Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S. visits UOC Metropolia Center (02/23/03)

Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S. visits UOC Metropolia Center

by Hieromonk Daniel

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. - Ambassador Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Ukraine's envoy to the United States, visited the Metropolia Center of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle, on the weekend of January 18-19 to familiarize himself with Ukrainian Orthodox Church life in this country.

Ambassador Gryshchenko and his wife, Natalia, arrived in the afternoon of January 18 and first met privately with Archbishop Antony in his Consistory office.

The archbishop greeted the ambassador on behalf of Metropolitan Constantine and Archbishop Vsevolod, and all the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., and expressed joy at this first visit. The ambassador was informed about the history and current life of the Metropolia and the development of the Metropolia Center, founded by Metropolitans John and Mstyslav 53 years ago.

Ambassador Gryshchenko commented on current ecclesiastical life in Ukraine, stating that it is much like the political life of the nation at this moment - chaotic and divided. He offered assurances that the Ukrainian government continues in its desire to see the Church united and speaking with one voice in its ministry to the nation and the faithful.

Archbishop Antony presented the ambassador with a gift of several church publications, including the five-volume history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by Prof. Ivan Vlasovsky, the annual Church Calendar and the Ukrainian Orthodox Word. A copy of the icon commissioned especially for the celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of the Nativity of Our Lord was also presented to the ambassador, who in return presented the archbishop with two publications from Ukraine - "Ukrainian Folk Icons from the Land of Shevchenko" and "Holy Kyiv."

Following this meeting, Archbishop Antony, accompanied by members of the Consistory - the Very Rev. William Diakiw, vice-president; Emil Skocypec, treasurer;Dr. George Krywolap and the presidents of the Church's central organizations, Daria Pishko of the Ukrainian Orthodox League and Nadia Mirchuk of the United Ukrainian Orthodox Sisterhoods (Michael Heretz of St. Andrew Society was unable to participate until Sunday due to prior commitments) - led the ambassador on a tour of the center through St. Sophia Seminary/Ukrainian Orthodox Church Library, St. Andrew Memorial Church and the Fisher House.

A memorial service was conducted in the crypt of Patriarch Mstyslav. Prayers were said at the grave of Metropolitan John; the United Ukrainian Orthodox Sisterhoods memorial to the women and children who perished in the genocidal Famine of 1932-1933; the main cemetery cross commemorating all those who gave their lives in defense of the freedom of Ukraine; the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) subdivision of the cemetery; the graves of the three presidents of the Ukrainian National Rada in Exile, the grave of Boris Martos, prime minister of Ukraine; the grave of Gen. Petro Grigorenko of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group; and the final resting places of several other prominent Ukrainian literary, cultural and political leaders.

The ambassador, his wife and Embassy staff, Natalia Holub, cultural attaché, and Myroslava Shcherbatiuk, second secretary, brought flowers for each of the graves and memorials visited.

Following a visit and tour of the Fisher House hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Skocypec, the group returned to the Memorial Church for the Compline Service on the Eve of Jordan - the Epiphany/Baptism of the Lord. A special Epiphany Eve meal, prepared by St. Mary Sisterhood, followed with all those who worshipped during the services in attendance.

On Sunday morning - the Great Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - the Memorial Church was overflowing with worshippers. Archbishop Antony warmly welcomed Ambassador Gryshchenko, and his entourage on behalf of the Council of Bishops and the entire UOC-U.S.A. and offered his prayers that all the work of the Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S. will be most beneficial to Ukrainians in Ukraine and beyond its borders and that God's blessings be bestowed upon the envoy and his staff as they carry out that work.

All present were invited to the Sisterhood Hall next to the Memorial Church for an opportunity to meet with Ambassador Gryshchenko, who spoke briefly about the current life of Ukraine and assured his listeners that this life will continue to improve. He invited the faithful to visit Ukraine frequently to see for themselves how life in every aspect has improved and to make their own judgments about it. He graciously responded to several questions from the faithful and departed for a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Center and the Ukrainian Orthodox Museum located there.

The entourage expressed admiration for the Ukrainian Cultural Center and museum and pride that significant artifacts of Ukrainian history have been so well preserved and protected by the UOC-U.S.A. Strong support was expressed for the successful completion of the Historical and Educational Complex, which would allow for the exhibition of the entire museum collection rather than the 20 percent currently on display.

Following this visit, Archbishop Antony hosted Ambassador Gryshchenko, his wife and staff at a luncheon with Consistory members, staff and the leaders of Church organizations prior to their return to the Embassy in Washington.

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