaster, PA, a newly formed mission parish which he began in February 2013.

JULY 30TH: ANNUAL SEMINARY UKRAINIAN DAY AT MINERSVILLE, PA

Congratulations Metropolitan Stefan on your 35th Anniversary of Priesthood! Cardinal dies aged 84

January 26, 2001 – February 10, 2011 he served as a of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Born in Lviv, Ukraine, on February 26, 1933, Lubomyr Husar fled from Ukraine with his parents in 1944, ahead of the advancing Soviet army. He spent the early post-World War II years among Ukrainian refugees in a displaced persons camp near Salzburg, Austria. In 1949, he emigrated with his family to the United States of America. From 1950 to 1954, he studied at St. Basil’s College (Ukrainian) Seminary in Stamford, Connecticut. He continued his studies at Catholic University of America in Washington DC, and at Fordham University in New York. He was ordained a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest of the Eparchy of Stamford on March 30, 1958. From 1958 to 1969 Fr. Husar taught at St. Basil’s College Seminary, and also between 1966 and 1969 was the pastor of Holy Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish in Kerhonkson, New York. In 1969, Fr. Lubomyr went to Rome, where he earned a doctorate in Dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Urbanian University in 1972.

During his stay in Rome he joined the Ukrainian Studite monastic community at the Studion Monastery not far from Castelgandolfo, , and was elected hegumen () of the monastery in 1974. He was consecrated a bishop in 1977 in the Studion monastery chapel in Castelgandolfo by Patriarch Josyf Cardinal Slipyj. He was named () of the Studite in Europe and North America in 1978. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, he returned to his native country and served as spiritual director of the newly re-established Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv.

In 1994, he established a new Studite monastery near Ternopil, Ukraine. The Synod of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishops elected him of the Archiepiscopal Exarchy of Kyiv-Vyshhorod in 1995. In 1996, the Synod elected him as auxiliary bishop with special administrative delegated authority to His Beatitude Myroslav Ivan Cardinal Lubachivsky, Major Archbishop of Lviv. Upon the death of Cardinal Lubachivsky on December 14, 2000, Pope John II named Bishop Husar apostolic administrator of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Lviv. In January of 2001, the Synod elected him Major Archbishop of the Church and Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The following month, he was named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II. In 2001, Cardinal Husar along with the Catholic bishops, clergy and faithful of Ukraine welcomed Pope John Paul II on his first visit to a former Soviet Republic. His Beatitude also became the first Chancellor of the newly established Ukrainian Greek Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine. Under his leadership in August 21, 2005, the major archiepiscopal see of Kyiv-Halych was officially transferred to Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine. On 10 February 2011 Pope Benedict XVI announced that he has accepted the resignation of His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal Husar, father and head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and major archbishop of Kyiv-Halych in accordance with 126 § 2 of the Code of Canons of the Oriental Churches. Cardinal Husar remained active in ecclesial and social life of Ukraine. Memory Eternal!

Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada and USA Meet in Glen Cove, NY

UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF CANADA AND USA MEET IN GLEN COVE, NY

Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka

The Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada and USA held their annual meeting from May 2nd thru May 4th, 2017 in the Library Building of the Ukrainian Catholic Basilian Fathers at St. Josaphat Monastery located in Glen Cove, NY. A very comfortable and prayerful environment was generously provided through the hospitality of Very Rev. Basilio Salkovski, OSBM, of the Basilian Fathers of St. Josaphat, OSBM.

Participants in the meeting were Most Rev. Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan for USA and Archbishop of Philadelphia, Most Rev. , OSBM, Metropolitan for Canada and Archbishop of Winnipeg, Most Rev. , OSBM, Bishop of the Eparchy of Stamford, Bishop David Motiuk, Bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton, Most Rev. Ken Nowakowski, Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster, Most Rev. , CSsR., Bishop of the Eparchy of Saskatoon, Most Rev. , Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Bishop John Bura, Auxiliary Bishop for the Philadelphia Archeparchy and Bishop Emeritus Basil Losten of the Eparchy of Stamford.

The Canadian hierarchs shared their experience of their ‘ad limina’ visit made with the Catholic Bishops of Western Canada to the Holy Father. Topics to be considered at the upcoming Synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Church were discussed, as were the consideration of themes for an upcoming Sobor of our Church to be held in 2020. The ongoing implementation of the Vibrant Parish initiative in our was discussed, as were the preparations for the upcoming visit by the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission to Canada and USA. The provisions of the Particular Law of our Church were reviewed as were proposed statutes for the Winnipeg and Philadelphia Metropolias. The Bishops discussed the use of social media and explored ways to combine our efforts in various social media initiatives in eparchies. A committee was formed to develop a core marriage preparation program for implementation in all of our eparchies via social media. A North American Liturgical Commission was formed to advise the Bishops in the ongoing developments in Liturgy. Clergy formation and the state of in our eparchies were also reviewed among other topics of common concern.

A half day visit to the recently opened National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City and to St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church were included during the meeting days. The annual meeting of the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of USA and Canada facilitates close fraternal sharing and the development of initiatives of common concern. There is much wisdom in journeying together as the Bishops endeavor to meet the ever changing needs in pastoral ministry in our Ukrainian Catholic Church.