UGCC Head participated in the celebration of the 490th Jubilee of Chortkiv, Ternopil oblast

In the city Chortkiv, the seat of the Bishop of the Buchach Eparchy, on the Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul, a significant event was celebrated – the 490^th anniversary of its founding. In addition to many civic activities, the city also held a massive spiritual-prayerful event, attended by His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), UGCC Head. On the occasion of the Jubilee of Chortkiv and the Cathedral Feast of the Preeminent Apostles Peter and Paul, the UGCC Primate headed a Solemn Divine Liturgy was held,. Co-celebrants were Bishop Dmytro (Hryhorak), Eparch of Buchach, curia clergy of the Buchach Eparchy, Rev. Andriy Romankiv, Protosinkel of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy, Basilian Fathers and priests from various eparchies.  The Liturgy was attended by religious orders and a large number of  lay people, many of whom came from different parts of Ukraine.  The faithful were joined in prayer by the representatives of the city and regional administration, political factions, philanthropists.  The Cathedral Choir, conducted by Ivan Kikis, sang during the service, reported Buchach Eparchy Press Office. The reading of the Gospel was followed by a homily by UGCC Primate (audio).   In it the hierarch explained the read Word of God, tracing the invaluable contribution of Sts. Peter and Paul in establishing and developing Christianity.  In His Beatitude’s interpretation, Apostle Peter became  “a symbol of unity and  inviolability of the Church and purity  in  the apostolate.”  He continued by discussing the spiritual formation of  Saul, who eventually took the name Paul,  becoming the apostle of nations. The preacher described that both apostles died a martyr’s death in Rome and  therefore they are remembered on the same day.  Their inseparability is simultaneously a symbol of the unity of  Christ’s Church.  It is this unity, underscored the Primate, that makes it strong.  Then His Beatitude underlined that the successors of the apostles are the Holy Father and the Bishops.  This is also an example of unity and continuity. Therefore, the Prelate said, “we are called upon to bear witness to this unity.”  He also stressed that it is important that the faithful obey the bishop since this is “a guarantee of peace and harmony in the eparchy.”  In summary, His Beatitude Sviatoslav stated, “Our mission is to be great gifts of God for the Church and in the Church.”  He ended his sermon with the words, “Apostle Paul, help us to burn with your Spirit -- just as you burned -- and to be the carriers of God’s Word.” After the Liturgy, the choir sang the traditional “Mnohaya Lita” [May God Grant You Many Years] for the Holy Father, UGCC hierarch and all present. Mutual acknowledgements and greetings followed;  Bishop Dmytro thanked His Beatitude Sviatoslav for coming to Chortkiv and for his pastoral care for the Buchach Eparchy,  well evidenced by several visits that the UGCC Head has already made to the seat of the eparchy. The celebration ended with the blessing of water, sprinkling all  present with the blessed water and blessings by His Beatitude Sviatoslav and Bishop Dmytro. The prayerful celebration of the city jubilee provided another opportunity to acknowledge once again how developed Chortkiv is in its spiritual-religious realm. Today there are six Greek-Catholic parishes, three monasteries (Basilian Fathers, Sisters of the Holy Family and Sisters – Myrrh Bearers) and various Christian groups and organizations.  Additionally, on July 1, the founding stone was laid and blessed for the construction of a new church for the Parish of the Beatified Martyrs, whose faithful in the meantime pray in a small chapel. Photo album

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