In Zarvanytsia took place the Seventy Sixth Session of the Synod of Bishops of Kyiv Galician Supreme Archbishopric of the UGCC

In the synodal sessions participated all the active bishops of Kyiv Galician Supreme Archbishopric of the UGCC, except for Bishop Stepan (Menyok) who was absent for valid reasons. In the synodal sessions was also present the invited Bishop Milan (Shashik), eparch of Mukahevo Greek Catholic eparchy.

The main theme of this session of the Synod of Bishops of the Supreme Archbishopric was the praying life of the Church and liturgical questions. Before the synodal sessions, a special seminar on those issues was held, which had been prepared by the Patriarchal liturgical commission under the lead of the Bishop Venedyct (Aleksijchuk). The speakers at the seminar were the members of the Patriarchal liturgical commission: Fr  Vasyl Rudejko and Mr Maksym Tymo. Having carefully researched and discussed these questions, the Synod adopted decisions, which will enliven the praying life in the Kyiv Galician Supreme Archbishopric of the UGCC and will become significant elements for the realization of the Strategy of development of the UGCC for the period till 2020 "Vibrant parish - place to meet the living Christ."

At this session the Synod was working on a number of projects of the future church documents. In particular, they discussed and  adopted in the second reading the Pastoral advisor «Calling on the laity for the participation in the social-political life of the country"; they also approved of the didactic materials for the courses of constant formation of priests on the topic of the Holy Sacrament of Penance and recommended that the priests use them in their pastoral service; also, they approved in the first reading the Pastoral guidelines regarding Jordan visits.

The Synodal fathers discussed the issue of interconfessional relations, mainly in the context of the  latest events, which happened around the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady at the cemetery "Monastyrok" in Kolomyia, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast. The Synod confirmed that from now on the UGCC will continue doing everything possible in order to avoid forceful and interconfessional conflicts and that it doesn't aim at forceful seizure of churches or any other property.

Resolutions of the Seventy Sixth Session of the Synod of Bishops of Kyiv Galician Supreme Archbishopric of the UGCC

In the context of discussing the question about the work of the commissions of the Supreme Archbishopric of the UGCC, namely the Commission of the UGCC  "Justice and peace", reported its head  − Fr. Mykhailo Melnyk.

In the section of discussing other topics there was listened to and approved the report about the work of the Coordination Council on the issues of pastoral service in critical situations, which was prepared by its head − Bishop Bohdan (Manyshyn).

The Synod drew attention to the celebrations of the 100-th jubilee of revelations of Our Lady in Fatima  (Portugal) by the Catholic Church and addressed the parish priests with encouragement to hold novennas for peace in Ukraine and in the world and for the development of evangelization every 13th day of month, from July till October 2017.

In the section of economic questions, about the work and successes of the non-state pension fund "Pokrova" reported Fr Roman Nebozhuk, the head of the Council of this church-established institution.

It was resolved to hold the Seventy-Seventh Session of the Synod of Bishops of Kyiv Galician Supreme Archbishopric of the UGCC in December 2017.

Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops of Kyiv Galician Supreme Archbishopric of the UGCC