On Pentecost, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church His Beatitude Sviatoslav performed the ordination of the ruling bishop for the Eparchy of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Melbourne (Australia) Mykola Bychok for Ukrainians in Australia, New Zealand, and other countries of Oceania.
During the sermon to the faithful, the Primate noted the importance of the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. "Today the Church of Christ," said the preacher, "celebrates one of our greatest holidays. In fact, the Church is celebrating its birth today."
Our Savior Jesus Christ taught His apostles about this day. There is no spiritual life, the Archbishop emphasized, without the presence of the power and action of the Holy Spirit.
St. Hilary taught that the Holy Spirit is the spark of life, it gives new life, optimism, new energy to each and every one who opens his heart to that strange guest of the human soul. Man cannot be himself without the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit is the light that enables us to understand and see the beauty of the world in which we live. A person has no taste of life if the Holy Spirit does not rest in him,” observed the Head of the Church.
This Pentecost is special to our Church. According to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, today, with the Descent of the Holy Spirit and the power of grace, the beauty of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is manifested in a special way.
"We have been looking for a new bishop for Ukrainians in Australia for a long time. We are grateful that, by the power and action of the Holy Spirit, the Lord anointed him today, on Pentecost. And, like on the Day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke in different languages, today our Church speaks in different languages, preaching the great works of God, proclaiming the same Gospel of Christ. In Australia - in English, in Brazil - in Portuguese, in Argentina - in Spanish... I think the manifestations of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our Church will multiply. I have been recently told that in Singapore they pray for the Father and Head of our Church in their language,” added His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Head of the Church thanked the new bishop for coming into full contact with God, opening his heart and allowing himself to be led by the Holy Spirit.
He wished the new bishop the ability to enter the culture of Australia, to learn the way the people think there and at the same time to fill their lives with God's Word.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav said that today the whole Church rejoices and thanks God for the gift of a new bishop. But the community of the UGCC is especially happy, to which, God willing, the bishop will be able to go in due time.
"The Holy Spirit wants to tell us today, do not be afraid, the pandemic will end sooner or later. Death, grief, disease never have the last word. We are sure that the borders will reopen and the new apostle of Christ will go to his episcopal see. And the Lord God addresses all of us today: live a spiritual life, a real spiritual life, do not look for it elsewhere, because nothing spiritual and holy without the Holy Spirit will be given to man," the Primate emphasized..