Ukrainian Orthodox League holds 50th anniversary convention in Pittsburgh (09/21/97)

Ukrainian Orthodox League holds 50th anniversary convention in Pittsburgh

by Elizabeth Mitchell

PITTSBURGH - The 50th anniversary convention of the Ukrainian Orthodox League of the U.S.A. was held at the Marriott Hotel on July 16-20, and hosted by Ss. Peter and Paul Chapters of Carnegie, Pa.

Sessions opened with a traditional welcome of bread and salt by the Kyiv Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Carnegie. President Lynn Szafranski introduced the members of the national executive board, while Julie Klish, Junior UOL president, introduced the members of the junior board. Greetings were extended by Natalie Kapeluck and Melissa Haluszczak, convention co-chairs, by the Rev. Steve Repa, host pastor, and Jim Rozum, president of the Carnegie Chapter.

Speakers included the Rev. Tim Tomson of Lyndora, Pa., head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Altar Servers Retreat scheduled for December 29, 1997, - January 2, 1998, in Lakeland, Fla.; Marianna Liss and Linda Kozler of the diocesan youth ministry program; and Bohdan Hryshchyshyn, director of All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church Camp in Emlenton, Pa.

In his message to the convention, Metropolitan Constantine addressed the theme of the convention "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." He noted, "Through the transfiguration, we become disciples of Christ, we are guided by the Holy Spirit, and we do enter the Kingdom of God."

Archbishop Antony spoke on the growth of the organization, stating "The Ukrainian Orthodox League of the U.S.A. has been the source of education, support, comfort, inspiration, love and joy for many."

Archbishop Vsevolod directed his address to the young adults. He said: "In working towards Orthodoxy in America, we must support the founding and work of good Orthodox monasteries, promote sound, solid, deep Orthodox education, strengthen the Orthodox liturgical life of the parish, and encourage good relations among Orthodox parishes."

A hierarchical divine liturgy was held on Sunday, July 20, at Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Carnegie and was concelebrated by Metropolitan Constantine, Archbishop Antony and Archbishop Vsevolod, together with visiting clergy the Revs. Bazyl Zawierucha, Myron Oryhon, William Diakiw, Deacons Sviatoslav Nowytski and Robert Popichak, and the Rev. Repa. The church choir sang under the direction of Cynthia Mycyk of Ambridge, Pa.

Social events included a hospitality night, a boat ride, a picnic for juniors, a USO night, a formal banquet and ball, and a farewell brunch on Sunday. Various workshops were scheduled during the weekend, including bread-making, fund raising, Ukrainian baking, advertising, church school education, church readers, youth ministry and church choir.

The highlight of the convention was the 50-panel pictorial display of the league's 50-year history. The display will be transported to South Bound Brook, N.J., where it will become a permanent part of the Ukrainian Cultural Center's museum.

The Rev. Archimandrite Andriy Partykevich of Boston headed the Junior Chapter Challenge, where teams are formed and religous questions asked in a College Bowl fashion. Members of the winning team were: Alicia Oryhon, Johnson City, N.Y.; Elizabeth Bailly, New Britain, Conn.; William Harder, Johnson City, N.Y.; A.J. Nary, Boston; Amy Witkowsky, Ambridge, Pa.

Dr. Stephen Sivulich, who chaired the Youth Ministry Fund Drive, presented a check in the amount of $61,000 to Metropolitan Constantine at the banquet. Wasyl Pysh of Erie, Pa., had contributed $25,000 to this project, as well as $10,000 to the Teenage Conference, $10,000 to the LSSK Scholarship Fund, and $15,000 to the Young Adults Retreat program. In recognition of his generosity, Metropolitan Constantine presented Mr. Pysh with an icon of the Blessed Mother.

Recognizing the need for the Youth Ministry, the convention body pledged an additional $150,000 to fund this program over the next several years.

Many awards and scholarships were presented at the banquet in recognition of individual and chapter achievements. Also, Joanne Staroshchak of McKees Rocks, Pa., brought greetings, as well as a donation of books, from the United Sisterhoods of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Elected to office from the seniors were: President Helen Greenleaf, Russell, Ohio; First Vice-President Dr. Paul Szwecz, Manchester, Conn.; Second Vice-President Dr. Sivulich, Pittsburgh; Treasurer Marian Zetick, Pittsburgh; Corresponding Secretary Alice Sivulich, Pittsburgh; Recording Secretary Ann Moroz, Mount Laurel, N.J.; Financial Secretary Pani-Matka Maria Norton, Newington, Conn.; Auditors David Sembrot, Glenside, Pa.; Michelle Bailly, New Britain, Conn.; and Emil Skocypec, Somerset, N.J.

Juniors elected to office were: President Greg Misko, Northampton, Pa.; Vice-President Joshua Oryhon, Johnson City, N.Y.; Recording-Corresponding Secretary Laryssa Sadoway, Belmont, Pa.; Financial Secretary Diane Platosz, New Britain, Conn.; and Treasurer Elizabeth Bailly, New Britain, Conn.

Metropolitan Constantine appointed the Rev. Zawierucha of North Catasauqua, Pa., and the Rev. John Nakonachny of Parma, Ohio, as spiritual advisor to the seniors, and the Rev. Oryhon as spiritual advisor to the juniors.

The 1998 convention is scheduled for the Ukrainian Cultural Center in South Bound Brook, N.J., with Mr. Skocypec as chairman.

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