Unique exhibition of ancient shrouds opens in Halych

On February 20, the picture gallery “Ancient Halych” of the National Reserve hosted an exhibition of ancient Galician shrouds of the ХVІІІ - beginning of the XXI century from the Ivano-Frankivsk Archbishopric and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Total 33 shroud and 3 antimensions are demonstrated. In addition to the researchers of the National Reserve “Ancient Halych”, at the opening of the exhibition were present Galician dean of the UGCC, Fr. Igor Bronovsky, Galician protopresbyters, fathers-rectors and students of the Ivano-Frankivsk theological seminary, as well as representatives of the Galician secondary school, GALKA.IF.UA reports.

“We have a unique opportunity to see our faith embodied in art,” said Andriy Stasiuk, a candidate of historical sciences and a leading researcher at the scientific and educational department, at the opening ceremony.

Dean of Halych of the UGCC, Fr. Igor Bronovsky thanked the audience and warmly remembered the initiator and organizer of the exhibition, Yaroslav Potashnik, whose heart had stopped the day before.

“This is a man gifted by God,” said Volodymyr Kostyshyn, the general director of the Ancient Halych National Reserve, remembering the deceased. “He worked hard, had no days off, he lived his job. Everyone who communicated with Yaroslav knows this. He was a creative person, an artist, a director, a poet. Yaroslav closely cooperated with the church, was a good mentor for the young. It is a pity that he is not with us, but we have to pursue his cause.

Fr. Igor Bronovsky further told about the origin, the symbolism of the shroud: “Faith is the greatest wealth that man has.” The Shroud is an extremely important part of our faith, it is in the sanctuary and is placed on Good Friday for worship. It symbolizes sorrow, grief and at the same time redemption from our sins. The Shroud is an image in which we see the patience of our Lord.”

An employee of the scientific and educational department, Andriy Stasiuk, noted that the Shroud is a great Christian shrine, but also is a historical source – for many contain dates when a person or a whole family gifted a relic to the church. He remembered how Yaroslav Potashnyk selected the shrouds, how he was concerned to make the exhibition successful.

Then brothers-seminarians performed the prayer “Our Father”, chanting in Greek, the psalms “Bless, my soul, the Lord”, “Virgin Virgin, rejoice.” Volodymyr Kostyshin, General Director of the Ancient Halych National Reserve, thanked the performers, offering them booklets and other publications about Halych.

The exhibition of shrouds will last until April 3, 2018.