75th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Parish of the Holy Family Celebrated in Washington, DC
The Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington, DC, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the parish, under the pastoral care of Frs. Robert Hitchens and Mykola Dzyurakh. The service was presided over by Archbishop and Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of Philadelphia.
This was stated on the Facebook page of the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States.
On behalf of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova, Denys Senyk, Deputy Head of the diplomatic mission, and representatives of the embassy attended the liturgy on the occasion of the feast.
The diplomatic mission noted that the parish, founded in 1949 by a small group of faithful families, has grown to serve thousands, eventually becoming an anchor for Ukrainians. For decades, the Holy Family Church has been a sanctuary, offering Ukrainians a place to strengthen their faith, foster unity, and share our rich heritage with the wider community.
The history of this parish is woven with profound moments, from the blessing of St. Pope John Paul II to the welcoming of prominent leaders, including President Ronald Reagan and His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
“Today, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary, we express our heartfelt gratitude to the clergy who have tirelessly served this community, as well as to all the parishioners who have preserved and enriched this holy place. Thank you for your unwavering support of Ukraine in this difficult time, serving not only as a spiritual center but also as a powerful advocate for Ukraine’s resilience,” the embassy stated.
The community also expressed their gratitude: “We are sincerely grateful to Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, all the parishioners and guests for joining us in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of our parish. Your presence brought us immense joy and made this event truly memorable. We are especially grateful to all those who have supported the parish over the years, who have served faithfully and contributed their work and prayers to its growth. We take great pride in having our children join us in this celebration. Our children are a true sign of hope and future for our parish. Thank you for being an integral part of our Holy Family. May the Lord bless you all abundantly!” the parish’s Facebook page reads.
The UGCC Department for Information
