The event took place in Parma, Ohio. Held at the Parish of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God, the event brought together hundreds of participants from various dioceses in the United States, including the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Dioceses of Chicago, Parma, and Stamford.
This was reported by UGCC.
According to Bishop Bohdan Danylo of the Diocese of St. Josaphat, the pilgrimage began in 2016. In the early years, only a few people participated, but by 2025, the number of participants had grown to over 800. Bishop Danylo noted that the pilgrimage was a response to the lack of similar spiritual events for Ukrainian-speaking youth in the diocese, where regular events for English-speaking youth already existed.
This year's pilgrimage program included three thematic sessions: "Christians Yesterday and Today," "Embarking on the Journey Inherent to Everyone Who Seeks the Meaning of Life," and "What Is Our Tomorrow?" Participants had the opportunity to discuss what they learned in small groups.
Additionally, sports competitions took place between young people from different dioceses during the pilgrimage.
Participants from Canada also attended the event. Bishop Brian Baida, chairman of the Patriarchal Commission for Youth Affairs, participated for the first time, as did young people from the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mississauga. Prayer events during the pilgrimage included the Taizé prayer, the Jesus Prayer, and the Rosary, which was broadcast online for the entire UGCC.
On June 14, a walking pilgrimage to St. Josaphat's Church was held and ended with Vespers led by Bishop Bohdan Danylo. That evening, a concert of spiritual songs was held, featuring local performers and Svitlana Vesna, an Honored Artist of Ukraine.
The final event of the pilgrimage was the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy led by Metropolitan Boris Gudziak of Philadelphia, Bishop Brian Baida, and Bishop Bohdan Danylo.
A special moment during the liturgy was when Metropolitan Boris announced the creation of an interdiocesan youth apostolate. Olena Kordii, who also led the pilgrimage organizing committee, will head the apostolate.
According to the organizers, the new apostolate's goal is to create joint programs for youth in all dioceses and parishes. They will also work to establish cooperation between Ukrainian-speaking and English-speaking youth.
Author: Danylo Pievchev