His Beatitude Sviatoslav consecrated a cornerstone of a new UGCC Monastery in Kyiv

On Sunday, June 3, the Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav consecrated in Kyiv a cornerstone of the Pokrova Monastery of the Congregation of Sisters of the Holy Family. It is noteworthy that this consecration ceremony took place in the year when the Congregation is celebrating 100^th anniversary of its foundation.   Before the consecration of the cornerstone, the UGCC Primate presided at the Pontifical Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv. “Foundation of a new monastery is an important event for the Church, since another piece of heaven will shine among us” – said the Head of the UGCC in his sermon.   At the completion of the Liturgy, His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed his hope that in the future this monastery would become a General House of the Sisters. The Head of the UGCC thanked all the benefactors and people of good will who are helping the Sisters. In his words, today’s celebration is the good fruit of the benefactor’s sacrificial work. “These people follow after those who are poor in spirit and they rejoice at the fact that they can give more rather than receive,” – said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.   After the consecration of the cornerstone, the UGCC Primate said: “One of the elements of the rite of foundation of a new church building is a consecration and anointing with oil of a cornerstone which is laid down as the basis of the altar part. Liturgical theology points out that the cornerstone of the Church is Christ himself, and this consecrated stone is an image of Jesus Christ. We should be building our life upon the cornerstone which is Christ. According to St. Apostle Peter, we must be ‘the living stones upon which the whole building is built’. I wish for you, Sisters, that Christ may be the cornerstone of your life. If you rely upon him, you will never be shattered”.   Explicating further the rite of the consecration of the cornerstone, His Beatitude Sviatoslav said that God’s name was called upon this place today. “It is a reenactment of the gesture once made by the Patriarch Jacob, who anointed a stone after his dream and said: ‘Powerful is this place, it is nothing else but a House of the Lord and Heavenly Gates’. God help all those who will be praying here, who will be entering through these open gates to the Kingdom of God” – wished the UGCC Primate.   Sister Natalia Melnyk, the Head of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family, expressed her gratitude to God that today the cornerstone of the first Monastery outside of Galicia was consecrated. It is a sign that the Congregation is growing. “We are all well aware that without God we would be able to achieve nothing,” – said Sister Natalia expressing her gratitude also to the Head of the UGCC and to all the benefactors. UGCC Information Department.