In Ternopil-Zboriv Eparchy the Year of Vocation to Consecrated Life Celebrated

The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on December 5, 2009, declared the year 2010 the Year of Christian vocation with an emphasis on the vocation to consecrated life.  On this occasion, on August 21, the pilgrimage of consecrated persons to Zarvanytsia was held with the participation of monks and nuns from the Ternopil-Zboriv Eparchy. Before the pilgrimage, the consecrated persons took part in the Divine Liturgy at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Ternopil. Upon receiving the bishop’s benediction, they along with Bishop Vasyliy (Semenyuk) of the Ternopil-Zboriv Eparchy began the pilgrimage. Upon arrival in Zarvanytsia, the monastics took part in a conference “Consecrated Life in Ministry of Church” which was held for them by Fr. Yustinian Horodechnyj, sinkel in the matters of monasticism of the Ternopil-Zboriv Eparchy. After the conference, the monastics went to the local sacred place where they were met by Bishop Vasyliy. After singing solemn Vespers, the monks and nuns took part in the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. At the night consecrated persons with lit candles walked to the spring. Bishop Vasyliy carried out the rite of blessing water.  The next morning, Sunday’s Matins were sung in the cathedral, after which a Holy Liturgy began with the intention of the new vocation to monasticism and for endurance in vocation. Later in the conference hall the monastics were presented their orders and communities. At the meeting there was a concert performed by children from the orphanage in the village Bibrka, which the sisters of the community of the Holy Family take care of. After the pilgrimage a Road of the Cross and prayer for the deceased monks and nuns took place.

Informed Fr. Yoakym Kovalchuk, OSBM