Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), finished his pastoral visit to Lutsk Eparchy. From March 26 to 31 he visited different parishes in Lutsk, Rivne, Volodymyr-Volynsky and other cities. This event is connected with the upcoming anniversary - five years of the establishment of the Lutsk Exarchate of the UGCC, which is to be celebrated in April.
“The first five years of the existence of an exarchate does not mean that it has only been five years that Greek Catholics have lived in Volyn. The UGCC history began neither 5 years ago, nor 500 years ago. This year the UGCC together with all churches in Ukraine will be celebrating the 1025th anniversary of the baptism of Rus-Ukraine,” he said during a meeting with youth.
As part of his visit to Volodymyr-Volynskyi, Patriarch Sviatoslav prayed in a Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the ancient Crucifixion (end of 15th century), by which prayed Priest Martyr Josaphat (Kuntsevych), Archbishop of Polotsk and Vitebsk, the first martyr priest martyr of the Uniate Church, and native of the city of Volodymyr-Volynskyi. He also blessed the cornerstone for the building of the St. Josaphat Pilgrimage Center.
The UGCC head also had meetings with the officials of cities he visited.
“In different regions our church had varied histories, as did our Ukrainian people. And when our people lost their independence and the possibility of self-determination, then the church also lost the same. Perhaps, the church’s loss even preceded the general one. In no way do we aspire to be included in any political acts and we do not support some particular party; above all, we are with the people,” emphasized Patriarch Sviatoslav in his conversation with the Lutsk mayor.
He added, “Our presence in all regions of Ukraine testifies to our pastoral responsibility toward our faithful. However, in no way are we attempting to lure people from other churches – an act worthy of condemnation.”