In the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ the Rite of Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Vasyl’ (Tuchapets) took place

The Chief Sanctifier became the Father the Head of the Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) and cosanctifiers were Bishop Stepan (Menyok), Exarch of Donetsk, and Bishop Vasyl’(Medvit), Bishop emeritus of Donetsk and Kharkiv Exarchate.

First Bishop Vasyl’ confessed his faith three times. Then the Rite of Episcopal Ordination took place, at the end of which the newly ordained bishop was dressed in Episcopal vestments. Then His Beatitude Sviatoslav gave to Bishop Vasyl’ the hierarchical rod - a symbol of his power.

"Today we have witnessed the consecration - the birth of another successor of the apostles. And perhaps the ordination on that day shows that it is Evangelist John, who reveals to us the mystery of the person of newly ordained Bishop Vasyl’"- said His Beatitude Sviatoslav to the faithful during a sermon.

He reminded that the bishop – is a man who should preach the word of God. Speaking of John the Evangelist, the Primate said that John gave it the deepest definition of who our God is. God is Love, who is in God - he is in love.

Speaking of Bishop Vasyl’, the Archbishop marked his reticence. "Knowing Bishop Vasyl’, I can say that he is taciturn, he doesn’t speak much, but says much. And there is some similarity of the gift that God gave him, with the person of John the Theologian", - added His Beatitude.

Church sends Bishop Vasyl’ today to our glorious Sloboda Ukraine, to Kharkiv. "He has to go through, as John the Evangelist, the way of his teacher to the end. Be with him when all fled. Be a witness of Christ’s passion as well as a glorious preacher of His joyful resurrection. As someone who first believe in the risen Christ, who is present in the new Kharkiv Exarchate", - said the Head of the Church.

Today we entrust Bishop Vasyl’ to the special patronage of the Virgin. "Let her through the testimony of thy filial giving will be known among your people as the Mother of every Christian believer's heart" – the Primate wished the Bishop.

Thanking for the gift of the person of Bishop Vasyl’, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked his parents, who watched the sacrament of ordination with the words of joy."Thank you for bringing up your son, teaching him to love Jesus Christ. Let the love of your son become a great power of Love of God Church" - wished the Primate.

He noted that the Church asks the Lord to call Bishop Vasyl’ his favourite student.

At the ordination was also the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, Thomas Edward Gullickson.

"It seems that this is indeed the Holy Spirit inspired the decision of the Synod of Bishops, in such a difficult time for all the people to take care of the pastoral needs of Kharkiv and the north-eastern part of Ukraine, appointing Bishop Vasyl’ Kharkiv Exarch. I pray for the presence of Bishop Vasyl’ to give pleasure to the congregation of Christ and the new bishop to be a strong help in proclamation of apostolic faith in the region"- wished the Apostolic Nuncio.

 He assured the proximity of Pope Francis and his apostolic blessing.

In his thanksgiving speech Bishop Vasyl’ thanked everyone who had to do with his upbringing and the priesthood, especially his parents.

"I sincerely thank God for this great trust that He gives me today. This day I also feel great excitement before a big responsibility", - said Bishop Vasyl’.

The Hierarchical Liturgy was led by His Beatitude Sviatoslav. Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, Thomas Edward Gullickson, Lviv Metropolitan Igor (Voznyak), Ivano-Frankivsk Metropolitan Volodymyr (Viytyshyn), Ternopil Metropolitan Vasyl’ (Semeniuk), Bishop Bogdan (Dziurakh), Bishop Ken (Novakivskyi) , Bishop Milan (Shashik), Bishop Vasyl’ (Ivasyuk), Bishop Dmytro (Grygorak), Bishop Stepan (Menyok), Bishop Vasyl’ (Medvit), Bishop Josyph (Milian), Bishop Josaphat (Govera), Bishop Venedyct (Aleksiychuk), Bishop Mikhaylo(Bubniy), Bishop – nominatus Bogdan (Manyshyn) coserved with him.

To the ordination of Bishop Vasyl’ (Tuchapets) came more than a hundred priests, representatives of St.Basil the Great of Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, fathers rectors of seminaries from around the world.

UGCC Department of Information