In USA, Zelensky awards Uniate metropolitan with Order of Mazepa
V. Zelensky awardштп Gudziak. Photo: FB page of the Philadelphia Archeparchy of the UGCC
On September 21, 2023, in Washington, Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Boris Gudziak, with the President of Ukraine's award, the Order of Ivan Mazepa, as reported on the Facebook page of the Philadelphia Archeparchy of the UGCC.
During the ceremony, Olena Zelenska said that she personally knows Gudziak and that he is known by the military, displaced persons, and "young people who receive an excellent education thanks to him".
The First Lady added that Ukraine's defenders come from various faiths or may not be religious at all, but they all "fight against evil, against the worst that can be born within a person – a conscious desire to kill, destroy, capture, and make slaves. Therefore, it is also a spiritual battle." She thanked "everyone who fights with us in the spiritual and value dimension."
The Order of Ivan Mazepa is a state award of the President of Ukraine for a significant contribution to the revival of national cultural, artistic, spiritual, architectural and military-historical heritage. It was established by a decree of President Yushchenko in 2009.
Earlier, it was reported that Gudziak, during the 2019 presidential campaign, thanked Poroshenko for his good deeds during his presidency.
Read also
Appellate Court: UOC has no rights to Yelets Convent in Chernihiv
The UOC is required to return the Yelets Convent to the Ministry of Culture and remove obstacles to accessing the sanctuary.
UOC priest and combat medic about how many believers support the frontline
According to Archimandrite Joasaph, his main task at the frontline is to ensure survival.
Vatican excommunicates Archbishop Carlo Viganò from RCC for schism
The former papal nuncio to the U.S. is subject to the most severe punishment in the Catholic Church: he is forbidden from communicating with the faithful and is denied access to the sacraments.
Statements by AFU soldiers against the ban on the UOC reminded online
The military called on deputies not to take rash steps that could harm the unity and security of the country.
Criminal сases initiated against experts in UOJ case and UOC priest
The activities of experts Eduard Lytvynenko and Svitlana Dolynkivska will be investigated by the National Police and the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR).
Ecumenical Patriarch honors Bulgarian politician for supporting Phanar
Boyko Borisov promised Patriarch Bartholomew that he would continue to support all Orthodox churches "to the best of his ability".