120 Thousand Pilgrims Pray in Zarvanytsia
On 4-15, July, in the Spiritual Center of the Holy Mary in the western Ukrainian village of Zarvanytsia, an all-Ukrainian and youth pilgrimage was held. It was reported to have been attended by approximately 120 thousand pilgrims from various parts of Ukraine and abroad. Some people walked hundreds of kilometers to get to the place. Pilgrims from the Khmelnytskyi Vicariate walked for about a week.
According to the Information Department of UGCC, the honorable guests of the pilgrimage were Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, Archbishop Thomas Edward Gullickson, Archbishop Elias Chacour of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Ordinary Bishop Anton Kosha of the Kyshyniv Eparchy of the Republic of Moldova, Metropolitans, archbishops, bishops of UGCC and the Roman Caholic Church in Ukraine and representatives of the authorities and various political forces.
One of the most elevated moments of the event was a candle procession from the parish church to the statue of Zarvanytsia Mother of God where Patriarch Sviatoslav served a public prayer to the Holy Virgin.
