Monument to the Heroes of ATO and Maidan to rise in UGCC Zarvanytsia spiritual center

In one of the spiritual centers of Ternopil region a monument to the heroes of Heaven’s Hundred and ATO soldiers will be erected.

A memorial chapel will be built in Zarvanytsia. Here the spiritual Marian center of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is located.

The cornerstone for the construction of monuments was blessed by head of the UGCC Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk).

The memorial to be located near the Cathedral of Our Lady in Zarvanytsia, according to the press service of Ternopil-Zborivsk Archdiocese of UGCC.

RISU reference: Zarvanytsia is the most significant pilgrimage Marian center of the UGCC. Zarvanytsya village is located on the territory of Ternopil region, Terebovlya district.

After the destruction of Kyiv by Tatar-Mongols in 1240, one of the monks who escaped during the destruction of the city had a vision of the Virgin at the Strypa River, who sent him this icon as a memory. The monk arranged a hermitage with a chapel there, and the icon quickly became famous because of its wonders. Shortly people began settling down near the monastery, attracted by this sign of God's grace, and a monastery was constructed. Since that time, Zarvanytsia has been highly respected by many pilgrims so far - the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Zarvanytsia dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1742, Metropolitan Athanasius Sheptytsky of Lviv crowned another image of Zarvanytsya sanctuary, which also became famous for its miracles – of the crucified Jesus. In 1867, the miraculous icon of St Mary with Child was crowned too, and through the efforts of Cardinal John Simeodi Pope Pius IX gave Zarvanytsia wide privileges. In 1944, the communist authorities burned the wooden church, and two years later, they destroyed the monastery. The spring near the ruined Chapel of Apparitions was fenced with barbed wire, and on indulgence days police barriers were set to prevent people getting in the place of the shrine. Despite this, the pilgrimages did not stop, and the priests secretly served Liturgies at homes. In 1991, the revival of Zarvanytsia began; donations came from all over Ukraine and the world - an eloquent proof of the great spiritual significance of this place to every Ukrainian Greek Catholic.

Today the nationwide Greek Catholic pilgrimages come to Zarvanytsia, from April to November representatives of various dioceses and regions of Ukraine, government and specialized agencies (e.g., customs officials, educators, Ministry of Interior officials, farmers, military servicemen) and altar service, ecclesial movements and communities assemble there.