“In this ancient Cathedral in Lviv, I want to highlight one more form of Christian unity – ecumenism of meetings,” UGCC Head

On June 8, 2013, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), UGCC Head, participated in an ecumenical prayer which was held in the Armenian Cathedral as part of the

Night at Church Festival in Lviv.  Participating in the ecumenical prayer were: Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity;  Archbishop Grigoris (Buniatyan) Head of the Ukrainian Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church;  Bishop Mieczysław (Mokrzycki),  RCC  Metropolitan of Lviv;  Bishop Venedykt (Aleksiychuk), Auxiliary Bishop UGCC Lviv Archeparchy; Bishop Borys (Gudziak), Bishop of UGCC Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great in Paris.

“During these days we together with His Eminence Kurt Koch and our Orthodox brethren have been thinking about how today in Ukraine we can build unity among Christians.  We talked about many expressions of ecumenism: spiritual, martyrs, the Sacrament of Baptism.  However, in this ancient Cathedral in Lviv, I want to highlight one more mode of Christian unity – the ecumenism of meetings,” stated His Beatitude Sviatoslav in his remarks.

According to the Church Prelate, when two people meet, one can consider that two universes meet, and sometimes even two different spiritual experiences, people and Churches.  In his words, such a meeting can become a moment of mutual enrichment and an opportunity to be together.

“The visit of His Eminence in June to Lviv reminds us that 12 years ago Blessed Pope Paul John II visited Lviv,” continued UGCC Head.  UGCC Major Archbishop also noted that for a long time in this Armenian Cathedral there were icons stored and it was closed to the faithful.  However, when the Roman Pope was coming to Lviv, this church was once again opened to the faithful.  “I wish that this meeting becomes a meeting of transfiguration, which changes us and gives us the opportunity to be together and to build unity among Christians,” concluded UGCC Head.

His Eminence Kurt Koch in his remarks emphasized that Christians should join together in praying and praising God.  “Prayer is the foundation of the ecumenical movement.  Throughout our lives we should bear witness of God.  I am grateful for this evening of prayer.  I hope that this meeting bears the fruits of unity,” he said.

Notation:  In Lviv on June 7-9, there was an evangelization-pastoral festival-project Night at Church.  The program included excursions in churches, concerts and the opening of John Paul II Mobile Museum.  This effort, done within the framework of European Days of Christian Heritage, was to demonstrate that Europe is Christian.

UGCC Department of Information