Solemn closing of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC and celebrations on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration in Brazil

On Sunday, 11 September 2011, in Curitiba, Brazil, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, presided at the Pontifical Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the solemn closing of the 2011 Synod of Bishops of the UGCC as well as celebrations of the 120^th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration in Brazil. With His Beatitude concelebrated the members of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC and numerous priests from Ukraine and abroad.      In his homily, the UGCC Primate told the history of the Ukrainians in Brazil in the light of the parable of a vineyard. “Similarly to a biblical vineyard, which was the people of God of the Old Testament, in our days, all the faithful of our Church became this vineyard planted by God’s Providence on Brazilian soil, and the workers of that vineyard became priests, catechists and all those entrusted by God to take care of it. Today we would like to render the good fruits of this vineyard into the hands of God the Father along with our prayer of gratitude for His Love and Care for our people here in Brazil over the last 120 years”   Addressing the youth in Spanish language, His Beatitude Sviatoslav called them “the future of our Church in Brazil encouraging them to preserve the holy faith and pass it on to the future generations”.   In his thank you word at the end of the Pontifical Divine Liturgy, Bishop Volodymyr (Kovbych), Eparch of Curitiba, thanked His Beatitude Sviatoslav for having decided to convoke the Patriarchal Sobor and the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in Brazil. On behalf of the congregation, Bishop Volodymyr wished the Head of the UGCC “to guide on the paths of truth and love the people of God entrusted him for many years” after which followed “Mnohaia lita” in Ukrainian and Portuguese.   The Liturgy was attended by Bishop Rafael Bienarski – Auxiliary Bishop of Curitiba Diocese, Bishop Walter Ebezher – Bishop-emeritus of the Diocese of Union de Vittoria, Mr. Ihor Hrushko – Ambassador of Ukraine to Brazil, Ms. Larysa Myronenko – Consul of Ukraine in Curitiba and other state and civil dignitaries.  

Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC