Update from the Apostolic Exarchate in Great Britain

On Sunday, July 26, 2009, in all UGCC parishes in Great Britain, the day of Saint Volodymyr the Great was celebrated with a feast. The message from His Beatitude Lubomyr was read followed by the renewal of baptism vows, as per the request of the Head of UGCC. At the Cathedral Church of the Holy Family in London, Bishop Hlib (Lonchyna), Apostolic Administrator of the Exarchate in Great Britain, served the Divine Liturgy and greeted the faithful with the national holiday. Fr. Leo Goldaid, OSBM, Fr. Vasyl’ Ivaniv, CSSR, Fr. Roman Lahish, CSSR, and Fr. Dominic, CSSR helped the bishop to serve the liturgy.    During his sermon, Bishop Hlib read the message of His Beatitude and, at the end of the prayer service, explained the value of renewing baptism vows. After this ceremony, the priests blessed people with holy water. There were over 500 faithful in the church. On Tuesday, July 28, exactly on the day of Saint Volodymyr, the first council of priests with the new Apostolic Administrator took place in London. Eleven priests of the exarchate celebrated the Divine Liturgy with the bishop, also marking the 25^th anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Andriy Khoma, administrator of parish in Bolton. During the meeting of clergy, Bishop Hlib commented that, "Before the clergy of Great Britain stands a challenge to read the ‘signs of the times’ and to creatively approach the new needs of pastoral ministering. We live in an increasingly secularized world and a Christian light is needed to help people understand the Good New of Jesus Christ. We will work in this direction, so that we serve people, encourage them and support them." A discussion took place in the afternoon. After the greetings and introduction, there was a whole slew of questions of pastoral, canonical and economic nature. A few major topics included paying special attention to the old emigration (post-war), new (“fourth wave”), problems of youth, catechization and liturgical life of parishes. The festive day and meeting was concluded with further greetings and the singing of many happy years to the jubilate. From the time of his arrival in Great Britain, Bishop Hlib has visited the community in the city of Boldton on July 12, when the parish celebrated 25^th anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Andriy Khoma.  On July 23-24, the bishop visited the city of Oxford and a Benedictine monastery in Belmont, Herefordshire. He also plans to visit “Sum” and “Plast” camps.

Press-service of the Apostolic Exarchate in Great Britain