Three New York parishioners installed as Knights of St. Gregory (01/19/97)

Three New York parishioners installed as Knights of St. Gregory

by Mary E. Pressey

NEW YORK - The parishioners and guests of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church of New York were deeply moved by the "papal knighting" in the church on Sunday, December 29, 1996.

Three of the parish's members, Julian Baczynsky, Harry Polche and Iwan Sierant, were installed with the honors of Knights of St. Gregory the Great, an honor conferred upon them by Pope John Paul II. The investiture was conducted by Bishop Basil H. Losten of Stamford and the Rev. Patrick Paschak, pastor of the St. George Church.

The order was founded by Pope Gregory VII, the known Hildebrand of the Middle Ages, and is bestowed upon Catholics for distinguished service to the Church.

In addition, three other parishioners, Mary Atamanchuk, Maria Baczynsky and Tymish Shewchuk, were honored with papal medals "For Church and Pope" at the papal knighting ceremony.

Mr. Baczynsky, born in Zukiv, Ukraine, in 1923, had early indoctrination into Catholicism through his deeply religious father and grandfather, who was a Catholic priest in Austria before World War I. He received his college degree in Germany and in 1950 arrived in New York City prior to his parents' entry.

In time, Mr. Baczynsky married Mary Samokishchuk (who received the papal medal), and together they became parishioners of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, which they have served for 40 years with diligence and steadfastness.

While their service to the Church and the Ukrainian community abounds, Mr. and Mrs. Baczynsky also merit credit for their devotion to a young Brazilian seminary student, Mauricius Popadiuk, whom they have totally supported financially and morally from his adolescence until his ordination into priesthood. Today the Rev. Popadiuk is a superior at St. Josaphat's Monastery in Glen Cove, N.Y.

Mr. and Mrs. Baczynsky also provide financial help and care to 98 orphans in Ukraine and steadfastly continue their financial support of Ukraine and its citizens. Mr. Baczynsky is the owner of the East Village Meat Market.

Mr. Polche was born in New York City of immigrant parents from Ukraine. He devoted his entire life to serving St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, where he was baptized, received his first Holy communion and married Rosalie Chuma, who has been a steadfast supporter of all his civic and national endeavors.

Tall of stature and sympathetic of nature, Mr. Polche was involved through the years in church functions, school committees, civic affairs, war veterans' events and military occasions. As noted by many, he is a man of deep loyalty.

Mr. Polche served in the New York City Police Department for 38 years and retired with the rank of lieutenant. In his capacity as police officer, he was in charge of order at parades, processions and festivals (Ukrainian and otherwise), and served as an escort to Patriarch Josyf Slipyj during his first visit to America. He also took charge of President Leonid Kuchma's visit to St. George Church.

As a veteran of World War II, Mr. Polche is a past national commander of the Ukrainian American Veterans. For many years he has served as commander of Catholic War Veterans Post 401 affiliated with St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, whose motto is "For God, For Country, For Home."

Dr. Sierant was born in the village of Demnia, Ukraine, and obtained his law degree in Lviv. In 1948 he came to New York City and found his spiritual home at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, where he has been a dedicated parishioner ever since. Working diligently at the church, he continued his education and obtained his master's degree in business administration from New York University with the inspiration and help of his wife, Stephania Panchuk, whom he married in 1952.

From the outset, Dr. Sierant joined the Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City, holding a position as officer for 36 years. In 1984 he became a treasurer at the Ukrainian Self Reliance Credit Union and was instrumental in making the bank a very profitable venture.

In the interim, Dr. Sierant gave freely of his time as treasurer of the Shevchenko Scientific Society and became the president of the Ukrainian Sports Club, where he is involved in multiple undertakings to benefit young athletes, senior citizens and charitable institutions.

Following the investiture, a dinner was held in St. George's school auditorium with a great number of parishioners and guests in attendance. In his able fashion as master of ceremonies, Father Paschak, called upon Dr. Walter Baran to introduce Mr. Polche, Dr. Wasyl Kalynowych for Dr. Sierant and Father Popadiuk for Mr. Baczynsky, all who offered words of praise that moved the audience and the honorees.

In conclusion, Sir Polche sincerely thanked all who had been instrumental in bestowing the honors upon him and his fellow Knights of St. Gregory. Bishop Losten expressed his gratitude to the decorated members and conferred his blessing upon all in attendance.

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