Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Philadelphia Celebrates Feast Day with Metropolitan Borys Gudziak’s Homily on Faith and Resilience (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Archbishop of Philadelphia, presided at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Philadelphia. The occasion marked the parish’s feast day, a celebration of its spiritual and cultural heritage. Father Volodymyr Kozak served as the parish administrator during the service.

In his homily, Metropolitan Borys reflected on the significance of faith, freedom, and the role of the Church in preserving Ukrainian spiritual and cultural identity, especially during times of persecution and war. He highlighted the historical dedication of generations of clergy and faithful who built churches, sustained parish life, and supported the Ukrainian people through decades of Soviet persecution.

Speaking about Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Metropolitan Borys emphasized the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the sacrifices they continue to make in defense of their freedom and independence. He stressed that freedom, independence, and faith require sacrifice, responsibility, and a willingness to overcome difficulties.

He also encouraged parishioners to strengthen their communities through personal relationships, prayer, and mutual support. Addressing the challenges of loneliness and social isolation, the Archbishop invited the faithful to open their hearts and homes to others and remain actively involved in parish life.

Christ the King Parish was established in 1949, and construction of the church building was completed in 1965. For more than seven decades, the parish has served as a spiritual home for generations of Ukrainian Catholics in Philadelphia. Among the church’s notable treasures is a copy of the miraculous icon of Christ the King, painted in 1956 by artist Petro Andrusiv. The painting was based on a small reproduction of the icon found in Father Petro Pylypets’ book *Remembrance in Zarvanytsia*. The small icon was brought from Ukraine to the United States by the wife of Father Vasyl Holovinsky when the family fled the communist regime.

Christ the King Church is also a designated pilgrimage site of Our Lady of Zarvanytsia, maintaining a spiritual connection with one of Ukraine’s most significant Marian pilgrimage destinations. At the conclusion of his homily, Metropolitan Borys encouraged the faithful to overcome fear, remain steadfast in their faith, and continue serving God and one another.

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