Solemn Spiritual and Artistic Academy “I Am Still With You” on the Occasion of the 160th Anniversary of the Birth of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytskyi

On April 8, 2025, a solemn spiritual and artistic academy titled “I Am Still With You” was held at Taras Shevchenko Ternopil Academic Ukrainian Drama Theater to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of the righteous Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytskyi.

At the invitation of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archdiocese of the UGCC, the event was attended by the university Rector, Prof. Mykhailo Korda; Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Ivan Klishch; Head of the Department of Communications and Marketing, Assoc. Prof. Nadiia Oliinyk; Head of the Center for Educational Work and Cultural Development, Assoc. Prof. Marta Rudenko; Assoc. Prof. Halyna Habor; Assoc. Prof. Olena Pokotylo, along with students.

During the event, five individuals were awarded the highest honor of the Archdiocese — the “Aspire for Great Things” award named after Josyf Slipyj — for their significant contributions to the Church and society. Among the awardees were volunteer and Senior Lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Khrystyna Fetsitsa; anesthesiologist and medical service major Serhii Zaiachkivskyi; military chaplain Father Yurii Stasiuk; Yosyp and Myroslava Hrytsenko; and Bohdan and Olha Chaikivski. The awards were presented by Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archdiocese, Theodor Martyniuk, who emphasized the exceptional service and dedication of the honorees to the Church and Ukraine.

Among the distinguished guests was Bishop Volodymyr, Auxiliary Bishop of the Lviv Archdiocese, who shared his personal spiritual reflections on the legacy of Metropolitan Andrey.

The event was directed and hosted by Merited Artist of Ukraine and poet, Oleh Herman. Also participating were seminarians from the Ternopil Theological Seminary. A special highlight of the academy was the performance by the “Zorynka” Choral School. Their renditions of spiritual and folk songs deeply moved the audience and added a solemn and uplifting atmosphere to the celebration.