Celebrations on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II continue in Lviv.
In particular, today, June 21, at 8:00 AM – an icon and relics of St. John Paul II were displayed for veneration in the Church of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos of the UGCC.
“This icon contains a piece of the blood of the holy pope, which was collected when an attempt was made on the pontiff's life on May 13, 1981. It's a first-degree relic. We use it, ask the saint for intercession, for peace, for a correct understanding of our life. So that we may walk the path of God's Commandments, but in fact walk the path that Christ Himself is,” said the priest of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Fr. Orest Fredyna.
At 11: 00, the photo exhibition "The Pope and Sykhov" in honor of John Paul II will be opened on the square near the Church of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos of the UGCC.
From June 21 to 27, the encyclical of St. John Paul II will be read out at the liturgies at 18:00 in the arch-Cathedral of St. George.
Various thematic events are held in the city's churches. In particular, in St. George's Cathedral, the faithful will be granted a full dismissal with the blessing of Pope Francis. And on June 23, Lviv residents will be able to join in a special prayer on the rosary, which once belonged to Pope John Paul II.
The program of celebrations on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II is quite extensive and consists of two parts: the municipal and ecclesial ones. Events are held by the UGCC together with the Roman Catholic Church.
An important event will be the solemn Academy. During this solemn Academy, which is being prepared by the Ukrainian Catholic University, people who joined the organization of the visit of Pope John Paul II will be remembered."
In addition, on June 23, at 19.00, those willing will be able to join in a special prayer on the rosary, which once belonged to Saint Pope John Paul II. The encyclical of Pope John Paul II will be read out daily from June 21 to 27. In addition, believers are encouraged to popularize the memorable date in social networks, and a special hashtag has been developed.
On June 27 at 11.00, the Divine Liturgy will be led by the head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav. The event will be broadcast by "LIve TV". Bike rides, lectures, and recollections are also organized from the parish. An icon with the relics of Pope John Paul II will be displayed for veneration.
On June 25, a festive concert will be held in the Metropolitan Basilica of the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the square near the Church of St. John Paul II of the RCC will show the theatrical performance "Pope in Lviv" from the Emmanuel theater. On June 26, a festive mass will be celebrated in the Church of St. Pope John Paul II of the RCC and consecrate a monument to St. John Paul II.
From June 24 to 28, a "mobile museum" will operate on the territory of the city of Lviv in the locations visited by Pope John Paul II, where one will be able to see the personal belongings of the Holy Father. They will also perpetuate the memorable date in an ecological way: on June 25, rare trees will be planted in the places visited by Pope John Paul II.
In June 2021, Ukraine celebrates the 20th anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II. During his stay in Lviv, the Holy Father Lived in the metropolitan chambers of the St. Jurassic complex, held a meeting with young people, consecrated the site for the construction of the Lviv Theological Seminary of the Holy Spirit and the Ukrainian Catholic University.
During the Pope's stay in Lviv, more than 2 million pilgrims took part in various events.