Sofiya Fedyna entertains at Oseredok

   Officers and members of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known as “the Oseredok,” were busier last week than other times — including last Wednesday’s concert and presentation of Sofiya Fedyna, Ph.D., a singer, composer, lyricist, pianist, political activist and professor at the Ukrainian Ivan Franko National University in L’viv, Ukraine, sponsored by the Oseredok, who had no difficulty enlightening and entertaining the full-house audience for more than 90 minutes. She spoke about her personal and other Ukrainian patriots’ experiences in “Euromaidan” (November 2013-March 2014), where more than 100 patriots were killed by former president of Ukraine Yanukovych’s goons, and about the current situation of the undeclared war with Russian special forces and their Ukrainian fringe elements on the eastern border of Ukraine. She also interrupted her presentation several times by singing Ukrainian songs, some modern and some old-time patriotic songs which I and my friends used to sing during our teens in Ukraine. Those in attendance often joined her in singing.

    North Port Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans and the Oseredok presented Dr. Fedyna with $1,000 each for her humanitarian projects in Ukraine.

    Following the “formal” presentation and concert, Sofiya mingled with the public during a social hour with coffee, sandwiches, and pastries provided by the Oseredok.

    Last Sunday, the Oseredok held a traditional and very successful dinner celebrating “St. Andrew’s Day,” honoring the patron saint of the Oseredok, the first-called apostle St. Andrew who visited the land now known as Ukraine during the first century A.D. A delicious dinner prepared by members and a special program were enjoyed by all.
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    His Excellency Bohdan J. Danylo, who was ordained and installed last month Eparch (Ordinary) of St. Josapht Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in Parma, which also encompasses the Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Florida, visited our parish last weekend. He presided over a meeting of pastors of all five Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Florida last Saturday, and celebrated the pontifical divine liturgy at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church last Sunday. He was assisted by the Rev. Dr. Severyn Kovalyshin, pastor, and the Rt. Rev. Mitrate Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, pastor-emeritus.

    Bishop Bohdan was welcomed in the church, in accordance with the Ukrainian tradition with bread and salt, presented to him by Larissa Shpon and John Susla, while the choir under the direction of Lubow Dobrowolska-Ingram sang three times, “Bud Imya Hospodnye Blahoslovenne” (May God’s Name be blessed). He was accompanied by an honor guard of parishioners and parish children carrying a cross, icons and candles.

    In his homily after the reading of Holy Gospel, spoken in Ukrainian and in English, Bishop Bohdan reminded parishioners and guests of God’s continuous love and continuous protection of the Most Holy Mother of God, and wished all to be able to be as true with God as Holy Mary was all her life. At the end of the liturgy. Bishop Bohdan greeted all parishioners and guests individually as they exited the church, and distributed commemorative icons.
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    The members of North Port Branch 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies), headed by Ann-Marie Susla, had a unique opportunity to meet with UNWLA National President Marianna Zajac this week during an informal “meet and greet” coffee and pastries reception at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center.

    Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com. 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians 

by Atanas Kobryn

FEDYNA