Council on the theme of evangelizations in the Donets’k and Kharkiv Exarchate

Evangelization was the main theme of the Patriarchal Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church that took place in Lviv-Bryukhovychi on September 2-9, 2008. Exactly this Synod in its 20^th decision, as part of the preparation for the Patriarchal Synod of 2009, the theme of which also is evangelization, ordered that at the beginning of Lent in every eparchy and every exarchate be conducted a local council on the theme of evangelization. In the reply to this decision of the Synod, on March 4, 2009, a Council on the theme of evangelization took place in the Donets’k and Kharkiv Exarchate. The participants of the Council considered three themes: pastoral ministry and methods of evangelization by priests, the role of monastics, and the role of the laity in evangelization in the areas of eastern Ukraine. There were pronounced lectures on these themes which became the subjects for discussions during work in groups. Developed ideas and suggestions consequently will be passed to the Patriarchal Commission on Questions of Evangelization, which, on the basis of the collected materials, is to present to the Patriarchal Synod of 2009 suggestions in relation to the long-term plan of evangelization of the UGCC.

Information Department of the UGCC