Highest-ranking U.S. Ukrainian Catholic bishop to Deliver Lecture on Invasion of Ukraine

Archbishop Borys Gudziak, president of Ukrainian Catholic University and Metropolitan-Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, will visit King’s College on Oct. 21, 2025 to deliver a lecture entitled “The Church—An Instrument of Peace Amid War: Reflections on the Invasion of Ukraine.” 

The lecture is free and open to the public and starts at 7:15 p.m. It will be hosted in the Burke Auditorium on the first floor of the McGowan School of Business on 131 N. River St. in Wilkes-Barre. Visitors can park in lots off the cul-de-sac accessed from N. Franklin St. 

Archbishop Gudziak is the highest-ranking Ukrainian Catholic bishop in the United States and serves as president of the Ukrainian Catholic University, the first Catholic university established in the former Soviet Union. A Harvard-trained historian and theologian, he travels globally to deliver lectures on theology, human dignity, and educational reform. 

He is widely recognized for his international efforts to encourage prayer, informed awareness, and active assistance for Ukraine. He has made 12 trips to Ukraine since Russia's invasion began and has met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on related peace and aid efforts.

In August 2025, President Zelenskyy awarded Archbishop Gudziak the Order of Merit, First Class, for strengthening cooperation between countries, supporting the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and serving charitable efforts around the world.