The all-Ukrainian Science Research Conference for youth “God's people - Royal Priesthood of God!” was conducted in Chernivtsi

The conference started off with the ecumenical prayer. The participants were welcomed by: the Vicar of the UGCC of Bukovyna, Fr. Valery Syrotiuk; the rector of university Church of the Three Saints (UOC-KP), protosyncellus Mykola Shcherban as well as the Associate Professor of the Department of Religious and Theological Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology of Chernivtsi National University, Mykola Shkriblyak.

Moreover, the greetings were received from the head of the Ukrainian Patriarchal Society (USA), from the head of the Editorial Board of the journal "Patriarchate", from Roma Hayda, who is the Honorary President of the Federation of Societies "Obnova", who used the words of Patriarch Josyph Slipyj: "Be Yourself!" to urge all parties to be mature and responsible Christians. For the representatives of Obnova of Lviv, Ternopil, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chortkiv as well as for the young scientists and students of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology of the Chernivtsi National University, this conference became an opportunity to reflect on their mission in life and in the development of Church.

Within the frames of the plenary session of the conference, on the 3^rd of November the scientific reports were taking place; their topic was the participation of the faithful people in the Liturgy as well as the place of the Church in modern society and its response to the challenges of the XXI century. Participants and guests of the conference also heard about the basics of church law regarding the laity and about how to become members of the Church through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

After the lunch break, there were organized: the professional guided tour over the territory of the former residence of Bukovyna metropolitans, which was carried out by Diana Postolaki-Kostash and the concert of the choir of the university church of the Three Saints (supervisor: Ihor Lutsan, the deacon and the lecturer in the Department of Theology in KPBA). Also the report, which was sent by Olena Bidovanets, who is the President of the Federation of Ukrainian Catholic Academic and Student societies "Obnova", was delivered to the listeners; this report was named “”Obnova” as the party responsible for the royal priesthood of God or how much is needed to dissolve three measures of leaven”, and was delivered by Mrs. Sofiya Kernychna (Administrative Assistant of the External Affairs of FUCAST “Obnova”).

During the breakout sessions there were the topical issues of the heterogeneity of services in the Church discussed; in more details were considered the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, another issue that was elucidated was the Royal ministry of layman to God. In the evening, the Acathistus to the Mother of God, the “Hope to Hopeless”, was sung. As the senior priest in the Cathedral Church of the Assumption, Father Valeriy Syrotiuk, pointed out, "all participants had the opportunity not only to be the participants in scientific conferences, but also to be the pilgrims to Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God in Chernivtsi".

This was not an end to this evening program – the representatives of Obnova of Chernivtsi invited the guests to the celebration of the XIV anniversary of the Society, which was held in the Student Club of the Creative Youth "Kontact".

On Sunday, the 4^th of November, the Liturgy at the Cathedral Church of the Assumption was held. Afterwards, Father Valeriy Syrotiuk welcomed the participants of the federative conference again, in particular the representatives of Obnovlya, who implement the “Christian scholarly elite”, drew attention to the conference organizers and blessed the new Board of the "Obnova" Chernivtsi, headed by Roman Hamaniuk. Moreover, there was a blessing of the church banner of Obnovlya, with the icon of our patron - Archangel Michael being embroidered on it.

Hacing summed up the work in the thematic groups, the head of the Chernivtsi branch of "Obnova" presented certificates to the participants.

Based on the results of the All-Ukrainian Scientific-Research Conference for youth, the collection of material from thesis and reports of participants was published.

Prepared by Oleksandra Khukhlina