Head of UGCC in Krekhiv: “Today we thank God for 400 years of restoration of Basilian order”

Monday, 22 May 2017, 11:28

The restoration of Basilian Order 400 years ago was, definitely, a state and nationally forming power that has always been enlightening a way for our people, maybe, in the thickest darkness of the historical existence. Head and Father of UGCC His Beatitude Sviatoslav said on 21st of May, 2017 during the pilgrimage to Krekhiv monastery of Saint Nicholas.

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This year, on May 20-2, as it was the previous years, on occasion of celebrating a feast of Translation the Relics to Bari of St. Nicholas of Myra, monastery of Krekhiv having this saint as a patron, greeted today numerous pilgrims from Ukraine and abroad.

This year celebration was held within marking 400^th anniversary of Basilian order of Saint Josaphat.

“We gathered here, in this ancient monastery, first of all, to watch and celebrate among us a presence of a great father, great saint of Christ’s Church – Saint Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra”.

According to His Beatitude, image of this saint shows us that saint people are those who make a history. Saint people are those who can be real guides of their people and Church. “That is why we glorify saint Nicholas today and ask so our Church may never lack saints who will make a modern history of our Church and people”, the preacher mentioned.

With this pilgrimage we would also like to celebrate 400 years of restoration of ancient monastic order of Kyiv Church in Basilian order. “Behind this significant historical event stands Josyf Veliamyn Rutsky – a great precursor of mine, who gifted and restored for our Church that kind of monasticism which has been a light for our people since the beginning of Christianity, enlightening all ends of East Europe with a light of Gospel”, His Beatitude Sviatoslav reckons.

Today we thank God for seeing this monastic community being restored by Veliamyn Rutsky shining with a light of holiness in such a generous way. “This year we commemorate, - the preacher proceeded, - and going to celebrate 150 years of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych, Great-Martyr who is resting these days in basilica of saint Peter in Rome. We also thank for all known and unknown martyrs of our Church, who came out from this Basilian community. We thank for good missioners who, following the voice of a good shepherd of a righteous metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, went to the endless fields of Western Canada and North America, to deep forests of Brazil and Argentina. And, by virtue of their holiness, our people who owing to the force of historical circumstances were spread around the world without being lost but preserving their roots, that’s why having a light life”.

“I want this pilgrimage and a jubilee year of Basilian order become to all of us, to our monasticism, consecrated men and women’s congregations a Pool of Siloam, where we all can be washed and regenerated”, Head of UGCC said.

The preacher also said about his intention to pray for those who owing to the force of people’s choice are the leaders of Ukrainian people. “I will pray for them not wandering in darkness and not leading us into another pit, so God gives us such leaders who are good Christians. Those, who will put Christian belief above everything in their lives”, His Beatitude Sviatoslav wished Ukrainians.

The UGCC Department for Information