Bishops of UGCC and UOC-KP Take No Part in Ceremony of Consecration of Water in Lviv

On 19 January, in Lviv, a ceremony of consecration of water for the city was held with the participation of various denominations. The ceremony was led by Bishop Filaret of Lviv and Halych of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). Priests of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) attended the event whereas the bishops of UGCC and hierarchs of the Kyivan Patriarchate were absent.

According to Auxiliary Bishop Venedykt (Aleksiichuk) of Lviv of UGCC, the situation is due to the fact that this year it is the turn of representatives of UOC-MP to lead the joint event who “never serve in concelebration with anyone.”

“I would like to refer you to the mayor. I warned earlier that it would happen so. But we have local authorities which are in charge. The situation is commonplace and simple: two years ago, I led the Epiphany ceremony, last year, the Armenians did and I said a few prayers even though our Orthodox brethren told me that “consecration by monophysites is not valid.” This year, it is the turn of the Moscow Patriarchate who never serve in concelebration with anyone,” stressed Bishop Venedykt as he answered journalists’ questions at a lecture at the Ukrainian Catholic University on 22 January.  

According to the bishop, at least 70 % of the people at the square were Greek Catholics and therefore, the organizers of the consecration should take this into account.