Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul consecrated in Lviv

Today in Lviv on the occasion of 20th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was opened and consecrated. 

The consecration of the church was performed by Archbishop of Lviv Ihor (Vozniak) in concelebration with Bishop Mykhail (Koltun), head of the Patriarchal Curia Department for Pastoral Care in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and military chaplains. The opening of the church was attended by government officials of the city and region, Lieutenant General Pavlo Tkachuk, rector of the PetroSahaidachny Academy of Ground Forces, officers, cadets, and faithful.

The archbishop and metropolitan of Lviv expressed gratitude to Fr. Stepan Sus, director of the Center for Military Chaplaincy of the Lviv Archeparchy of the UGCC, who was responsible for providing the military with a church to meet their spiritual needs. Bishop Vozniak also thanked the rector of the military academy, who made sure the church was ready as soon as possible for worship. It should be noted that with the help of the military over 90 truck loads of books from the Stefanyk Library were removed from the church. “We understand the value of each book and wish that they all remain in good condition and serve the people,” said the bishop. “This is a big step toward the introduction of military chaplaincy into the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” says Fr. Stefan Sus. “Almost every countryhas garrison churches – it is an expression of the fact that the army is formed not only on strength and the virtue of valor, honor and glory, which are propagated in the military environment, but also on spiritual, Christian values. A warrior, brought up on these values, has a strong body and spirit and is ready to defend his homeland.”

Fr. Sus said that for a long time the library was waiting for the books to be transported to another place, so this event is also important for the academic establishment. “I think we made ​​two important steps: saved books, which readers have not seen for 65 years, and opened the church, which is spiritual nourishment for all believers,” said the director of the Center for Military Chaplaincy. On behalf of the episcopate of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, chief military chaplain Fr. Grzegorz Draus congratulated all present. In his greeting he stated that this church will serve in a special way for prayers and the spiritual formation of military members and their families.

For the military the church will always be opened, and for other believers who want to meet with God, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated every day.

Photo report  

Fr. Pavlo Drozdiak
Press Secretary of the Lviv Archeparchy of the UGCC