A presentation of the book “Living Victoriously: The School of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj” took place at the Ukrainian Library in Jenkintown, Philadelphia, located at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center. The new publication is dedicated to one of the most prominent Ukrainian spiritual leaders. The book’s author is Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and President of the Ukrainian Catholic University. The presentation coincided with the 80th anniversary of the arrest and imprisonment of Josyf Slipyj.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC).
The event gathered numerous guests from the local community who came to hear Metropolitan Borys reflect on the legacy of one of the key figures in 20th-century Ukrainian church history. The evening was moderated by historian Andriy Zhivachivsky.
In the book, published by the UCU Press, Metropolitan Gudziak reflects on the figure of Josyf Slipyj through the lens of his own life path, thoughts, and experiences. The basis of the book comes from a series of speeches given in 2017 on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Patriarch’s birth. In these texts, the author shares childhood memories of first encounters with Slipyj, his time with him while studying at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Rome, and his reflections on the Patriarch’s life and work in the context of modern challenges.
“These were memories, but at the same time, a school for all of us,” Metropolitan Borys emphasized during the presentation.
He also noted that Patriarch Josyf was a man of universal values who stood firm against totalitarianism, did not break under imprisonment, and never confined himself to narrow frameworks. On the contrary, he created and united communities even in the most difficult times.
“Patriarch Josyf Slipyj was a universal man. He was not a Ukrainian living in a small bubble, not a narrow-minded integral nationalist. He represented universal values, fought the greatest evil — the challenge of the 20th century — the totalitarian attempt to destroy the human person, to turn people into biomass, into homo sovieticus,” he said.
Metropolitan Gudziak also stressed faith as the main strength of the Patriarch and described him as a man of action despite the immense trials he faced.
“He lived with God, saw eternity, wanted to be fruitful, listened and debated with politicians and people of all kinds. Saint Pope John Paul II did the same. We have great saints among our people. Let us be courageous, do good every day, live in faith, knowing that the Lord loved us so much He gave His life for us,” Metropolitan Borys encouraged.
After the formal part of the event, a lively discussion and informal gathering followed. Attendees had the opportunity to get their books signed and personally speak with Metropolitan Borys. The evening was moderated by historian Andriy Zhivachivsky.
Author: Danylo Pievchev