UKRAINIAN GREEK СATHOLIC CHURCH TO HOLD WEBINARS

KYIV – On Tuesday, June 29, at 4 p.m. the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s the first webinar will take place. The church will begin the series of online seminars through webinars on the theme “Unity Between the Orthodox and the Greek Catholics in the Theological Vision of Patriarch Joseph Slipyj.” As reports the Information Department of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), the director of the Institute of Church History of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Fr. Andriy Mykhaleyko, Ph.D., will conduct the webinar.

As Pope Benedict XVI noted in his message on the 44^th World of Communications Day, “God’s loving care for all people in Christ must be expressed in the digital world not simply as an artifact from the past, or a learned theory, but as something concrete, present and engaging. Our pastoral presence in that world must thus serve to show our contemporaries, especially the many people in our day who experience uncertainty and confusion, ‘that God is near; that in Christ we all belong to one another.’”
The purpose of establishing of the webinars is to propagate the Gospel with the help of the newest technologies. The first webinar of the UGCC will begin the cycle of online seminars devoted to the history of the church. A series of webinars on moral theology is being prepared.

All the webinars will be archived – they will be published on the website and will be accessible to the public at any time. Any wishes regarding the organization or subject of the webinars we ask to express on the forum of the UGCC at this link:
forum.ugcc.org.ua/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1875.

We ask all interested individuals to email a letter to the address webinar@ugcc.org.ua with the subject: Registration on Webinar. Please include your first and last name in the letter. Before the beginning of webinar you will receive your electronic address reference for connecting.
The webinars will last about an hour. The next webinar of the UGCC will take place in July of this year and will cover the Lviv pseudo-synod of 1946.

Background information. A webinar is an online event where one or more speakers can hold on the Internet or a corporate network seminars, meetings, and conferences for groups ranging anywhere from a few to a few thousand people. Webinars can include voting sessions and questioning, providing complete cooperation between the audience and the leader. During the webinars the software allows participants to see and hear the speaker and allows him to ask questions in text form. 

from RISU:   http://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/culture/religious_media_and_Internet/36253/

ALL-SAINTS OF RUS-UKRAINE

Blessed Martyrs of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in the 20th Century
Pope John Paul II beatified the 25 new Ukrainian martyrs in Lviv on June 27, 2001 on his visit to Ukraine.

1. Bishop Basil Velychkovskyi (1903-1973)
2. Bishop Gregory Khomyshyn (1867-1947)
3. Bishop Nicholas Charnetskyi (1884-1959)
4. Bishop Josaphat Kotsylovskyi (1876-1947)
5. Bishop Ivan Sleziuk (1896-1973)
6. Monsignor Peter Verhun (1890-1957)
7. Bishop Mykyta Budka (1877-1949)
8. Father Clement Sheptytsky (1869-1951)
9. Bishop Gregory Lakota (1883-1950)
10. Bishop Simeon Lukach (1893-1964)
11. Father Andrew Ishchak (1887-1941)
12. Father Vitalis Bairak (1907-1946)
13. Father Oleksii Zarytskyi (1912-1963)
14. Father Roman Lysko (1914-1949)
15. Father Severian Baranyk (1889-1941)
16. Father Nicholas Konrad (1876-1941)
17. Father Nicholas Tsehelskyi (1896-1951)
18. Father Ivan Ziatyk (1899-1952)
19. Father Emilian Kovch (1880-1941
20. Father Joachim Senkivskyi (1896-1941)
21. Sister Lavrentia Harasymiv (1911-1952)
22. Sister Olympia Bida (1903-1952)
23. Sister Tarsykiia Matskiv (1919-1944)
24. Volodymyr Pryima (1906-1941)
25. Father Zynovii Kovalyk (1903-1941

Summer Events--Mark Your Calendars

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

• June 27 – Baptismal Liturgy – Gabriel Pirianov
• June 26-27 – Ancaster Pilgrimage
• July 7 – Feast of Nativity of St. John the Baptist
• July 12 – Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
• July 17 – Rodrigo Paredes/Olena Pidzamecky Wedding
• July 19-23 – Fun in the Sun with the Saints Children’s Camp
• July 30 – Thomas Geraghty/Katarzyna Jarmola Wedding

• August 1 – Parish Praznyk – 2 p.m. (not 3, as in 2010 Calendar)
• August 2 – Feast of St. Elias – 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy
• August 14 – Dormition Fast begins
• August 19(6) – Feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord
• August 28(15) – Feast of Dormition of the Mother of God

Pope Benedict in Ukraine 2012?

THE VATICAN HAS YET TO GIVE A FINAL ANSWER ABOUT THE POPE’S VISIT TO UKRAINE IN 2012

LVIV – At the session of the 35th conference of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Ukraine, Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki reported that an invitation was sent to Pope Benedict XVI to visit Ukraine on the occasion of the completion of the all-Ukrainian Eucharistic Congress in 2012 and the 600th anniversary since the Roman Catholic Episcopal seat was moved from Halych to Lviv. RISU's Ukrainian-language website posted this story on May 26, 2010.
The acceptance by the Apostolic See of the invitation does not ensure that the visit of the pope to Ukraine will be made.  RISU was informed by the Apostolic Nunciature in Ukraine that the invitation to Pope Benedict XVI to visit Ukraine in 2012 will be considered by the Apostolic See in due time and the final decision will be announced after that.
Archbishop Mieczysław told RISU that the acceptance by the Apostolic See of an invitation to visit a country does not mean that the visit will definitely be made. As a rule, information about a visit of the pope is published by the Apostolic See a year before the visit.
Roman Catholic Church representatives hope that the response of the Vatican will be positive.

from:  http://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/vatikan/35844/

THANK YOU LETTER FROM FR. TARAS for all contributors to his 10th Anniversary Gift

Leave-taking of the Glorious Feast of Pentecost
Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Father Roman, Dobrodika Iryna, Father Proto-deacon David, Father Deacon Tibor and all the clergy and faithful of St. Elias the Prophet Parish in Brampton, Ontario

I write to express my heartfelt gratitude for the Christian love and generosity you shared with me on the occasion of my 10th Anniversary to the Ministerial Priesthood of Christ’s Holy Church. I was deeply moved and humbled by your graciousness of which I am so undeserving. Your gift of priestly vestments – which fit perfectly – are both beautiful for the service of the Holy Mysteries and very useful as I was in need of a set of lighter vestments for summer usage and which are easy to haul around with me in my sometimes extensive travels! Furthermore, the funds over and above the vestments are exceedingly generous! Be assured they will be used for the work of the Lord. Thank-you also for all the hospitality of food, drink, delicious cake and Mnohayalitstvo! And finally, I wish to thank Adriana Khemi and all those involved in the making of that beautiful card with all your personal signatures and well wishes. I ain’t much for hanging on to those kinda things, but this one’s a keeper!

As for me, after 10 years experience as a priest and monk, I can honestly say that the words of St. Paul, the Apostle ring true – especially in my life: “God chose what is foolish in the world…God chose what is weak in the world…God chose what is low and despised in the world…” and thus, if we boast, let us “boast of the Lord” (cf. 1Cor. 1:27-31).  Indeed, on this occasion and always, to Him be the glory!

That being said, I ask your continued prayers that now, after 10 years, I may at least start to begin to be a faithful priest and monk in joyful service of Christ and His Holy Church and that, in spite of myself, the Lord may do His wonderful works!

And, as for all of you at St. Elias, may you never grow weary, apathetic, complacent, lukewarm or secularized in practice of the Holy Catholic Faith that is our salvation. Rather, may the Lord of Life set your lives ablaze with the same prophetic ‘zealous zeal’ that filled your Holy Patron: zeal for the True Faith, zeal for the True Worship and zeal for the True Love of God and neighbor in Jesus Christ and His Holy Church, and may He continue to abundantly bless + each of you personally and together as a parish family, for your exceeding kindness to me, His unworthy servant. You shall always be in my heart.

Hieromonk Taras (Kraychuk)

Followup frm Fr. Borys Gudziak

FROM FR. BORYS GUDZIAK
UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSTIY- LVIV - UKRAINE
Followup to his visit by Security Service of Ukraine (formerly, the KGB) 


 

Dear Friends of UCU!

I would like to thank all of our friends and donors for the prayers and support! 

All of us at the Ukrainian Catholic University profoundly appreciate the letters, notes, posts, blogs, and calls that are coming directly to Lviv, through UCEF, EDUkraine, and through many associates and institutions who work with us closely or have an affinity to the principles that we stand for.

Valued encouragement is coming from simple people of faith, government officials in Ukraine and from different countries and continents, academic colleagues, theologians, Slavists, and political scientists, students, representatives of Ukrainian and international media, young and old!

I am especially thankful for the prayers of all bishops, priests, and consecrated men and woman, and for the Divine Liturgies and Masses offered for the protection and dignity of students of UCU and of Ukrainian society in general. 

Our community is touched and moved by the outpouring of support. 

Since this is a moral struggle concrete, personal, communal, and ecclesial signs of moral solidarity have tremendous effect.

Only through the communion of people of good will can the fear that invisibly envelopes Ukraine be overcome. 

We have before us a moral Chornobyl. 

You cannot taste, smell or feel the radiating repercussion of decades of violence. In the twentieth century some 17 million people were killed in Ukraine through World Wars, the genocidal man-made famine--Holodomor, the Holocaust, the purges and persecutions of communist and fascist regimes, and their policies of ethnic cleansing in territories of mixed nationality. 

The spiritual framework of society was shattered by the eradication of the Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and other religious structures and personal moral and social values.

Fear is profoundly embedded in the souls and psyches of Ukrainians:politicians, business people, academic leaders, and older generations who often pass it onto the young. It should be clear that the authorities are also living in fear, particularly of their own people.

The last two decades have only partially healed the scars of history. The meandering pilgrimage from the land of bondage to the promised land takes 40 years because two generations need to be born for the fear of slavery to be replaced by a renewed consciousness of God-given dignity. 

Today the fear is subcutaneous. A scratch brings it to the surface. An abused, beaten society finches even before the next blow lands.

That is why the process of healing will be a long one. Its most effective instrument will be patient love that reaffirms trust, the kind of interpersonal trust that replaces fear and that is the fabric of all authentic social, civic, business, political and family life.

The martyrs of Ukraine demonstrated that patience and perseverance leads to new life. They were formed by the teachings and examples of Andrei Sheptytsky and Josyf Slipyi and many other outstanding spiritual leaders.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which was completely outlawed for 2 generations was reduced from 2500 priest in 1939 to 300 mostly aged heroes of the catacombs in 1989. Today after twenty years of harvesting the fruits of the martyrs there are again 2500 priest and 800 seminarians for a population of 5 million Greek Catholic faithful.

It is important to be attentive to these signs.

The process of new formation has only begun.

The newest recognized martyr of the Catholic Church Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, whose beatification I had the privileged to participate in last Sunday in Warsaw also gives us strength.

A simple, dedicated assistant parish pastor, he was brutally tortured and killed in 1984 because he refused to stop preaching the Gospel in the face of ideological repression, violence, and injustice.

His words like the witness of the Ukrainian martyrs and all true disciples of the paschal Christ echo those of St. Paul: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good!" (Romans 12, 21).

May we be worthy of the example of our fathers and mothers in faith!

Thank you for your abiding solidarity in prayer and action!

God bless you!

Fr. Borys

"On Oil Lamps" Protodeacon David Kennedy

On Oil Lamps


The icon oil lamp generally consists of the following items: the lamp container usually of metal and hanging on three chains; the glass container which fits into the metal lamp; the fuel; the wick holder; and the wick.

• The metal lamp container should be suspended in such a manner that it will not be easily set ajar. The chains should be long enough that the disk above the lamp where the chains meet will not be heated by the flame of the lamp. Generally about 14” of chain will be safe. Keep lamps away from open windows and drafts as this can effect the burn rate.
• The glass container must be designed to fit securely into the metal lamp container. The glass must be of a quality that is heat resistant. The 15 hour vigil lamp designed for candle inserts works well. These can be obtained at church supply stores.
• The customary fuel is olive oil. A standard brand such as Gallo works well. It is not necessary to burn extra virgin oil; however olive oil with pumice does not burn well.
• There are a variety of wick holders. Cork float holders sink as the oil burns and thus the flame descends into the glass lamp. This heats the lamp and therefore a heat resistance lamp is most necessary with this type of wick holder. It is absolutely necessary to put about 1” of water into the glass lamp before the oil is added. If the wick holder descends too deeply into the glass lamp and there is no water at the base it will burn all the oil and may crack the glass lamp and or ignite itself. Caution: the cork that floats the wick holder will burn.
• A metal wick holder that rests on the top of the glass lamp and is extended across the diameter of the glass lamp works well. It should be about 4” or 10cm long. It is possible to hold the ends even while there is a flame as the heat will not radiate to the ends of the metal holder. This type of holder has a cylinder in the centre of the bar through which the wick is passed. The Church of the Nativity of Christ Old Rite in Eire, PA makes and sells metal wick holders. http://www.churchofthenativity.net/
• The wick for the above holders should be 100% cotton. It is a twisted wick of approximately 20 strands. [It can be purchased as kitchen string or cord in a dollar store.]
• The olive oil should be put into the glass and nearly brought to the top.
• The wick is cut to be 18” or 47cm long. Double the wick so it is 9” in length and feed the looped end through the cylinder of the wick holder. Push the wick through the cylinder by means of a second metal wick holder or a wide needle. The diameter of the metal wick holder is 2/16” or 3mm. The wick will feel tight in the metal wick holder. Pull about 2” of wick through the holder and then prime the wick by dipping the 2” end into the oil in the glass. Reduce the 2” end of the wick to about 3/16” or 4mm and drop the long end of the wick into the glass and let the wick holder rest on the top of the glass. The short end of the cylinder is up and the long end is closest to the oil in the glass.
• The best length for the burning wick is 3/16” or 4mm. If the wick is too short, the flame will not be sufficient; if it is too long the flame will smoke. A sure sign of a wick that is too long is a wick that develops a carbon head that looks like a leaf.
• Burn rate is effected by wick length and air flow. If the wick is too long the burn rate will be too fast and if the air flow is great the burn will be too fast. Generally, the above method burns well for about 10 hours. At this point the wick needs to be trimmed as it too short and the oil needs to be topped up. The wick pulls the oil upward and if the distance is too great the flame will self-extinguish. This is a good safety feature. Try to keep the oil near to the top of the glass when refilling.
• Over time the wick holder will get coated with oil and carbon. It can be cleaned by putting it into a pot with baking soda and bring the water to a boil and then down to a simmer. Let it stand at a simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove the wick holder with tongues. Use a small wire brush to clean the holder, rinse it under hot water, dry it and reuse. The above holders will last for many, many years if properly cleaned. [I have been using some holders for more than 20 years. A good $2.00 purchase.]
• When the holder is cleaned, clean the glass lamp as well. The metal lamp container can be cleaned with baking soda and simmering water. Use an old tooth brush so as not to damage the metal. Very, very fine steel wool can be used if the metal does not have a plastic coating. Over time the chains on the metal lamp container will attain a build-up of carbon.
• Above all keep lamps, especially burning lamps out of the reach of children, animals, and human traffic. Keep them away from open windows and drafts. Keep them away from fabrics, curtains, towelling, etc. Remember Murphy’s Law: if it can burn it will burn. A fire extinguisher is a handy tool – learn how to use one.