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World Leader Of Ukrainian Catholic Church To Visit Philadelphia

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The world leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Church is coming to Philadelphia Sunday for a pastoral visit and to celebrate a divine liturgy with hundreds of the faithful in the golden dome cathedral in Northern Liberties.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk will lead the liturgy starting at 2:15 Sunday afternoon in Immaculate Conception Cathedral. He'll be joined by hundreds of clergy and religious from across the region who will renew their vows as part of the service.

Shevchuk, who is based in the Ukraine, says his pilgrimage to Philadelphia and other U.S. stops is crucial.

"To meet the people, to have a chance to talk to them, to convey to them news about the life in Ukraine, about the current not easy situation in our country."

Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka, based here in Philadelphia, says while Shevchuk also will take part in blessing of new mosaics and a blessing of the cathedral church bell tower, he will also lead a late afternoon prayer vigil for the people of the Ukraine.

"Common people are suffering a great deal and we in America can show solidarity with them, our care for them, that we want to stand with them."

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