Ukrainian immigrants from all over Italy will make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Paul the Apostle

The Pontifical Divine Liturgy in the Basilica of Saint Paul (starting at 10.30) will be headed by Bishop Dionysus (Liakhovych), the Apostolic Visitor for Ukrainian Greek Catholics in Italy and Spain, in concelebration with the national coordinator for the pastoral care in Italy, Fr. Marko Yaroslav Semehen and pastors of the UGCC in Italy.

This pilgrimage will be attended by the representatives of the foundation "Migrantes" of the Italian Episcopal Conference, by Ukrainian diplomats, by the superiors general of monastic orders. It is expected that a large number of pilgrims will arrive from different regions of Italy. Moreover, to participate in the National Pilgrimage were invited numerous Italian and other faithful from abroad, so as, under the patronage of Apostles of the peoples,  as one people of God, to praise and to deeply experience the spiritual meeting with the newborn Baby Jesus.

"Basilica, which is located in the "Ostiense" region of Rome, was erected in honor of the Apostle to the Nations, and is one of the four "major", or papal, basilicas of Rome, through which the Pope exercises his pastoral ministry «in urbe» (to the city), but primarily «in orbe" (to the world). For all of the people working, both for clergy and laity, of the church of the Pope, this is a great honor to make the necessary effort, so as the basilica with its five naves, chapels and the outer space could receive the faithful of different nationalities", - this is stated in a message about the National pilgrimage of Ukrainians  on the website of the Basilica of Saint Paul.

Let us remind that the last year's Christmas Pilgrimage of the UGCC in Italy was held in the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican on the occasion of the acceptance by the Holy Father Benedict XVI of the gift from Ukraine - the Christmas tree. The above mentioned pilgrimage was attended by the 6000 faithful.

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Church of Saint Paul Outside the Walls – is one of the four "major", or papal, basilicas Rome. The first church, on the burial place of Paul the Apostle, was laid back by the emperor Constantine. At the end of the IV century, the emperor Theodosius I started the construction of the basilica, which came down to our time, suffering, however, numerous reorganizations and changes. In 2006, under the altar of the temple, scientists have found a marble sarcophagus with the inscription "Paul - an apostle martyr". Studies over the residues, which are inside the sarcophagus, showed that they may belong to a man who lived in the first century after Christ.

The most convenient way to get to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (00146 - Roma / Via Ostiense, 186) by the underground - Linea B (in the direction of «Laurentina»). Get off at the stop «Basilica di San Paolo». You can get there by bus number 23 (in the direction "Pincherle / Parravano"). Get off at the stop «Ostiense / LGT S. Paolo ». Or by bus N 271 (Via A. di S. Giuliano / Viale di S. Paolo). Get off at the last stop «S. Paolo ».

The press-service of UGCC in Italy