The 6th (77th) session of the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church took place in Chernivtsi from December 12th to 15th, 2023.
The Secretary of the Synod's Office of Bishops announced this event.
The current members of the Permanent Synod include The head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav, who presides over the sessions, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Philadelphia, Borys Gudziak, Bishop of Wroclaw-Koszalin, Volodymyr Yushchak, Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainians of the Byzantine Rite in Germany and Scandinavia, Bohdan Dzyurakh, and Bishop of Chernivtsi, Josaphat Moschych. The duties of the Synod's secretary are carried out by the Auxiliary Bishop of the UGCC Archeparchy of Kyiv, Andriy Khymyak.
During the Permanent Synod of UGCC, besides official sessions, various events and meetings are scheduled. The bishops will meet with representatives of the Chernivtsi military administration and the city authorities. These meetings will provide an opportunity for discussions on uniting efforts to serve the Ukrainian people in the region.
Additionally, the Synod members will engage with local Christian youth to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Society of Ukrainian Catholic Students 'Obnova' and meet with priestly families of the Eparchy of Chernivtsi. In the context of the Pastoral Strategy 2030, focusing on caring for Christian families, these meetings hold significant importance.
Regarding cultural events, the bishops are expected to visit the Memorial Museum of Volodymyr Ivasyuk and the museum of Olha Kobylianska.
Moreover, the Synod Secretariat announces the participation of the Synod bishops in the traditional opening of the Christmas Nativity Scene near the city hall and the consecration of a cheese-making facility in the village of Striletskyi Kut near Chernivtsi.
A special occasion will be a joint prayer of the bishops with the faithful before the Miraculous Icon 'Hope of the Hopeless,' displayed for veneration and prayer at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Daily Divine Liturgies will also take place there with the participation of the bishops.
The members of the Permanent Synod of UGCC appeal to the faithful for prayerful support during the working sessions and for the successful conduct of the gathering.