500 catechists participate in the All-Ukrianian Congress of catechists in Hoshiv

June 4, 2011 around 500 catechists – representatives of Eparchies and Exarchates from all our Ukraine – took part in the Congress convoked on the occasion of 20^th anniversary of catechetical ministry. The Head of the UGCC His Beatitude Sviatoslav blessed the Congress. The aim of the meeting was to help the public “understand the importance of Christian upbringing through catechization of children, youth and adults; finding common grounds for growing up in faith” – notes Rev. Mykhailo Harvat, the Head of Catechetical Commission of the Major Archbishopric of the UGCC. In the Congress participated representatives of Kyiv and Lviv Archeparchies, Ivano-Frankivsk, Sokal-Zhovkva, Kolomyia-Chernivtsi, Stryi, Sambir-Drohobych, Ternopil-Zboriv and Buchach eparchies as well as Lutsk and Odessa-Crimea exarchates. The Congress was also attended by the guests from Germany. After the Divine Liturgy a scientific conference took place. Bishop Bohdan (Dzyurakh), Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC and the Head of the Administration of Patriarchal Curia, delivered a speech “The Word of God – the source of catechesis”. Thereafter a press-conference took place. Before the supper the participants prayed a Moleben to Jesus Christ at the end of which Rev. Mykhailo read a greeting from His Beatitude Lubomyr and from Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the UGCC. After that Bishop Bohdan met with the Heads of Eparchial catechetical commissions who presented him various propositions to be considered at the next Synod. At the end of the day each catechetical commission made a presentation about its activity followed by night vigil. On Sunday 5 May Bishop Bohdan (Dzyurakh) presided at the Pontifical Divine Liturgy. Together with him were concelebrating Bishop Taras (Senkiv) – Apostolic Administrator of Stryi Eparchy and a numerous clergy. Around four thousand pilgrims joined the prayer for those who carries God’s Word and listens to it. After that those who diligently perform their catechetical ministry were rewarded with honorary diplomas from the Patriarch. All-Ukrainian Congress of the catechists was concluded with spiritual-artistic performance.

Reported by Ivanna Ryzhan

for the UGCC Information Department