Ecumenical patriarch to visit Ukrainian Orthodox in U.S. (09/07/97)

Ecumenical patriarch to visit Ukrainian Orthodox in U.S.

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is scheduled to visit the archdiocesan headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America on Monday, October 27.

Patriarch Bartholomew, who bears the title of ecumenical patriarch and archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome, is the 270th successor to the first-called apostle, St. Andrew, and is considered to be the spiritual leader of the 300-million-member Orthodox Christian Church, "the first among equals" of Eastern Orthodox hierarchs throughout the world.

The visit of the ecumenical patriarch to the Ukrainian Orthodox Archdiocesan Center in New Jersey is a first and is seen as extremely important in the life of Ukrainian Orthodox communities in America and the diaspora, which have strong ties to Ukraine and are spiritually united to the Holy See of Constantinople.

The archdiocesan center located in Franklin Township and South Bound Brook, N.J., was established in 1950 and serves as the spiritual, educational and cultural center for all Ukrainian Orthodox.

The ecumenical patriarch is scheduled to arrive at 4:30 p.m. He will be greeted by hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Orthodox and heterodox Church notables and civil dignitaries. The patriarchal visit includes a prayer service at St. Andrew Memorial Church, a brief tour of the center, a visit to the historic Fisher Manor, the St. Sophia Seminary, and a banquet at the Ukrainian Cultural Center.

Patriarch Bartholomew, who begins his monthlong pilgrimage in the U.S. on October 19, will attend festivities marking the 75th anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, shepherded by Archbishop Spyridon, and visit major Orthodox Christian centers and communities in the U.S.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. has its origin in the ancient land of Ukraine dating to the Kyivan Rus' era. Christianization was begun by missionaries from the Orthodox Christian See of Constantinople, and in 988 Prince Volodymyr personally accepted Orthodox Christianity. The baptism of Volodymyr, his household and the inhabitants of Kyiv altered the direction of Kyivan Rus' and Slavic history. Kyiv became a spiritual seat of Orthodox Christians and it was from this see that missionaries were sent into every corner of Volodymyr realm.

The Mother Church of Kyiv and its see of St. Sophia, modeled after Constantinople's see of the same name, gave birth to many Orthodox Christian centers and communities west and east of the Dnipro River, including the Orthodox Christian see of Moscow.

Additional information concerning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S., its center and the patriarchal visit may be obtained by contacting the press office by phone, (732) 356-0090, or fax, (732) 356-5556.

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