Helena Emilia Langevych (Ukrainian: Олена Лянґевич; 1881–1916) was a Ukrainian nun who led a group of Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great to the United States on November 28, 1911.[1] Langevych brought the sisters at the specific request of Soter Ortynsky OSBM, the Philadelphia-based first bishop for all Catholics in America who observed the Byzantine Rite.[2][3] He was concerned about what to do with Ukrainian orphans in the city.[4] Langevych is considered one of the founders of Manor College (originally named St. Macrina College).[5][6] She was also the first abbess of the monastery, which she established.[4][7]
Mother Helena Langevych OSBM | |
|---|---|
Олена Лянґевич | |
 | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | January 24, 1881 Zhovkva, Ukraine |
| Died | May 7, 1916 (aged 35) |
| Nationality | Polish-Ukrainian |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Her work grew to include newly arrived Ukrainian immigrants to the Philadelphia area. Matthew Smalarz calls her "the foundress of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great in America."[8] The Mother Helena Langevych Legacy Society is named in her honor.[9] Many of her papers are in the Falvey Library of Villanova University, mostly in Ukrainian.[10] She is sometimes referred to as Helen, or by her Christian name, Emilia-Helena.Her parents, Katarzyna Dashkevych and Michal Langevych, were Polish but lived in Ukraine.[4]
References
edit- ↑ Blinebury, Beth (March 8, 2017). "History: Basilian Sisters are testaments to the human spirit and the embodiment of Eastern Christian Spirituality". Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great.
- ↑ "Basilians—Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great (OSBM)," New Catholic Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia.com.
- ↑ "St. Basil Event a Big Success". Jenkintown Life. December 4, 2007. p. 3.
- 1 2 3 Davydova, Olena (July 31, 2024). "Ukrainian Basilian Nuns in Philadelphia". Philadelphianka.
- ↑ "Manor College 75th | These Three Women Created Manor's Vision". Manor College.
- ↑ "Metropolitan Borys Gudziak held meeting with the General Superior of the Sisters of Saint Basil". Archeparchy of Philadelphia. March 21, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Three Basilian Sisters Celebrate Golden Jubilees". The Times Herald (Norristown, Pennsylvania). July 11, 2013. p. 1.
- ↑ Smalarz, Matthew J. (2022). Manor College. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-4671-0717-4.
- ↑ Blinebury, Beth (March 8, 2017). "The Mother Helena Langevych Legacy Society". Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great.
- ↑ "Villanova Digital Library - Letter, To: Sister Olya From: Mother Helena Langevich, December 10, 1915. :: Digital Library@Villanova University". digital.library.villanova.edu. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
 | This biographical article about a Ukrainian religious figure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |