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
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".