UGCC Head blessed the Church of St. Nicholas in Lviv

On June 9, 2013, UGCC Church Head His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) blessed the Church of St. Nicholas located by the monastery of the UGCC Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family in Lviv.

During the sermon at the Pontifical Liturgy on the Sunday of One Born Blind, the Church Primate noted that Christians should celebrate Sunday as the beginning of a new week, that is, the first day of a new creation  “because in ourselves we carry that strength which is capable of changing, transfiguring and illuminating everything. And Christ in His Resurrection is that light which illuminates and blesses every person who comes into the world,” explained the preacher.

He emphasized that when a person begins to live a deeply spiritual life, one becomes different.  “If a person sincerely believes in God, one passes this faith on to one’s own family, especially children. And such a family becomes new, because it undergoes a new creation,” stated UGCC Major Archbishop.

According to the words of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, it is through the prayers said during the blessing of the church that God the Lord builds it anew.  “God created this day, blessing and renewing this church, in order to wash us with you – Christ’s Church,” added the preacher.

UGCC Head also shared with those present, impressions of his recent trips visiting  Greek-Catholic parishes in Ukraine and the world.  “I visit many different communities: small and large, in Ukraine and beyond, and see the big act of rebirth which God is doing in the Church.  Our Church is growing and developing in the whole world.  Therefore, one recalls the words of Metropolitan Andrey (Sheptytsky), said already on his deathbed, that UGCC will be destroyed but awaiting it, is its resurrection and a new creation, and it will shine in its glory throughout the world.”

At the end UGCC Primate noted that this church has a special meaning for him. “I never thought that I would be blessing the Church of St. Nicholas.  I remember when once, then, Bishop Ihor (Vozniak) blessed me here for service.  I expect that this Church will become special because of the presence of God and St. Nicholas,” he concluded.

Then Rev. Orest Demko, chaplain of the Church of St. Nicholas by the monastery of the UGCC Congregation of Sisters of the Holy Family, thanked the head of the Church:  “The human efforts and their prayers today find their completion through the hierarchical hands of the Church Head.”

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