Relic with Metropolitan Sheptytsky's signature found in Bosnia

In the city of Banja Luka, Northern Bosnia, a relic signed by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Metropolitan, Andrey Sheptytsky, was found. The sinkel for the monks in the Lviv Archeparchy of the UGCC Justin Boyko wrote about it on Facebook, Gal-info reports.

"The antimension was signed by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky on April 11, 1913, and it is still used to celebrate the Liturgy on the throne in Banja Luka," he wrote.

Background information:

Antimension is a consecrated handkerchief placed on the throne with a piece of relics of saints sewn inside. During the Liturgy, the sacrament of the Eucharist is performed on the antimensions. Without the antimension, the Liturgy cannot be celebrated.

The antimensions appeared when it became necessary to celebrate the Liturgy outside the temple, in field conditions. The throne had to be replaced with a portable table or just boards. The consecrated antimension with relics, in this case, was a substitute for the Throne, hence the name.