Commemorating metropolitan Andrey we pray not for the repose of his soul or absolution but for his glorification. We pray to God to see him amongst His holy ones in Heavens, revealing this glory in his figure here, on Earth. We work and pray so to accelerate the process of his beatification, said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the UGCC at St. George Cathedral in Lviv on the 77th death anniversary of righteous metropolitan Andrey.
In the homily delivered by bishop Yaroslav Pryriz, eparch of Sambir and Drohobych, the preacher said that notwithstanding the fact of celebrating this date in already independent country, the life of the great metropolitan was full of fight to which we owe our independent Ukraine, free Church and Ukrainians as a nation. He was the one who dedicated himself to saving people’s souls, unity of Christ’s Church on local and universal levels and proclaiming the name of God among Ukrainian people.
The bishop drew attention to fervent prayers, hard work and determined service of Andrey Sheptytsky, owing who the underground Church resurrected and Ukrainian State was restored.
“Analyzing metropolitan’s way of life, we can see that he was quite a multifaceted person. He was focusing upon such aspects as creation of a nation, state formation, culture, education, economy and social sphere. He did it not in pursuit of becoming a politician or public figure but because he viewed tasks of being a pastor of Christ that way”, bishop Yaroslav is assured.
“What can we, living in XXI century, learn from our great father Andrey Sheptytsky? Our world faces its challenges and problems which disturb the bout of the Christ’s Church. How to withstand? What should we pay attention to?”
The preacher assures, if we live by a god-serving prayer and deep spiritual life, we will find right answers and ways to solve our problems and deal with challenges, and urged to pray for glorification of the Metropolitan.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed his gratitude to the metropolitan of Lviv and all the bishops who were present, priest and people for an opportunity to pray at the cathedral for glorification of the righteous metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.
Last but not least, the Head of the Church emphasized the importance to have enough courage to testify which graces the one could receive with intercession of metropolitan Andrey, since it will help to complete the beatification process of the Metropolitan.