“Hundreds of priests have been shaped thanks to your efforts,” UGCC Head congratulates Father Ivan Terletsky from the US
The Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, congratulated Fr. Ivan Terletsky, priest of the Parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Spring Valley (New York), on his 75th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. On behalf of the Head of the Church, Bishop Stepan Sus, Bishop of the Curia of the Kyiv-Halych Supreme Archbishop, presented the priest with a letter of appreciation.
In his greeting, the Head of the Church assured the priest of his prayers and thanked God “for the gift of life and for calling Fr. Ivan to the path of sacrificial service to the Church and his native people.”
“Today, we gratefully remember the blessed memory of your parents, Mykhailo and Anna, as well as Bishop Joseph Shmondiuk, who ordained you as a deacon and priest in the chapel of St. Basil the Great Seminary. As a young priest, you served zealously in various parishes of the eparchy, proclaiming the Good News of the risen Christ and leading people to Him through the Holy Sacraments. Through your life and words, you set an example of fidelity and zeal in priestly ministry,” emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Head of the Church also noted Fr. Ivan’s many years of pastoral service at St. Basil the Great Seminary in Stamford, where he served as prefect, economist, and librarian.
“Thanks to your efforts, hundreds of priests have been shaped and today serve the faithful around the world,” emphasized the Patriarch. “You generously shared your knowledge, gained through persistent intellectual work, and became an example of a priest who loves Christ and His Church.”
Separately, His Beatitude Sviatoslav recognized the significant role of Fr. Ivan in the restoration of the Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv, where he served as vice-rector for academic affairs after years of persecution of the Church.
“Your life is a path of dedication to the preaching of Christ’s Gospel. Through this, you have earned the love and respect of the people you serve. For all this, we express our heartfelt gratitude, recognition, and praise.
Please accept our wishes for God’s abundant blessings and the help of the Holy Spirit in all your endeavors for the glory of God and for the good of your people. May the Most Holy Mother of God intercede for you and bestow upon you the graces you need. Many happy years, dear Father Ivan!” — wished the Primate.
The UGCC Department for Information
