A charity and annual report evening was held in Philadelphia by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy, during which more than $112,000 was raised to support new priests and pastoral initiatives. An additional $100,000 was donated to aid Ukraine, bringing the total amount of contributions to over $212,000.
This was reported by the Communications Service of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
The event took place in the hall of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the theme “Rooted in Hope.” It gathered around 260 participants — priests, monastics, and laypeople from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
The evening was led by Archbishop and Metropolitan of Philadelphia, His Grace Borys Gudziak, who emphasized in his address that hope is the cornerstone of Christian life.
“We have a community, we have God’s blessing, we have unity. And most importantly — we have hope. My greatest hope is that your thermometer of hope, faith, and mutual love continues to rise,” said Archbishop Borys Gudziak.
The $112,244 raised during the event will go toward the Fund for New Priests and Pastoral Workers, supporting the development of new ministries and pastoral projects of the Archeparchy. In total, over 175 donors contributed to the initiative.
Throughout the evening, an additional $7,900 was collected through a silent auction featuring works by Ukrainian and diaspora graphic artists, $2,550 during a live auction of unique experiences, and $1,252 from a “50/50” raffle.
A generous anonymous donor matched the total raised, contributing $100,000 to the Healing the Wounds of War in Ukraine Fund, bringing the grand total of the evening to over $212,000.
Among the guests were also economs (financial officers) from the Lviv Archeparchy, as well as the Buchach and Sambir-Drohobych Eparchies and the Odesa Exarchate of the UGCC, who were visiting the United States.
The next charity benefit evening of the Philadelphia Archeparchy is scheduled for October 17, 2026.
Photo: the Philadelphia Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Author: Inna Mikhno