In Ternopil begins commemoration events dedicated to Patriarch Josyf Slipyj

Archbishop of Ternopil-Zboriv Vasyl (Semeniuk) approved the program of events dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the birth of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, which will begin the year of commemorating the patriarch in the Ternopil-Zboriv metropolitanate. The organizers are the administration of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy and the foundation Matter of Patriarch Josyf. Fr. Andrii Romankiv, Vicar General of Archeparchy, presented the events to the press at a press conference on January 30. The priest talked about the importance of the figure of Josyf Slipyj, “whose life was permeated with love for God, the Church and the Ukrainian people ... who shared the fate of many repressed Ukrainians and, being abroad, worthily represented the unfortunate Ukrainian people.” Fr. Romankiv called the year 2012 a commemorative year of recovering historical memory so that the faithful of the metropolitanate could further explore the figure of the patriarch and to follow his virtues. According to the vicar general, the documentary film The Patriarch will be broadcast February 1-16 for high school students in Ternopil at the Ukrainian house Peremoha (Victory). Then the students will be invited to participate in a contest to write an essay about their impressions from watching the film. The priest gave copies of the film to representatives of Ternopil TV channels to broadcast it and suggested roundtable discussions be held on air to allow the public to get better acquainted with the patriarch. February 13-16 – an exhibition of documents in Ternopil State Archives dedicated to the life and activities of Patriarch Josyf. February 17 – in the village Zazdrist, in the museum complex, the family estate of Patriarch Josyf, a Liturgy, prayer, and presentation of publications about Patriarch Josyf Slipyj and audio CDs for children. The event will be attended by seminarians of the Ternopil Patriarch Josyf Slipyj Seminary, teachers and intellectuals. Starts at 10:00. February 17 – official academy in the Ukrainian house Peremoha for high school students in Ternopil on the 120th anniversary of the birth of the Patriarch Josyf. On this day, Fr. Dr. Vitaliy Kozak and Fr. Volodymyr Kovalkovskyi will present academic papers, and students of the Ternopil education center Patriarch Josyf Slipyj Collegiate School will perform a concert. February 13-15 – Days of Spirituality “Torch of the Christian Faith”: competitions, quizzes, spiritual reading in Patriarch Josyf Slipyj Collegiate School. February 14 – Day of Pure Hearts at Patriarch Josyf Slipyj Collegiate School. February 16 – Day school Ternopil education center Patriarch Josyf Slipyj Collegiate School. February 19 in all parishes Ternopil-Zboriv Metropolitanate will read out the message of Archbishop Vasyl (Semenyuk) dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the birth of Patriarch Josyf.  

Eparchy Press Service

Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, Major Archbishop, Cardinal and Metropolitan (1944-1984) was exiled to the gulag; survived, and headed the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in exile for 20 years.