The second day of the pastoral visit of His Beatitude Sviatoslav to Chicago

On the second day of his pastoral visit to Chicago, His Beatitude Sviatoslav met with Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago. After the meeting, the Head of the UGCC participated in the youth conference, held in the cultural center of the Ukrainian Village in Chicago, entitled “The Unique Contributions of the Eastern Church to the World's Transformation”. The conference was attended by more than 150 students, teachers and directors of Ukrainian schools in Chicago and suburban areas. Addressing the participants of the conference, His Beatitude Sviatoslav stressed the importance of “letting young people experience priestly and monastic life”. After that, the UGCC Primate paid a visit to Sts. Volodymyr and Olha church where he was greeted by the youth, members of Plast and SUM, parish clergy and public figures. Sts. Volodymyr and Olha church was the last stop of the Eparchial Jubilee Icon of the Protection of the Mother of God of the 18 months pilgrimage visiting all the parishes of the Eparchy. The Jubilee Icon was written by Hieromonk Damian (Higgins) upon the request of Most Rev. Richard (Seminak). About 550 people, including bishops, clergy, public leaders and representatives of various organizations from the central and western states arrived to participate in the solemn banquet on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee. Addressing the assembly gathered at the banquet, His Beatitude Sviatoslav talked on the role of a Bishop in Eparchy on the basis of the Holy Scriptures and Fathers of the Church. The UGCC Primate also shared his reflections on the history of the Eparchy recalling many hard working and dedicating Church leaders. The celebrations were concluded with Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus Concert.  

The UGCC Information Department