“Bishop Ivan (Margitych) – a symbol of the unity of the Mukachiv Eparchy of GCC and UGCC,” Head of UGCC in Zakarpattya

Bishop Ivan is known as one who yearned for the union of the Mukachiv Eparchy (Ecclesia sui juris) and UGCC. For his activities in the life of his region he became known as “the people’s bishop.” This year is the tenth anniversary of his  passing away.

“Today we want to remember those who nurtured the tie of unity between GCC Mukachiv Eparchy and UGCC . The symbol of that unity was Bishop Ivan who was a member of UGCC Synod of Bishops,”   said UGCC Head in his sermon after the Panakhyda (audio). The Church Primate also thanked  all who  keep his memory alive and also popularize his ideas, thoughts and issues: “The Eastern Church has a special mission – to nurture unity among Christians. Today we would like to attest our respect to those in Zakarpattya who feel themselves as Ukrainians. After all, the Mukachiv Eparchy unites people of various nationalities.”

As the speaker stated, Ukrainian people are indivisible and it is exactly the Church which guarantees its unity. “May the bright memory about Bishop Ivan inspire us to contemplate how to realize that which he bequeathed to us,” concluded UGCC Head.

On the previous day, UGCC Head participated in the consecration of Bishop Nil (Lushchak), the Auxiliary Bishop of  Mukachiv Greek-Catholic Eparchy which took place in the Uzhhorod Greek-Catholic Cathedral of the Ascension.

UGCC Department of Information