The Rev. Myroslav Medvid visits Ukrainian communities (01/28/01)

The Rev. Myroslav Medvid visits Ukrainian communities

by Roman Woronowycz

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Rev. Myroslav Medvid, abandoned 15 years ago by U.S. authorities after he twice escaped a Soviet grain trawler anchored in the Mississippi River delta near New Orleans and eventually sent back to the USSR, finally made it to the United States for a two- month visit on November 17.

The Ukrainian sailor, who was ordained a Ukrainian Greek-Catholic (UGCC) priest 10 years ago - a decision he said he made as a result of his ordeal - came to the United States to celebrate divine liturgy and thank those who tried to help him during that time. The Rev. Medvid's visit came after extensive efforts by The Ukrainian Weekly in cooperation with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America to fulfill his dream.

The day after his arrival, the Rev. Medvid was the main speaker following a special service at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, where the Ukrainian American community commemorated the Great Famine of 1932-1933. Under the auspices of the UCCA, which is financing his stay in the U.S., the Rev. Medvid then visited Stamford, Conn., the home of St. Basil's Seminary and the Stamford Eparchy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, headed by Bishop Basil Losten.

That trip was followed by a stop in Washington, where the Ukrainian National Women's League of America celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala banquet.

The Rev. Medvid has visited the Ukrainian American communities also in the Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Chicago metropolitan areas.

On January 16 the Rev. Medvid visited the offices of the Ukrainian National Association in Parsippany, N.J.

The Rev. Medvid is scheduled to return to Ukraine the first week of February.

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