Vicariate UOC - KP

Bishop of Philadelphia visited the City Hall and City Council of Philadelphia.

https://www.uockpusa.org/post/bishop-of-philadelphia-visited-the-city-hall-and-city-council-of-philadelphia

‘We hurt.’ Two Ukrainian refugees say they are grateful to be safe in a Philly church rectory.

‘We hurt.’ Two Ukrainian refugees say they are grateful to be safe in a Philly church rectory. We quote the post that is published on the website of The Philadelphia Inquirer The women left their homes in the capital of Kyiv as bombs fell, making their way to Lviv in the west, and later Warsaw, where they lived in a McDonald's. Two shaken and exhausted Ukrainian war refugees awoke to new live...

Parishes from Australia and New Zealand have joined the Kyiv Patriarchate

Parishes from Australia and New Zealand have joined the Kyiv Patriarchate By the Decree of His Holiness Patriarch Philaret of Kyiv and All Russia-Ukraine of March 22, 2022, Archimandrite Nectarios (Alexandratos), Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand, together with parishes and clergy, was admitted to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarc...

Today, the chaplain Father Platon was killed by the army of the Russian Federation near the town of Volnovakha in the eastern part of Ukraine.

Chaplain Olexander about chaplain Platon, who was killed by the army of the Russian Federation: "Always be there! Countryman, from Donbas.
Bright man, chaplain, priest.
His flock, for which he was responsible to God, were the troops. A good shepherd must always be with his own, both in joy and in sorrow, always be near .... and he did not leave his own, was near ... to the last ...
You, Father Platon, are now with your dear friend, Father Hieromonk Peter, who departed to the Lord much earlier but has always been alive in your / our memory ...
We now have sorrow and grief ... it is always painful to lose those whom you know, respect, love ...
With a bright memory, we will continue our earthly life and always pray for you, so that at some point in our existence we will be with you among the celestials ....
You pray there for us ...
Kingdom of Heaven, rest in peace ..."

Prayers for suffering Ukraine

Today, March 13, the first Sunday During Lent, the parish of St. Nicholas Cathedral, together with all the faithful of the Vicariate of the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate in the United States and Canada, offered sincere prayers for the suffering Ukraine, which is bleeding from the martyrs of the 21st century. Honorary Consul в Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Philadelphia Iryna Mazur prayed with us today.

During the service, we received information about another brutal terrorist act of the Russian occupiers in the Lviv region, where the bombing by occupation ships from the Black Sea killed 35 people and injured 134 others.

Prayers for the suffering Ukraine Today, March 13, the first Sunday During Lent, the parish of St. Nicholas Cathedral, together with all the faithful of the Vicariate of the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate in the United States and Canada, offered sincere prayers for the suffering Ukraine, which is bleeding from the martyrs of the 21st century...

Vicariate will provide shelter and all necessary assistance to Ukrainians

According to the latest UN figures, more than 1.7 million civilians have fled Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.

In this regard, the Vicariate of the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate in the United States and Canada, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Kyiv and All Russia-Ukraine Philaret, announces its readiness to (social, medical, legal) arriving in the United States .

Vicariate will provide shelter and all necessary assistance to Ukrainians According to the latest UN figures, more than 1.7 million civilians have fled Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. In this regard, the Vicariate of the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate in the United States and Canada, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Kyiv and All Russia-Ukraine Philaret, announce...

These days we are struggling to bring victory to Ukraine.

These days we are struggling to bring victory to Ukraine. In this struggle, our leader is the Lord Himself. And although the powerful of this world do not want to cover the sky to protect Ukraine from Russian missiles, the Lord is the one who covers the sky. He leads us to victory over the criminal invader. The Lord is helping us to overcome modern-day Goliath, Russia.

These days we are struggling to bring victory to Ukraine. These days we are struggling to bring victory to Ukraine. In this struggle, our leader is the Lord Himself. And although the powerful of this world do not want to cover the sky to protect Ukraine from Russian missiles, the Lord is the one who covers the sky. He leads us to victory over the criminal....

Moleben to St. Nicholas for the health, safety and welfare of the Ukrainian people

On Sunday, February 27, 2022, Vicar Bishop Luke of Philadelphia and the St. Nicholas Cathedral congregation prayed a Moleben to St. Nicholas for the health, safety and welfare of the Ukrainian people.

Vicar Bishop Luke is raising funds to help Ukraine! All monies received will be used for food, clothes, amenities and medical supplies for the Ukrainian people.

Please DONATE NOW by clicking here https://www.uockpusa.org/donate

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY. GOD BLESS YOU!

Young people came to rallies with prayer anti-war posters, in embroidered shirts, and with Ukrainian

Despite the fact that we spent the whole night preparing for today's action, writing posters in support of Ukraine calling on Putin to leave, today we are cheerful and want to show support for our Youth Organizations of the Kyiv Patriarchate Vicariate in the United States to all people in Ukraine, especially our peers. Watching them fight for freedom and expel terrorists there, we are proud that many of us have the same freedom-loving blood in our veins, - said Hryhoriy Zgoba, head of the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate's Vicariate in the United States and Canada.

Young people are amazed by the courage of all Ukrainians who are fighting for their future, because almost the entire population, regardless of age or gender, participates in the defense of their land.

We are inspired by the determination of Ukrainians in the struggle. Today, they are the largest democrats in the world, and Ukraine is a leading country. We are also amazed to see 93-year-old Patriarch Phlaret, not afraid of revenge by Russian henchmen, staying with his faithful, with his people in semi-occupied Kyiv, where fierce battles with the occupier and cruise and ballistic missiles are constantly coming. His position, his example for us, young people, is illustrative, Marichka shares her impressions…

The organizers of the actions emphasize that they will not stop their stand for an end to the war and peace for Ukraine until the Russian occupiers leave the Ukrainian land.

Philadelphia gathered with Ukrainian protest Russia's invasion of sovereign Ukraine.

On Sunday, February 27, thousands of people in Philadelphia gathered with Ukrainian flags at the Independence Mall near St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Cathedral to protest Russia's invasion of sovereign Ukraine. The city center was flooded with the blue and yellow sea, as many protesters, including Ukrainians and US citizens, as well as representatives of other countries, came with Ukrainian flags or in clothes of appropriate colors.

People are aware that they have come to express their position in defense of their relatives or friends who have come under heavy fire from Russian terrorists throughout Ukraine. Some said they lost contact with relatives because the occupiers cut off power.

The organizers of the rally, Ulyana Mazurkevych, the Committee of the Ukrainian-American Community, and the Ukrainian Committee for Human Rights, emphasize that Ukrainians must see that the whole world supports them, and the occupiers must withdraw.

We want people in Ukraine to see that we stand, that we speak for them, that we demonstrate our position, - said Ulyana Mazurkevich. "And then we will go to Washington and demand more support for Ukraine."

Bishop Luka (Zgoba) of Philadelphia took part in the rally in support of Ukraine together with a large community of the Vicariate of the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate in the United States and Canada. Bishop Luke is convinced that the American awareness of freedom will not allow Ukraine to be left alone in this struggle.

- Today Kyiv is the world capital of democracy and freedom. After all, it is there, as throughout Ukraine, that the fundamental values ​​of the modern world order are being fought for: freedom, free expression of will, justice and brotherhood. The courage that Ukrainians are showing today is unprecedented and deserves the surprise of the whole world. We are one hundred percent convinced that Ukraine will not only survive, but also win and become the founder of a fundamentally new world, where human life and freedom of choice will be valued without exception, - said Bishop Luka.

Several Americans of Ukrainian descent called on the world to boycott Russian oil companies and impose tougher sanctions.

After passionate speeches, there was a procession through the streets of Philadelphia, led by Bishop Luke of Philadelphia. People carried in their hands the icon of the Blessed Virgin "Military Protection", brought from Ukraine in 2019. This icon was painted at the request of the Ukrainian military and became a symbol of protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary for all Ukrainian soldiers. Bishop Luka prayed to the Blessed Virgin to protect Ukraine from the invasion of enemies and thanked all those present for their ardent support of his homeland.

Students from the village of Cherche school receive a delicious gift!

Students studying at a school in the village of Cherche in the Khmelnytsky region of Ukraine received a surprise box from Philadelphia – filled with delicious lunches. The healthy lunch snacks were a gift from the Vicariate of the UOC-KP in the USA & Canada, delivered to Cherche with the blessing of Bishop Luke of Philadelphia.

The first to try the delicious snacks were schoolchildren who took part in basketball competitions. They enjoyed the treats on the way to the competition and were ready to play -- full of energy!

The next day after the competition, all students of the school were trying the delicious snacks.

Our hearts were especially moved by a video of gratitude recorded by students of the school for the Vicariate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kyivan Patriarchate in the USA & Canada.

A Gala Event at St. Nicholas Stavropigia Orthodox Cathedral

A Gala Event at St. Nicholas Stavropigia Orthodox Cathedral, Philadelphia: Fundraising for the Vicariate and Honoring Bishop Luke

On Sunday, January 16, 2022, the St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral Hall in Philadelphia was elegantly decorated for the first annual Gala Fundraising Lunch to benefit the Vicariate of the UOC-KP in the USA & Canada. We welcomed visiting Clergy, friends and family. The fundraiser, honoring Bishop Luke, was a great success as we surpassed our fundraising goal – and enjoyed good food, music and fellowship, too! THANK YOU to our generous donors!

The special day began with the Entrance of Bishop Luke, followed by Vesting Prayers and Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Assisting Clergy included Very Reverend Father Oleksii Kacharai, Father Bernard Chojnacki and Father Deacon Daniel. Following the veneration of the Holy Cross, parishioners and guests proceeded to the Cathedral Hall for the Gala. Susan Guz, Vice President, Cathedral Council and Choir Director welcomed all guests and expressed appreciation for their generous donations to the Vicariate. A toast to Bishop Luke followed and the Patriarchal Choir sang a resounding “Many Years” to the newly-ordained Bishop! The Choir continued with a joyous Christmas carol, “On This Bright Day,” after which Bishop Luke blessed the food.

Officers of the Cathedral, friends and colleagues of Bishop Luke spoke at the Gala. The speakers included Thomas Hanney, President, Cathedral Council; Barbara Latsios, President, The Sisterhood; Audrius Palionis, Director of Operations, Mercy Fleet; and Reverend Thomas Sodano, Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Collingdale, Pennsylvania

Mrs. Latsios began her remarks with a quote from founding father of Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin: The idle are not only useless but mischievous members of society!

Mrs. Latsios continued: “As many of you know, there have been no idle moments here at St. Nicholas since our new priest – Bishop Luke -- arrived in 2016! Since 2016, we have had so many achievements, and we are so thankful for our spiritual leader Bishop Luke! We at St. Nicholas honor Bishop Luke today, for all that he has accomplished in 5 short years: for his charitable contributions to those less fortunate; for his guidance and support at our annual Pierogi Festival where he stands with us, side by side, peeling potatoes and instructing us on the best potato and cheese for those pierogies; and of course for his spiritual teachings and optimism for our future. We thank you Bishop Luke, we love you and we hope you enjoy this celebration in your honor! May God grant you many more years!”

Thomas Hanney, President, Cathedral Council, spoke about Bishop Luke’s new role as Vicar Bishop of the Vicariate of the UOC-KP in the USA & Canada. "The first mission of the Vicariate," said Mr. Hanney, as stated on the Vicariate website is to foster the growth of parishes in the USA and Canada. And Vicar Bishop Luke is already making progress in this direction, building alliances, reaching out to the various existing UOC-KP parishes and most importantly, planning future ordinations. Patriarch Philaret blessed Bishop Luke with the authority to ordain priests and deacons. He is the only UOC-KP Bishop in the United States who can do so. Consequently, with more Orthodox clergy, parishes can – and will -- multiply."

A special cake decorated with the Bishop’s Mitre was enjoyed by all. Guests received a parting gift -- a framed icon of Apostle Luke that Bishop Luke blessed during the Gala.