All Ukrainian Pilgrimage to Zarvanytsya (Sunday, July 19)

On Sunday, July 19, the spiritual program began with an Utrennja service in the Cathedral of the Mother of God of Zarvanytsya. Afterwards, the procession of bishops and priests took place from the Cathedral to the podium on the miraculous place, where they were joined by the President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko, who together with his family, took part in the All Ukrainian Pilgrimage to Zarvanytsya. In his speech, Victor Yushchenko expressed his reverence for the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church because, in his own words, “even during the darkest times [the Church] supported the nation and continues to carry out this mission today.” He observed that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the coming out of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church from the underground “when it was one of the primary forces for the liberation of Ukraine.” To this, he added that, “the state is obliged to recognize, and honestly evaluate, the historical repression the UGCC suffered along with other Ukrainian churches.” After the President’s speech, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy began, which was carried out by Reverend Bishop Ihor (Voznyak), Archbishop of Lviv, in the presence of Head of the UGCC His Beatitude Lubomyr. Speaking to the gathered pilgrims, His Beatitude Lubomyr explained the necessity for good priests through which the Divine nation can be blessed. As an example, he pointed out the constant stream of confessions in Zarvanytsya that thousands of pilgrims were taking part in. Afterwards, the Head of the UGCC asked Reverend Bishop Bohdan (Dzyurakh), to read out the Appeal of Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church on account of the day of Saint Apostolic Prince Volodymyr and the Baptizing of Rus’-Ukraine. The celebration ended with the blessing of water and religious attributes. Photos can be viewed at the following site: www.president.gov.ua.

Information Department of the UGCC