On the 38th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Andrei (Kuschak), the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA gathered at Saint Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery in South Bound Brook, New Jersey, to honor his profound legacy. His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, with the blessing of Metropolitan Antony, led a solemn memorial service at Metropolitan Andrei’s graveside. This event was attended by clergy, faculty, and seminarians from St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary, including Protopresbyter Stephen Hutnick, Rev. Fr. Ivan Tchopko and Deacon Maksym Zhuravchyk.

Archbishop Daniel offered a reflection on Metropolitan Andrei’s life of dedicated service. Born in Ukraine, Metropolitan Andrei's ecclesiastical journey began with his pastoral service in Canada and later flourished in the United States. Elected and consecrated as a bishop for Ukrainian Orthodox Christians under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, he worked tirelessly to unite Ukrainian Orthodox Christians and to preserve their spiritual and cultural heritage. His efforts included securing Saint Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Jamaica, New York, as a spiritual home for the faithful.

Metropolitan Andrei’s vision extended beyond administration; his ministry was marked by profound pastoral care and a fervent commitment to uniting the faithful under a shared spiritual identity. His leadership was instrumental in fostering the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s growth, emphasizing unity, faith, and service.

As the prayers concluded, Archbishop Daniel emphasized Metropolitan Andrei’s enduring impact, particularly his love for his flock and dedication to the spiritual welfare of the Ukrainian diaspora. The gathered faithful offered heartfelt prayers, echoing the words, “May his memory be eternal!”

Metropolitan Andrei’s life remains a testament to the resilience of faith and the power of unity in Christ. His memory continues to inspire the clergy and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America.  

Metropolitan Andrei (Kuschak)

Ordained: 1932

Consecrated: 1966

Enthroned: 1983

Metropolitan Andrew was born in the town of Lezhakhiv in Galicia province, Austria-Hungary (now Leżachów, Poland). He attended secondary schools in Sieniawa, Jaroslaw, and the Ukrainian classical gymnasium in Peremyshl. From 1918 to 1920 he fought in the Ukrainian Galician Army of the West Ukrainian People’s Republic. At the end of the war he was interned for two years as a prisoner of war in Romania. After his release, he returned home and studied law at the Universities of Lviv and Kraków.

In 1928, Andrew Kuschak emigrated to Canada. He lived in Oshawa and Windsor, Ontario, as well as the gold mining town of Kirkland Lake in northeast Ontario. He was involved in the “Sich” Ukrainian Sporting Association. In 1932, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Athenagoras of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

In the mid-1930s, Fr. Andrew moved to the United States and joined the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America (Ecumenical Patriarchate) under Bishop Bohdan (Spilka). He served parishes in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and on Long Island in New York. He remained with Bishop Bohdan and the UOC in America parishes that did not join the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA after the “Unification Sobor” of 1950. 

After the repose of Bishop Bohdan in 1965, Fr. Andrew was nominated as his successor. He was consecrated in 1966 by Archbishop Iakovos assisted by Metropolitan Germanos and Bishop Silas at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan. In 1983, Bishop Andrew was elevated by the Ecumenical Patriarch and given the title of Metropolitan.  He reposed on November 17, 1986. Metropolitan Andrei Kuschak is interred at St. Andrew Cemetery in South Bound Brook, New Jersey.