MONTROSE, NY: At their June 9 meeting, the members of the Peekskill Area Pastors Association (PAPA) held annual elections for executive board positions. The organization, in existence for over 100 years, is an inter-faith fellowship that has long been an institution in the greater Peekskill area. The monthly meeting was held at the Reformed Church of Cortlandtown and was co-sponsored by that congregation and the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Parish.

Outgoing two-term president, the Rev. Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey, pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Peekskill presided over the election. The new board will consist of:

President, Archbishop Michael J. Champion, of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church
Vice-President: Rev. Carlye Hughes, of St. Peter Episcopal Church
Treasurer: Rev. Mark Ioset, of the Presbyterian Church USA - Hudson River Presbytery
Recording Secretary: Ms. Helen Mizer, of the Mohegan Lake Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Corresponding Secretary: Rev. Jeanette Phillips, of the Park St. AME Zion Church

Reverend Lacey will continue on the board, as immediate past president.

Rev. Ioset, Ms. Mizer and Rev. Phillips continue in their previously held positions, for another term. Archbishop Champion had been vice-president of the organization for the past year and Rev. Hughes joins the board for the first time. She arrived in Peekskill in mid 2007.

Bishop Michael J. Champion, a native of Peekskill, spent 20 years of ministry in the Cleveland, Ohio area. He graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and received a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland in 1993. Ordained to the priesthood in 1997, he took on the leadership of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the Americas in 2004 and returned to Northern Westchester in 2005, where he relocated the church's administrative office and founded the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Parish.

The ministry has led him to travel extensively, visiting parishes around the world, including Ukraine, Ecuador and Colombia. Bishop Michael works extensively in inter-religious ministry and was a participant last summer's historic Yale conference Loving God and Neighbor in Word and Deed, a workshop on the document A Common Word Between Us and You. The event gathered religious scholars and activists from around the world and was co-sponsored by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan and the Yale University Center for Faith and Culture's Reconciliation Program.

The Archbishop has long been a proponent of liberation theology and took an early interest in the development of the Latin American church. He studied the Spanish language for eight years, at the high school and university levels. Champion is convinced of the need to act in the interests of justice, equality and the dignity of all people, speaking often as an advocate for the rights of immigrants and any persons who are marginalized or experiences bias. He is a co-chair of the Cortlandt Taskforce on Diversity. Recently, Archbishop Michael has been a cofounder of the Iglesia Liberación Latina - Ascensión del Cristo an inclusive and progressive community in Cortlandt, which celebrates a familiar liturgy while welcoming all, regardless of their state of life. The church also conducts a weekly breakfast program as a gesture of hospitality for local immigrant workers.

Reflecting on goals for the future of PAPA, Bishop Michael hopes to help increase the interaction between the organization and the local society, and build upon the many programs already implemented and others which are in the developing stages. PAPA sponsors many community cornerstone programs, including the daily Noontime Meal Program, conducted at the Peekskill Salvation Army headquarters, and the annual Thanksgiving Day dinner. The group also lends much support to other local efforts and institutions, such as the Jan Peek Shelter, the Sunny Doughnut Breakfast program and CHOP (Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill). Recently, PAPA has inaugurated a website at www.pastorsofpeekskill.org, which when fully developed, Archbishop Michael envisions as the premier portal for faith-based and social outreach resources in the greater Peekskill area.

During his tenure as president, Rev. Lacey was a unifying voice, promoting human dignity, in the face of several bias related incidents in the greater Peekskill area. His efforts saw him as a founding member of the Cortlandt Taskforce on Diversity. Among other things, he has been instrumental in expanding the community's annual Martin Luther King inter-faith service into an inclusive event, embracing the diversity of the population.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Communication Committee
Peekskill Area Pastors Association

MONTROSE, NY: East and West united during the 40 days of Lent, as parishioners and friends of the Reformed Church of Cortlandtown and the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Parish worked together on a weekly "spiritual art project." The event aimed at putting theology into color and bringing people closer together to prepare for the Great feast of Pascha - the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The program, entitled "Announcing Hope Through Sign and Symbol" featured the creation of Ukrainian style decorated eggs (Ukrainian=Pysanky). Using the age-old technique of writing on the eggs with beeswax and dying them in a sequence of colors, participants created their own unique designs, both traditional and contemporary. They used goose as well as chicken eggs.

The five consecutive Wednesday evenings, began with a Lenten supper of soup and bread accompanied by prayer and reflection. The Reverend Douglas Leonard and Archbishop Michael J. Champion offered short talks on the meaning and symbolism of the designs in relation Christ's resurrection. Deacon Roger Medina shared his artistic talent, as he guided the group through the various stages of the creation of the eggs.

About 25 people of all ages took part in the project. The completed eggs are on display in the sanctuary of the Reformed Church of Cortlandtown from Palm Sunday to Easter (according to the Gregorian Calendar), April 5-12. Orthodox Christians celebrate Pascha (from the Greek word meaning Passover) according to the Julian Calendar, which falls this year on Sunday, April 19.

NEW YORK: Leaders of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) in the Diaspora praised recent comments by Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) regarding church unification.

"His Holiness Patriarch Filaret," said Metropolitan Mykhayil (Javchak Champion) of the UAOC-Diaspora, "underscores that a Ukrainian Church cannot be Ukrainian if it submits to Moscow, Constantinople, or any other foreign see. His message must be repeated. Ukraine's spiritual individualism cannot be extinguished or integrated into an artificial community."

According to Bishop Paul Peter Jesep, who is Metropolitan Mefodiy's UAOC designated American spokesperson, "A Ukrainian Church answers to God. It does not submit to church politicians dressed expensively in a foreign city."

Bishop Paul Peter added, "collectively the UAOC and UOC-KP make up one of the world's largest Orthodox communities and needs no one's political, temporal, or spiritual permission to be a faith community. Ukrainians must stop asking permission of foreigners. Ukrainians are a church before God. Not Moscow! Not Constantinople! Not Rome! Ukrainians are not spiritual serfs! Ukrainians answer to the Creator and no one else."

Metropolitan Mykhayil reflected that, "the words of the Patriarch confirm what we have surmised for a long time now. As His Holiness points out, the goals of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and those who support a united and autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church are quite different."

"We tried to warn leaders of this reality last year, when there was so much hysteria following the visit of Bartholomew to Kyiv. Alas, our opinions fell on deaf ears, in the aftermath of a pastoral visit that possessed more qualities of stardom than of Christian service and was whitewashed by the comfort of valuable gifts and visions of false hopes," concluded the Metropolitan.

In December 2008, New York Governor David Paterson issued a signed Citation praising the individual work of UAOC leaders Metropolitan Mykhayil (Javchak Champion) and Bishop Paul Peter Jesep. Both were recognized by the New York Governor for their consistent leadership in uniting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Click here or on the link above to read an article about the Governor Paterson's Citation. You may read the actual Citation by clicking here.

Related Article:
UOC-KP Patriarch Stresses Unification in Interview

KHUST, UKRAINE: The Eparchy of Mukachevo observed the 70th. anniversary of the independence of Carpatho-Ukraine, a state that existed between March 15 and March 18, 1939, during the tulmultous period of the Second World War. It comprised territory that is now in the Transcarpathian Oblast of Ukraine and parts of Eastern Slovakia. The celebration occurred in the Cathedral Church of the Ascension of the Lord.

A service was held in honor of the heroes of Carpatho-Ukraine, including the pro-Ukrainian nationalist, the Rev. Avhustyn Voloshyn who served as president of the independent Ukrainian entity. It was celebrated by Bishop Milan Shashik, Apostolic Administrator of the Mukachevo Eparchy and attended by Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko and his wife, Kateryna. The president presented Vladyka Milan with several awards as well as a Ukrainian passport. Mr. Yushchenko also visited an area school named for President Voloyshyn and placed flowers at a memorial there. He also honored other Ukrainians of the Transcarpathian area with awards, including clergy of the eparchy and professors at the University of Uzhorod.

Sources:
RISU
Official Site of the President of Ukraine

At the chancery office in New York, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil promulgated the following regulations for Great Lent, 2009. Go to 2009 Lenten Regulations.

NEW YORK: His Eminence, the Metropolitan of New York and America, Mykhayil sent his annual Lenten Pastoral Letter to all the clergy and faithul of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church - Metropolia of America. Click here to read the text of the Metropoiltan's letter.

CHORTKIV, UKRAINE: On Sunday, October 26, 2008, while in Ukraine, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil celebrated the Sacred Liturgy in our parish of St. George the Great-Martyr just outside of Chortkiv in the Ternopil Oblast of Ukraine. The pastor, Protopresbyter Volodymyr Svarychevskyj and his family and parishioners were most gracious hosts.

"The people in the Chortkiv region are not only kind and welcoming, but also truthful and without pretension. They have been so wonderful to me each time that I've been there. In fact, I have become so comfortable with the place that I call it my 'home in Ukraine,' the Metropolitan said.

Chortkiv, like much of Ukraine, has a long and interesting history. It lies in the heart of historic Galicia (Halychyna) and was long and important and pivotal location for the Kozak movement.

Follow this link to see more pictures of the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Geroge.

In October of 2008, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil had the opportunity to visit the historic Eparchy of Mukachevo, in Ukraine's Transcarpathian Oblast, the homeland of his ancestral forebears.

Follow this link for a pictoral tour and an article by the Metropolitan describing his impression of this spiritually moving excursion.

MOHEGAN LAKE, NY: "There will always be an open door of friendship and love between the members of the Reformed Church of Cortlandtown and the members of the Islamic Community Center of Mohegan Lake."

These words highlight a framed watercolor from Oman, picturing traditional Omani wooden doors, a gift presented to the Islamic Community Center of Mohegan Lake by the Reverend Douglas Leonard on Friday evening, February 20, 2009. Reverend Leonard, pastor of the Reformed Church of Cortlandtown in Montrose, brought the artwork back to the United States, after his August 2008 visit to the Sultanate of Oman, where Muslims and Christians gathered to engage in mutual learning and interfaith dialogue. In Oman, the Reformed Church in America spearheaded the development of the Al-Amana Center which for over a century, has served as a place of hospitality, to introduce international guests to Arab culture and religion.

The framed piece also contains verses from the Christian and Muslim scriptures, emphasizing the two principles of the love of God and love of neighbor, shared between the two faith-traditions. Reverend Leonard, who has long been involved in interfaith dialogue throughout the Westchester and greater New York area, is continuing the work outlined in the document A Common Word between Us and You, published by 138 Islamic scholars under the leadership of Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan in late 2007.

Local parishioners and friends gathered at the Islamic Center for dinner and prayer, after which Reverend Leonard made the presentation to Sheikh Saad and other leaders of the Islamic community. Participating in the presentation was Metropolitan Archbishop Michael J. Champion, of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodoox Church, vice-president of the Peekskill Area Pastors Association a local inter-faith organization of over 80 religious and pastoral organizations. Archbishop Michael is also active in Muslim-Christian dialogue and was a participant in the historic conference, Loving God and Neighbor in Word and Deed, sponsored at Yale University by the Yale Center for Faith and Culture in late July, 2008.

Sheikh Saad thanked Reverend Leonard and the other Christian friends of the Islamic Center not only for the gift itself, but for what it represents, in emphasizing the love which exists between people, inspired by their love for God.

PAVLOHRAD, UKRAINE: In late 2008, the faithful members of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Parish of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God (Pokrova) held services at the historical site of the cathedral church in the city center. Pavlohrad is located in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and is the center for the Dnipropetrovsk-Zaporivzhzhya Eparchy of the UAOC.

The Pavlohrad Cathedral was one of the first churches to embrace the newly-resurrected Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church at the end of the second deacde of the 20th century. In the May-June 1958 edition of Church and Life (Tserkva i Zhyttya), a magazine then published in the Diaspora by the Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood of Metropolitan Vasyl Lypkivskyj, appears a letter of March, 1958, from Protopresbyter Ioan Baska in Argentina.

Fr. Ioan served as a protodeacon and priest in the Pavlohrad Cathedral, and describes the glorious celebration of the services of Passion Week and the Resurrection in the year 1919. At that time, there were around 15,000 people who attended the cathedral, all descendents of the Zaporizhian Cossaks, mainly farmers, physically strong, and with a deep sense of Ukrainian national dignity. In the words of Fr. Baska, "probably something such as this in Ukraine will never again be."

Between 1933-35, numerous churches and religious buildings were demolished by the Soviet regime, especially those which were not subjected to the Russian Moscow Patriarchate. The UAOC Cathedral in Pavlohrad shared this fate. The imposing neo-Byzantine edifice (pictured below) was reduced to rubble by Soviet bulldozers. In its place, was constructed a public square with several trees with a monument to Lenin.

Today, a memorial cross marks the site where the cathedral once stood, in a busy throughoufare of the city. Pictured here is the pastor, the Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Nikanor and UAOC parishioners who gathered for the service of remembrance. A rare photo of the cathedral and maps of Pavlohrad, showing the central location of the church are also shown.

 

 

 

 

PEEKSKILL, NY: The Paramount Center for the Arts was filled to capacity on January 19, for the annual event honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program was sponsored by the Peekskill Area Pastors' Association (PAPA) in collaobration with local congregations, schools and other groups.

Featured was a youth choir, a performing ensemble from the Yale School of Theatre and an address by the Rev. Michael Walron of the First Corinthian Baptist Church in the Harlem section of Manhattan.

Metropolitan Mykhayil (pictured here), vice president of PAPA offered the concluding remarks for the program. He called upon the assembly to continue the working together, so that the dream of Dr. King of full human rights for all people, may be fulfilled. Over 900 people attended the celebration.

PAVLOHRAD, UKRAINE: On November 22, 2008, the pastor and parishioners of the Parish of the Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrova) held a Panakhyda (memorial service) in memory of the victicms of the Holodomor, the artificial famine orchestrated by the Soviet Regime under Stalin in 1932-33. The Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhian regions were targeted with particular severity during this tragic period.

Pictured are Father Archimandrite Nikanor, pastor of the Pokrova Parish, and parishioners during the service. Also shown are UAOC members, participating in public demonstrations, in memory of the Holodomor. Carrying the flags of Ukraine and of the historic UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army), they hold a banner which reads: "Holodomor 1932-1933 - Genocide of the Ukrainian People - Ukrainian Remembers! The World Recognizes!"

The Pavlohrad parish of the UAOC was originally housed in the historic cathedral church of Pavlohrad, which was destroyed by the Soviets in the purge of Ukrainian churches that occurred in the first half of the decade of the 1930s.

 

 

MONTROSE, NY:  Preserving a centuries old tradition from Ukraine, parishioners of the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Parish and the Reformed Church of Cortlandtown built a cross of ice together in celebration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Epiphany holiday. Still customary in Ukraine, the crosses are usually carved out of ice from local rivers and lakes, where holes are made for the clergy to bless the waters. The feast remembers Christ's baptism in the Jordan River.

Although seen occasionally in the United States, is believed that the Montrose cross is the first ever in the Greater New York area. According to His Eminence, Vladyka Mykhayil, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Metropolitan of New York and America, "The cross of ice is a sign of God's sanctification of all created things, including the gift of water, which is necessary for life. It also serves as a witness to the unity that is happening among Christians at the local level." The Orthodox community has been sharing the facilities at the invitation of the Reformed Church parishioners since November.

A joint service to bless the cross took place on Sunday, January 18 at 11:00 am. Metropolitan Mykhayil and the Reverend Douglas Leonard, pastor of the Reformed Church of Cortlandtown concelebrated the servie, which was celebrated in the Byzantine Rite and included psalm-antiphons, hymns, readings from scripture and a prayer of blessing. The ice-sculpture will remain at its location until it melts from the effects of nature.

Pictures of the procession and blessing service are included below. Click on each one to enlarge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK:  In a letter on the eve of the new year, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil conveyed the prayers and solidarity of the Metropolia of the UAOC in the Diaspora to his friend and colleague Bishop Munib Younan, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land. He sent a similar letter to Fr. Nabil Haddad, a Melkite Greek Catholic Priest and director of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center in Amman.

 

MYKHAYIL
Archbishop-Metropolitan of New York
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

NEW YORK: Metropolitan Mykhayil published his annual Christmas Pastoral Letter to the hierarchy, clergy, religious and faithful of the Metropolia of America and the Diaspora of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Click here to read the Metropolitan's Letter.

Christmas Message of His Beatitude, Mefodiy, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine
Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

To the priests, monastics and faithful of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church - In the Year of God - 2008/2009.

Christ is born! Glorify him!

The birth of Christ the Savior attracted people to the treasure of the kingdom of heaven. God became man so that man could put on God, to participate in the divine, by God's grace. Our changing life is full of various values and goals. However, the reality of life for each of us has only one meaning and that meaning - to obtain and grow in the grace of the Holy Spirit, which attracts us to the fulness of the divine life.

The value of the birth of Christ can be compared to God creating man. Creating human beings from «nothing», God gave them the possibility to be involved the treasures of his grace. The birth of the God-man Christ was a new birth of humanity. In the garden, grace was provided for man outside, a symbol which is the fruit consumption. In Christ the Savior, who joined deity and humanity, God's grace is provided a man, not from outside, but from inside our existence.

God became man, and this unique historical event is relevant to humanity today. Indeed, after his Resurrection and mysterious Ascension in the flesh, Christ the Savior did not leave humankind, but stayed with us in his church. God not only was a man, but remains in each of us today is a real opportunity to deny "the ancient, evil, human nature and put on the glorious deity of a new humanity in Christ."

How can we realize God's plan for us and utilize God's grace to attain the fullness of the divine being? This opportunity is given to us in the Holy Church, when we participate in the Sacraments, and most importantly, in the sacrament of the Eucharist, or the Holy body and blood of Christ. Therefore, in these festive days, we encourage every Orthodox Christian to piously approach the Holy Mystery, remembering not only that we are all unworthy of this great holiness, but also that communion in the holy the body and blood of Christ, unites us with he who is Risen.

In the anniversary in 2008, when the whole Orthodox Ukraine celebrated 1020 years of the baptism of Kyivan Rus, the episcopate, clergy and faithful to the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church brought their sincere prayers to God for unity and the recognition of the autocephalous status of Ukrainian Orthodoxy.

This year, there was an historic visit to Ukraine of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who, following the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, blessed land of Kyiv and the Ukrainian nation and called Orthodox Christians in Ukraine to unity. Also this year there were two other remarkable events. The first was the appeal of the Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the Primates of the local Orthodox Churches, which His Beatitude, Metropolitan Volodymyr urged them to develop a single consolidated position on the road to the unification of Ukrainian Orthodoxy.

Another important event that gives us hope, was the meeting of President of Ukraine V.A. Yushchenko and his All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, when the head of state called the Ecumenical Patriarch to hold in Kyiv in 2009, an All-Orthodox council of the Primates of all local Orthodox Churches. We also hope that the position of the head of the UOC-KP in the new year, will be constructive and serve the holy cause of the formation of a local Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Sending up prayers to God to overcome the existing division in our country, we support these noble initiatives of the President of Ukraine and Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.In as much as they represent an integral part of world Orthodoxy,we are convinced that the Ukrainian ecclesiastical question, in the collective mind of world Orthodoxy, is justified and necessary. Therefore we are hoping that the joint efforts of the local Orthodox Churches will help the Orthodox Church in Ukraine to find its God-intended unity.

Sincerely greeting the episcopate, clergy and faithful of our Holy Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church on the great holiday of the Birth of Christ, I prayerfully wish you all salvation, God's help in all your good works and healing peace. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, and saving and preserving our God-loving people and nation.

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

His Beatitude, Mefodiy
Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine
Predstoyatel of the UAOC

Nativity of Christ
Kyiv, January 7, 2009

Read Ukrainian Version

ALBANY, NY:  In late December 2008, Governor David Paterson of New York issued a Citation acknowledging the role of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) in both Ukraine and New York. The UAOC is the third largest Orthodox Church in Ukraine and officially recognized by the Ukrainian government.

Gov. Paterson praised His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy of Kyiv and all Ukraine, the recognized worldwide primate of the UAOC, for committing himself to secular and religious liberty in Ukraine. The Citation also acknowledges the work and leadership of His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil (Javchak), Archbishop of New York, and all the faithful in New York State.

The Citation reads, in part, "New Yorkers have historically shared a broad consensus of religiously-inspired values and an enduring belief in religious freedom and all freedoms upon which America is founded . . . it is fitting that we join to applaud the contributions of the UAOC both in Ukraine and New York State in promoting democracy and religious freedom, Now Therefore, I, David A. Paterson,Governor of the State of New York, do hereby cite . . . the establishment of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church [while] its faithful members invoke the Mother of God (Pokrova) for the protection and perpetuation of the Church in the Ukrainian homeland and throughout the world."

The Citation was issued by the Governor and given to Bishop Paul Peter (Jesep) who serves as Metropolitan Mefodiy's designated spokesman and government relations liaison in the United States.

Click on the thumbnail to view the document.

See also:
uaoc.net

Once again, uaoc.org offers a great selection of electronic greeting cards for the Christmas, New Year and Theophay seasons.

Please visit our popular E-card section and send holiday remembrances to your friends and family.

Click here to be taken to the Christmas Season greeting card page

Enjoy!

We of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the Diaspora are mindful of the death of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Alexy II. Our sincere sympathies are extended to the synod of bishops of the Church of Moscow and Russian Orthodox Christians everywhere. Indeed we morn their pain, in this generally unexpected death of their leader and father in Christ.

The Patriarch served during an historical and unprecedented time of Russian history. Certainly, Alexy II made great attempts to revive the spiritual life in his country in the post-Soviet period.While these included the liberation of Russian Orthodoxy from methods it had become accustomed to during the communist years, he also continued to adhere to older models which do not represent the value of a separation of church and state, a key characteristic of democratic nations. Often, this approach did not draw a clear boundary between freedom of religion and the idea of an "official state church."

Unlike the Russian Church which enjoyed freedom to operate throughout the former Soviet Union, the Ukrainian Churches experienced forced liquidation under the totalitarian regime, therefore requiring a complete re-emergence and re-building after the fall of the USSR. If we are to be honest, we cannot help but recall that the difficult and confusing canonical situation in Ukraine is due in large part, to the refusal of the Russian Orthodox Church and the late Patriarch in particular, to recognize the rightful historical place held by the Church of Kyiv. Freed from the control of the domination systems of the past, Alexy II would have been able to freely concur with the autocephaly of Ukrainian Orthodoxy.

As Ukrainian Orthodox Christians, we are hopeful that the successor of Patriarch Alexy II may make the initiative to admit the faultiness of the belief that Kyiv is merely the geographical predecessor of Russian civilization before its center was transferred to a more suitable location in Moscow. We further pray that this successor will work together with others in the Orthodox communion who have already recognized the necessity to treat the historic self-determined character of the Church of Ukraine with integrity.

December 6, 2008
New York, USA

+MYKHAYIL
Archbishop-Metropolitan of New York
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

PASSAIC, NJ: On Sunday, October 5, seminarians from the city of Uzhorod in the Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine offered a concert of sacred and liturgical music at the auditorium of the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel. The seminarians are among 125 students currently enrolled at the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo's Blessed Theodore Romzha Theological Academy in Uzhorod. They were accompanied by the Very Rev. Archpriest Taras Lovska, seminary rector.

The group has been on a whirlwind three week tour of parishes in the New York/New Jersey area, Eastern and Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia. The main purpose of the concert-series has been to expose the American faithful to the sacred music tradition of the Ukrainian Carpathian area, promote awareness of the church in Transcarpathia and to support the operation of the seminary. Students were on hand to sell DVDs and CDs of their wide repertoire of music.

His Eminence, Vladyka Mykhayil used the opportunity to make time to visit the Passaic Cathedral and enjoy the concert. He was pleased with the opportunity to speak to Fr. Taras and the seminarians. In addition, he had the chance to talk with Bishop William Skurla, Greek Catholic Bishop of Passaic and Reader Jack Figel, director of Eastern Christian Publications and Orientale Lumen Foundation. Reader Figel has served as the coordinator of the all the arrangements for concert tour and assisted the seminarians in the production of their recordings.

The pleasant evening ended with a tour of the Cathedral of St. Michael, which was made open to the concert attendees through the very gracious effort of its pastor, the Very Rev. Marcel Szabo. Father Szabo spoke about the long history of St. Michael's in Passaic, which began in 1890 and continues today in its role as mother church of the Eparchy. The majestic interior of the cathedral is a tribute to the many, many immigrant faithful, dedicated parishioners, sisters, cantors, priests and bishops who have served in Passaic over these 128 years.

View more pictures of the concert  at this link.

Click here for more information about the Uzhorod Seminary Concert Tour.

KYIV: On the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Mefodiy celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called. During the service, His Beatitude ordained subdeacon John Zayets to the order of deacon.

Father Deacon John comes from a priestly family and graduated this year from the Ternopil Theological Academy and Seminary.

Source:
Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine

BROOKLYN, NY: On the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, September 21, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil visited the parish of St. Michael the Archangel, where the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Yuriy Kasyanov, Dean of the East Coast Deanery, is the pastor.

The celebration began with the greeting of the Metropolitan and the chanting of the hours. The 9:30 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was concelebrated in Ukrainian by Vladyka Mykhayil and Father Fr. Yuriy. The Rev. Protodeacon Roger Medina assisted the Metropolitan and Protopresbyter Kasyanov.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Mykhayil delivered a homily on the Gospel for the 14th. Sunday after Pentecost, the parable of the banquet guests, from Matthew 22: 1-14. "The Gospel life, " said the Metropolitan, "is not reserved to any particular kind of person, nor to only those with greater religious sensitivities. It is not as important that there exist those who reject Jesus' call to the kingdom, as the invitation is open to everyone. God's table is plenteous and there is room for even one who might be frowned upon by others. The upshot of this parable however, is that all those who respond to God's saving call, 'the good and the bad alike' must be prepared and take the call seriously. As the one in the Gospel story was not properly attired with a wedding garment and thus rejected by the king, so those who follow Jesus not be complacent with being a part of the reign of God alone, but must always be willing to take to Gospel with its consequences and its implications seriously and live them day after day. That, Matthew tells the community to which he writes, is true discipleship according to Jesus."

In celebration of the holiday of the Birth of the Mother of God, His Eminence blessed a special "medovnyk" or "honey cake" which he brought with him from the pilgrimage (vidpust) to the Shrine of the Mother of God of Perpetual Help in Uniontown, PA. This special heart-shaped delicacy, was decorated with an icon of the Virgin. In the Ukrainian tradition, these "medovnyki" or "honey cakes" are purchased at places of pilgrimage such as the Uniontown Mount St. Macrina, and carried home by the pilgrims to those who could not make the journey, thus uniting them spiritually with the prayers and intentions offered at the shrine. In former times, these cakes also served as a means of sustenance, to feed pilgrims on their long trip home (often on foot).

After the blessing, the "medovnyk" was sliced and distributed to the faithful as they approached to venerate the cross. After the services, the Metropolitan took the opportunity to meet with the parishioners of St. Michael parish, discussing ideas and plans for the further development and growth of the community.

Click here to view more photos.

PEEKSKILL, NY: The Paramount Center for the Arts is the site of photography exhibition entitled "The Peekskill Diversity Project" by South African born artist, designer, photographer and educator, Raeford Dwyer. Raeford is assisted in his work by his partner, Vanessa Tricoche, MA, and Education Specialist and Social Emotional Trainer.

The Peekskill Diversity Project (PDP) is an New York-based community educational institution teaching diversity, peace building and conflict resolution skills to youth and adults. PDF establishes safe and common ways to deal with conflicts and differences, recognizing that we need "a local holistic approach" to teaching about diversity."

Metropolitan Mykhayil attended the opening reception for the photography exhibit on September 17. He is pictured here with Raeford and Vanessa in the Paramount Theatre. More information about Raeford Dwyer, the Peekskill Diversity Project and his other work can be found at www.raeford.net

CORTLANDT MANOR, NY: The Colonial Terrace banquet center was the location for the annual "Breaking of the Fast" dinner, hosted by the Westchester chapter of the American Muslim Women's Association.

The dinner is an interfaith event, with guests of many diverse confessions and faith traditions. Metropolitan Mykhayil attended the event, as a representative of the Peekskill Area Pastors Association and the Cortlandt Diversity Taskforce.

One of the goals of the organization is to bring people of various traditions together, to share, learn and discuss. It was a delightful evening of friendship and conversation, while new aquaintances were made and knowledge of each other's customs promoted.

Click here for more photos from the dinner.

PEEKSKILL, NY: A memorial service in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001 was held by the City of Peekskill, NY at the city's Riverfront Green Park. It began at 8:30 a.m. it was hosted by Mayor Mary Foster and attended by civic, religious and political leaders. Two times, the service was interupted for the tolling of the bell, at the times when the two planes hit the World Trade Center towers.

Metropolitan Mykhayil was in attendance, together with other members of the local clergy association. His Eminence addressed the crowd, at the invitation of Mayor Foster.

Later in the day Vladyka Mykhayil attended and spoke at two other memorial services. The second took place at 12:00 p.m. at the Riverfront Green Park and was hosted by the Rotary Club.

The third, graveside service was observed in the evening at twilight, in the Assumption Cemetery, where an FDNY firefighter from Peekskill, who perished in the towers is interred. The service was led by Peekskill Fire Department chaplain, Fr. Vernon P. Wickrematunge, joined by the Peekskill Fire Chief and Metropolitan Mykhayil.

Click here for more pictures from the September 11 services.

CORTLANDT MANOR, NY: Metropolitan Mykhayil has been active in the Town of Cortlandt Diversity Task Force, since this past June, when the group first begain regular meetings. Appointed by the Cortlandt Town Council, Vladyka Mykhayil and the other members are working together to combat bias and acts of hate and to celebrate diversity and acceptance in the area.

The idea for the Task Force came into being following an unfortunate instance of a cross-burning/hate crime in the Town last November 21. The town government, headed by Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi, in cooperation with the Peekskill Area Pastors Association (PAPA), acted quickly with a public forum and the idea of a permanent committee to create an atmosphere that celebrates the diversity in the Town.

According to its working statement, the Diversity Task Force "exists to support the Cortlandt community as it strives to become a community that celebrates the richness of its diversity, where all who live, work, play and worship are safe and enthusiastically accepted, valued and respected as key participants and contributors, to the enrichment of all."

Above, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil joins other members of the Cortlandt Diversity Taskforce for a photo with Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi (third from right), during a recent meeting. At the far left is task force chairperson, W. Garrison Jackson.

Vladyka Mykhayil serves on the committee as a representative of the PAPA, of which he serves as vice-president.

PEEKSKILL, NY: As has been his custom, Metropolitan Mykhayil offered a special prayer and blessing for students of the cathedral parish on the occasion of the new school year. The service was held after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 7.

Afterwards, the parish community celebrated the birthday of Pani Matka Rania Alejilat. Following the coffee and cake social, the students were treated to a trip to the popular "Beach Shopping Center" where they enjoyed the bright and sunny day with "back to school" discount sales.

Click here for more photos.

UNIONTOWN, PA: From August 29 - September 1, the 85th. annual pilgrimage (Vidpust) in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was observed on the grounds of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, at Mount Saint Macrina.

Thousands of pilgrims from across the United States, from Ukraine, Slovakia and other parts of the globe gathered for prayer, spiritual renewal, reception of the sacraments, the Divine Liturgy and many other liturgical services. Renewal of friendships and aquaintances is always a special blessing of the pilgrimage.

Metropolitan Mykhayil was present with fellow priests, friends and family, to join in this traditional public display of faith. His Emience sincerely thanks the Sisters of St. Basil for their gracious hospitality and assures them of a remembrance in the prayers of the clergy and faithful of the UAOC throughout the Diaspora.

Click here to view more pictures from the pilgrimage.

His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil observed the yearly blessing of the harvest during the late summer holy days.

Fruits were blessed at the Feast of the Transfiguration and herbs and other plants were blessed on the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.

Click here to view some photos  from the festive Divine Liturgy of the Transfiguration and the blessing of the herb and plant gardens on the day of the Dormition.

Click on each image to enlarge it.

NEW YORK: From August 2-11, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil was pleased to receive a visit from Sigmund and Evelyn Kobus of Mentor, Ohio. Friends of the Metropolitan for over 20 years, Mr. and Mrs. Kobus have long been involved in the religious community.

During their time in New York, the couple had the chance to participate in the life of the cathedral parish, visit sites of interest throughout the Hudson Valley and in New York City and to assist Vladyka Mykhayil in ecclesiastical and organizational work at the Metropolitan chancery office. On several occasions, they assisted in entertaining clergy and friends from the area, at the Metropolitan's residence.

Sig and Evie have endeared themselves to many clergy over their many years of service to the church. In 2006, they had the honor to meet the Worldwide Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy, during his historic visit to the United States. At that time, they also had the opportunity to meet His Eminence, Metropolitan Roman of Vinnitsya.

While in the New York area, Pan and Pani Kobus met some of the clergy of the East Coast Deanery of the UAOC, The Very Rev. Protopresbyter Yuriy Kasyanov (Pani Matka Olena), The Very Rev. Archpriest Samir Alejilat (and Pani Matka Rania) and the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Vasily Demyanyk of Holy Protection Cathedral of the UAOC Eparchy of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. They were also able to meet members of the Peekskill Area Pastor's association as well as Metropolitan Mykhayil's sister Edwina and cousin Laura Yafcak. A surprise visit from their cousins, Bonnie and George Hernandez of Queens was an added feature to their time at the Metropolitan chancery.

At the link below are some pictures during the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Kobus. They had the opportunity to attend the Divine Liturgy on two consecutive Sundays, as well as celebrate the "blessing of cars" in honor of the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elias. Other pictures include scenes from their travels throughout the New York City area, including a trip to the scenic Bear Mountain Park and Perkins Memorial Drive, overlooking the breathtaking Hudson River Valley and the tranquil Peekskill Bay.

Click here to see more images from the visit.

PEEKSKILL, NY: On Saturday, August 9, family and friends of Margaret Babey Lee came together at downtown Peekskill's 12 Grapes Restaurant to celebrate her 70th birthday. The dinner was a surprise-event, given by her two, always effervescent daughters, Karen Lee and Melissa Perdue.

Mrs. Babey-Lee is a life-long Peekskill resident and the daughter of Professor Petro and Margaret (Duda) Babey, both of blessed memory. Professor Babey, a graduate of the Cantor/Teacher's Seminary in Prijashev, was cantor and choir director at SS. Peter & Paul Greek Catholic Church as well as a teacher of music and liturgy throughout the greater New York City area.

Margaret retired this past spring after a career in the civil service sector. She was joined at the restaurant by many friends, including His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil. Her sister, Marie Scarmalino and other members of the Babey, Lee and Scarmalino families, most former members of SS. Peter & Paul, were also present.

Vladyka Mykhayil offered the invocation at the dinner. In the prayer, he thanked God for the great blessing of being together to celebrate the marvelous and always honest, forthright person that is Margaret. He recalled the deep devotion she has maintained, despite many hardships and obstacles, to her faith and to her ancestral heritage, praying that the Lord will keep her bound closely together with family and friends for many more happy and spiritually fruitful years.

Included in this article are some pictures from the celebration. Click on them to enlarge.

God grant to his servant, Margaret Babey Lee, many happy and blessed years! Mnohaya i blahaya lita!

 

NEW HAVEN, CT: Professor Dr. Miroslav Volf, founding director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture and Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology, Yale Divinity School, sent a letter of gratitude to all participants in the July 28-31 conference, "Loving God and Neighbor in Word and Deed: Implications for Christians and Muslims."

In his communique, Dr. Volf said in part,

«The most important thing that I have taken away from the conference—from scholarly contributions, from learned panel presentations, from formal and informal discussions, from the exchange of experiences during meals and breaks—is a deepened sense of the immense potential that the Common Word presents for mending relationships between Muslims and Christians. Devotion to the one God (rather than to any worldly cause) and love of all neighbors (rather than the pursuit of our own interests or even our own rights) is the key to peace between those who, while different, inhabit the same space. If this is true, then our most important task is to make the commitment to love God and neighbor as widespread, as deep, and as intelligent as possible in each of our communities. Armed with such a commitment, we can together tackle many difficult issues that beset our mutual relations and our common world. To do this, I believe, is one historic task facing our communities as we seek to live together in one world while remaining faithful witnesses to the faith as we have received it.»

While mentioning the many complimentary letters and e-mails he has already received regarding the nature and quality of the conference, Prof. Volf noted that it was the conference guests themselves and their behavior in the midst of a very diverse and often juxtaposed assembly, who made the real difference in the positive outcome and optimistic goals that have emerged from the deliberations. The Professor further noted that,

«Many factors contributed to making the conference a success. There is no doubt in my mind, however, that the most important factor was the character of the participants; without this, everything else would have been in vain. You made the conference what it was: your spirit, your intellect, your candor, your human warmth.»

Dr. Volf solicited reactions to the conference from the participants and expressed the desire of the Yale Center staff to learn more about local level initiatives as well as opportunities for possible joint ventures in the future.

As previously reported by the Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine, (English Version Here) His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, UAOC Hierarch of New York & America joined international religious, civic and academic scholars and leaders in the conference sessions. Speaking of his visions for the fruitful continuation of the dialogue forged during those days, Vladyka Mykhayil commented,

«Like its impetus, the document, A Common Word Between Us and You, the conference was a history-making event. The coming together of people of such varied and at times juxtaposed backgrounds and positions would have been unimaginable just a short time ago. The Yale Conference definitely served to clarify exactly what is the thinking of those represented and therefore, to begin the move forward, in the relationship between the Islamic communities and Christians of various denominations, histories and approaches. If we wish to be honest, we will admit that, quite frankly, we are living in the "post-denominational" era. Christians, while maintaining unique and often diverging historical expressions of the faith need to be better united as a whole, in the face of the new global order. This is quite different from any sense of a "post-confessional" era, because the goal of our coming together is not to create one, united global religious institution, but rather to recognize and accept the differences that exist among the world's great religions and draw on the commonalities, the mutual hopes and the intentions that all these people of faith hold in their hearts. This for me was the most striking outcome of the conference and the strongest motivation to continue the efforts begun at Yale in the time ahead of us.»

His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykahyil believes that many doors have been opened through the relationships between people that were forged during the conference. He says that he is enthusiastic as to the good that can come from this network of human kindness and hopes that the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church will remain in the forefront of leadership in the dialogue among the world's religions. The Metropolitan concluded that, "it is so very important to continue this work of reconciliation, not only for the good of our respective groups and communities, but for the sake of the very preservation of our world - the world which God has given into our hands, to be stewards thereof."

In the photos above from the conference, Metropolitan Mykhayil is pictured along with (from left to right):
(1) HE, Dr. Sheikh Tayseer Rajab Al-Tamini, Minister of Justice of the Palestinian Territories and Head of the Palestinian Center for Religions and Civilizations Dialogue, His Excellency, Sayeedna Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan the Holy Land, HRH, Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan, Co-host of the Conference and Fr. Nabil Haddad of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate and Director of the Jordan Interfaith Coexistence Research Center.
(2) HE, Dr. Sheikh Tayseer Rajab Al-Tamini, Minister of Justice of the Palestinian Territories and Head of the Palestinian Center for Religions and Civilizations Dialogue and the Very Rev. Archpriest Samir Al Ejilat of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

KYIV: President Victor Yushchenko together with his wife Kateryna Yushchenko and his children took part in a festive service on the occasion of Independence Day. The service took place in Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and was conducted by representatives of different religious creeds.

The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church was represented by its Worldwide Primate, His Beatitude, the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Meofdiy.

Other participants of the event were Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk, ministers, state deputies, representatives of local authorities.

The tradition of holding an Independence Day service was established by President Yushchenko.

Also during the day, following the service in St. Sophia Cathedral, the President of Ukraine, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces viewed a military parade on Independence Square (the Maidan), arranged on the occasion of Independence Day.

Overall 3,5 thousand military men marched Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv along with 144 units of military vehicles, 22 planes and 8 helicopters on display.

President Yushchenko also received many congratulatory letters on the occasion of Independence Day.

President George Bush of the USA in his letter said that Ukraine has achieved much progress in last few years and continues to strengthen democracy and the supremacy of law.

President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia wished in his letter stability and welfare to Ukraine.

Geetings swere also sent by President Heinz Fischer of Austria, King of the Belgians Albert II, President Pratibha Patil of India, President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Laszlo Solyom of Hungary, President Stjepan Mesic of Croatia, President Islom Karimov of Uzbekistan, President Vladimir Voronin of Moldova, President Branko Crvenkovski of Macedonia, Governor-General of Australia Michael Jeffery, President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic, President Abdullah Gül of Turkey and others.

Sources:
Official Site of the President of Ukraine
Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine

UKRAINIAN AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX
PLEDGE SPIRITUAL SOLIDARITY WITH GEORGIA
UAOC Condemns Russian Invasion

Bishop Paul Peter Jesep, the USA spokesperson for the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), Ukraine's third largest Orthodox Church, issued a statement condemning the Russian invasion of Georgia.

"All Orthodoxy must stand with their Georgian sisters and brothers to denounce the Russian invasion of a peaceful, democratic people in an ancient, non-Russian land," Bishop Jesep said. "This is not a complicated, international political matter. Russia has invaded a democracy. Georgia, by its committed example to liberty, is a threat to Moscow. World Orthodoxy has a duty to stand with Georgia."

His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, UAOC Metropolitan of New York and America also expressed his concern over the violation of the inalienable rights of Georgia and its people and noted Ukraine's response to the Russian problem:

«Ukrainian president, Viktor Yushchenko has already signed an order which imposes new restrictions on Russia's fleet in the Black Sea port-city of Sevastopol. This action by the president sends a strong message to the Russians about the seriousness of both Ukrainian and Georgian sovreigntry. Also, in an act of solidarity, a joint delegation from Ukraine, Poland and several Baltic states has been sent to the Gerogian capital of Tbilisi. The church in Ukraine should and must make similar gestures by using the voice of Christian sensibility and the obligation to identify with the oppressed and to speak out against oppressors. From its historical experience, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church knows very well, the dangers and consequences of Russian triumphalism.»

Bishop Jesep concluded by saying, "God bless Georgia, her people, and President Mikheil Saakashvili now and always. Ukrainian Orthodoxy is one with our Georgian sisters and brothers."

Related articles:

Hold on, Brother Nation of Gerogia! (in Ukrainian)
Where were you when they crucified Georgia?
Russian military move deeper into Georgia

TBILISI, GEORGIA: Georgian Catholicos Patriarch Illia II spoke about the political crisis in Georgia in his Sunday sermon on August 10. The patriarch expressed his concern that Orthodox Russians were bombing Orthodox Georgians and that such aggression had never occurred in the history of the two nations.

Patriarch Illia said, "Indeed, we are facing very serious peril, but don’t be afraid of anything, God is with us and the Virgin Mary is protecting is, but one thing that concerns us very deeply is that Orthodox Russians are bombing Orthodox Georgians."

"This is an unprecedented act of relations between our countries. Reinforce your prayer and God will save Georgia. There is a saying 'Water will flow up and down and will return to its weir.' So, believe that God will not separate Georgia into peices," the patriarch declared.

United States President George Bush, speaking from the Olympic games in Beijing, sharply criticized Moscow's harsh military crackdown in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, saying the violence is unacceptable and Russia's response is disproportionate.

The office of US Vice President Dick Cheney quoted him as saying, "Russian aggression must not go unanswered, and that its continuation would have serious consequences for its relations with the United States."

"The vice president expressed the United States' solidarity with the Georgian people and their democratically elected government in the face of this threat to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," stated Cheney press secretary, Lee Ann McBride.

Also, Ukraine warned Russia it could bar Russian navy ships from returning to their base in the Crimea region because of their deployment to Georgia's coast.

Sources:
Press Service - UAOC-Ukraine
Patriarchate of Georgia
Associated Press

NEW HAVEN: From the 28 - 31 of July, 2008 at Yale University (USA), an interreligious conference, "Loving God and Neighbor in Word and Deed: Implications for Christians and Muslims" took place, the first of a series of interactive forums planned to take place through 2009. The aim of the conference was to identify and present issues and common ground effecting Christians and Muslims in the twenty-first century.

The conference was a joint collaboration between the university's "Center for Faith and Culture" and the 138 Islamic scholars who last year composed the document, "A Common Word between Us and You", headed by HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammed of Jordan.

Over 150 Muslim and Christian scholars from countries throught the world took place in the conference, as well as a number of observers from the Jewish faith. According to the organizers of the conference, "If Muslims and Christians, who together comprise more than half the world’s population, can acknowledge mutual commitment to loving God and loving neighbor the boost to a dynamic and peaceful interdependence in our globalized world would be immense."

The hierarch of the Ukrainian Autocehalous Orthodox Church in America, the Metropolitan of New York, Mykhayil, took part in the work of the conference. A more detailed article will appear soon on our website. Currently, readers can view more pictures by visiting the site of the Press Service of our church in Ukraine, uaoc.net who first published them on August 5.

Click here to go to the pictures.

Click here to read this article in Ukrainian.

KYIV— During his stay in Kyiv, the Head of the Department of Foreign Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Kyrill Hundyaev, held an unofficial meeting with the head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudriakov), and offered the latter to join the Moscow Patriarchate on an "extended autonomy basis."

Before this day, the Moscow Patriarchate recognized UAOC as a “schismatic” and “non-canonical” Church. According to information reported by a source in Kyiv and published by www.portal-credo.ru, Metropolitan Mefodiy declined the proposal of Metropolitan Kyrill.

Source:
Religious Infomation Service of Ukraine
(RISU)

KYIV, UKRAINE: President Victor Yushchenko met on July 23, 2008 with representatives of All-Ukrainian Churches and religious organizations.

Speaking to those present Victor Yushchenko expressed assurance that celebration of the 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus would be an impulse towards unification among Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. "I am positive that by joining our efforts we will overcome all the problems, strengthen accord in our deeds and faith in our hearts," he added.

Victor Yushchenko also opined that worthy celebration of this significant date is a matter of honor for entire Ukraine and re-expressed hope that the events dedicated to 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus' would be held in an atmosphere of solidarity and mutual understanding.

Addressing those present Victor Yushchenko thanked them for their efforts in the development of Ukrainian statehood, religion and culture. “I am sincerely grateful for your contribution to the development of the Ukrainian nation, strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between different confessions and religions."

For their valuable efforts in the development of spirituality in Ukraine, many years of prolific work and on the occasion of 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Kyivan-Rus' President Victor Yushchenko presented the representatives of Ukrainian Churches present at the meeting, with state awards.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy, worldwide primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church is pictured above, to the President's left. Also included in the photo are leaders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate, the Roman Catholic Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church and various other confessions.

Source:
Official site of the President of Ukraine

MANIZALES, COLOMBIA: Several priests of the UAOC eparchy of Latin America, were interviewed by the newspaper La Patria, asked to express their purpose for participating in a July 20 public march. The march was held throughout the country and elsewhere as a demonstration of solidarity with hostages held by radical terrorist groups.

Father Felipe Evelio Cardona said, "We are going to march for the peace of Colombia, of the world and for the liberty of all the captives.

"To ask Our Lord, that through this march, he will give freedom to all the hostages," commented Father César Augusto Salazar.

The article appeared in the Monday, July 21, 2008 edition of La Patria, page 10a.

"Why does Ukraine need the approval of a Universal Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul? Why do Orthodox Ukrainians need the spiritual and canonical approval of someone who does not recognize the spiritual integrity and spiritual sovereignty of Ukraine?" asked Bishop Paul Peter Jesep, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations in the United States, by Appointment for His Beatitude Metropolitan Mefodiy, for the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate (UAOC).

Patriarch Bartholomew I will head a delegation to participate in the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivian-Rus this year. He accepted an invitation of Patriarch Alexis II of the Russian Orthodox Church Moscow-Patriarchate, as Ukraine's spiritual leader, and from President Viktor Yushchenko as the country's president. According to the official press release from Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew will visit "Kiev" to be part of the celebrations for "Kievan Rus."

"Together, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate make up one of the largest ethnic branches of Orthodoxy in the world," Bishop Jesep observed."It's three times the size of the entire population of Greece. Far too much deference and importance is given to the non-Ukrainian prelate in Istanbul."

"Of course Patriarch Bartholomew I deserves the utmost respect," His Grace said, "but Ukrainians must also recognize they are not spiritual-serfs needing his permission to be independent of the Moscow Patriarchate. If the Orthodox leader in Istanbul chooses to placate Moscow at the expense of Ukrainian spirituality, then the Ukrainian Orthodox should not think it's God's will. It's not. It's nothing more than church politics.'"

Bishop Jesep said, "His Beatitude Metropolitan Mefodiy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, worldwide primate of the UAOC has been direct in articulating the spiritual national consciousness of Ukraine: 'We do not answer to an Ecumenical Patriarch..A Ukrainian Church cannot be Ukrainian if it submits to someone."

Bishop Jesep added, "Equally distressing are Ukrainian Orthodox Church leaders in the United States and elsewhere in the Diaspora who remain silent about the visit fearing that Orthodox-Istanbul will withdraw its canonical status from them."

See related articles:
Security to be high at celebration of 1020th. anniversary of Kyivan Rus Baptism
Universal and Moscow Patriarchs to meet in Kyiv
Pogram of events celebrating 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Kyivan Rus presented

KYIV: Every year, with the blessing of the worldwide Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude, Mefodiy, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the UAOC publishes its official Ukrainian language version of the "Pravoslavnyj Tserkovnyj Kalendar" - "Orthodox Church Calendar."

In addition to a complete listing of saints, holydays, fasts, and scripture readings, there is a paschalion (dates of Pascha and related celebrations) and academic articles on a variety of subjects related to the Ukrainian Church. His Beatitude, our Predstoyatel in a feature article, provides his insights on the unity of the church.

Invaluable for the use of clergy, cantors, monastics and others involved in liturgical preparation is an "ustav" or "order" containing helpful rubrics for each day of the litrugical year, as observed in the UAOC. The calendar also contains photos of significant events in the life of the church in Ukraine during the previous year.

Now, thanks to the work of our web desingers, uaoc.org has made it possible for you to view the photo gallery from the official 2008 UAOC church calendar. The gallery includes scenes from Metropolitan Mefodiy's busy schedule during the year. There are also pictures of Metropolitan Mykhayil's October, 2007 visit to the Predstoyatel and Patriarchate of the UAOC, the commencement ceremonies of the Ternopil Orthodox Theological Academy and his travels throughout several eparchies of the UAOC in Ukraine.

We are most grateful to His Beatitude, Vlaydka Mefodiy and the Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine, for providing us with this most useful annual calendar and the gallery which celebrates the vibrant life of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in our ancestral motherland.

Mnohaya i blahaya lita, Vladyko! Many, blessed years!

Click here to go to the official UAOC 2008 calendar photo gallery.

PEEKSKILL, NY: A requium Divine Liturgy and Panakhyda was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, on May 25, to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of well-known area cantor, Professor Petro Babey. His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil was the celebrant of the liturgy, which was celebrated according to the Old Church Slavonic translation.

The service, which remembered both Professor Babey and his wife, Margaret, was requested by their daughter, Margaret Babey Lee, who together with her daughters Karen and Melissa and her sister, Marie, has been active in preserving important historical archives of their father/grandfather's ministry and liturgical, choral and cultural works. It was attended by local parishioners and area friends of the Professor.

Professor Babey, a well known cantor in the Peekskill, Greater New York City areas and beyond, graduated from the Cantor and Teachers' Seminary in Prijashiv. He came to the United States in the 1920s. After a short time as cantor in Barnesboro, PA, he was assigned to SS. Peter and Paul Greek Catholic Church, Peekskill, by Bishop Basil Takach.

Since there was no resident pastor at the parish, the Professor immediately took up organizing parish groups and events, holding the people together, teaching cultural and religious school and leading services, especially when no priest could reach the church for the Divine Liturgy. For decades, his renowned choir sang at services in many prominent places and offered concerts and plays of liturgical and cultural themes. Professor Babey retired after 60 years of ministry as cantor, teacher, pastor and choir director. He was a pioneer in the ecumenical movement, introducing many Roman Catholics and others, for the first time, to the beauty of the Eastern Church. In 1995, he reposed in the Lord at age 95.

Vladyka Mykhayil, in his spiritual remarks at the conclusion of the service recalled the Professor's intense dedication to his ministry, which the Metropolitan has always attributed to the fostoring of his own vocation to serve God and church. He also recalled Professor Babey's deep sense of humility and the seriousness with which he conducted his duties. Metropolitan Mykhayil reflected:

«After the very premature death of his beloved wife, the Eparch of that time, Bishop Nicholas T. Elko asked Professor Babey if he would consent to be ordained to the priesthood. As the Professor told me on many occasions, he felt that the spiritual burden of responsibility for others' souls was simply too awesome and too profound a matter for which to be accountable, before God's judgment seat. If only all of us who are priests, would approach the ministry with the same humility and sense of accountability. 100 years after the establishment of the parish he served so faithfully, we can do nothing but wonder, how enduring a presence there would be in Peekskill today, of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Kyivan-Rus', would Professor Babey have accepted the invitation of the bishop.»

May God grant him eternal memory. Vichnaya yomu pamyat!

You may click on the images to enlarge them.

NEW YORK, NY: Marijka and Josyf Hayda, members of Holy Spirit Cathedral Parish participated in the annual Achilles "2008 Hope and Possibility Run/Walk." The event was held in midtown Manhattan's Central Park.

Achilles is a worldwide organization, represented in 60 countries. Their mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, to promote personal achievement, enhanced self esteem and the lowering of barriers between people.

Over 3500 adults, including New York State Governor David Paterson (who is legally blind) and 700 children participated in this annual event.

Marijka, a teacher, was joined by a group of her students and another faculty member. Exciting moments during the day's events included the opportunity to speak with Governor Patterson and to meet "Mr. Met," the NY Mets Major-League Baseball team mascot.

We applaud Marijka and Josyf and all who gave of their time and energy to support an organization which emphasizes inclusivity and the contributions that all people can make to society, no matter what their difficulty or state of life. God bless them for putting faith into action.

CORTLANDT MANOR, NY: The Hudson Valley Hospital Center, serving the northern suburbs of New York City celebrated the installation of fourteen volunteer lay chaplains on June 17, 2008. The group, who participated in a training program at the hospital, led by area clergy and pastoral leaders, will serve as inter-faith chaplains, offering spiritual care and a ministry of comfort to hospital patients.

As part of their training, the chaplains were instructed in the theological prespectives of pastoral care and the practices of ministry to and visitation of the sick in a variety of the faith-traditions. The training specifically aims to prepare the candidates to aptly serve people of different backgrounds and when necessary, direct them to members of the clergy of their particular religious affiliation or denomination.

His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, who was honored to present one of the seminars, entitled "A Theology of Pastoral Care" for the candidates, was in attendance at the installation ceremony. The assembly was welcomed by hospital president, John C. Federspiel, while the service was led by Margaret Byrne, Pastoral Care Coordinator at the facility. The Rev. Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey, Pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and President of the Peekskill Area Pastors Association offered a reflection. The chaplains were asked to pledge their commitment to their new ministry by Ms. Tonja Inlaw, Director of Volunteer Services.

The program is jointly sponsored by the Hudson Valley Hospital Center's Pastoral Care Committee and the Peekskill Area Pastors Association (PAPA).

PEEKSKILL, NY: It was sixteen years ago June 16, that Margaret Anna Javchak Champion, mother of His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil Javchak Champion entered into eternal rest. Vladyka Mykhayil offered a short reflection during a Parastas celebrated in her memory:

«While the sixteen years that have passed can seem like such a short while ago, time also brings about both adjustment and change. Through the pain and the loss, we somehow learn to live life anew, amidst the void left by the demise of loved ones. It is comforting that I still meet people who recall to me their memories of my mother or some recollection of her great charity and good works. This is certainly a large part of the meaning of our traditional prayer, "Eternal Memory - Vichnaya Pamyat."»

«Margaret was indeed a special person, with an energy for God and for others, rarely seen in one individual. While she was dedicated to her Ukrainian faith and church, her special charism and gift was to be available to serve others, no matter who they were or what their particular difficulty may have been. She worked in cooperation with the Divine "problem solver." For Margaret, anyone who asked for her help was an icon of Christ. We, the many of us, were enriched by her life and I believe that we continue to be graced by the prayers she offers for us from her place of repose with the Lord.»

Vladyka concluded with the liturgical phraseology, «Blessed are they whom you have chosen and received, O Lord. The remembrance of them is from generation to generation.»

NEW YORK: Faithful of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church from the greater New York City area gathered on June 15, to observe the annual pilgrimage in honor of the "kramove svyata" or "patronal holiday" of the cathedral church. The day was Pentecost Sunday, also known as "Zelena Svyata" or "Green Holiday" and commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit, to which the cathedral parish is dedicated.

The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated outdoors, at a shrine-altar, set in a tree-lined grove filled with icons, candles and other Ukrainian Orthodox religious symbols. The ceremony began with the formal "Greeting of the Metropolitan" by Protopresbyter Yuriy Kasyanov, Protosyngelos of the UAOC Eparchy of the United States and Dean of the Greater New York Deanery, and Pani Marijka Hayda, a member of the cathedral parish. They welcomed Metropolitan Mykhayil for the service with the traditional offerings of bread, salt, the altar hand-cross and words of kindness and appreciation.

During the course of the Divine Liturgy, Vladyka Mykhayil tonsured and elevated Seminarian Mothana Al-Sawalha to the order of Reader. The newly-ordained reader completed his studies at the Orthodox Theological Academy (Jerusalem Patriarchate) in Amman, Jordan, before coming to the United States and attending the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Concelebrating the Liturgy with the Metropolitan was the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Yuriy Kasyanov, Dean  & Pastor of St. Michael Parish, Brooklyn-Long Island, New York, the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Vasyl  Demyanyk of the UAOC eparchial cathedral in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine; the Very Rev. Archpriest Samir Alejilat, first-priest of the Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit and administrator of St. George Mission in Yonkers, NY.

After the Divine Liturgy, keeping with Ukrainian custom, a procession was held around the grounds to the parish garden, where the service of the "Small Blessing of Water" was celebrated. A special blessing of the garden, which was planted as a joint-project of parishioners of the cathedral parish also took place. Vladyka Mykhayil, before blessing the crops, sprinkled soil brought from Ukraine during his 2005 visit. The soil is of particular significance because it is from the personal garden of Metropolitan Andriy Sheptytskyj, located near St. George Cathedral in Lviv.

Metropolitan Sheptytskyj, a well known Ukrainian religious and patriotic leader, is revered by people of all faiths for his courage, wisdom, and dedication to the ecumenical and Ukrainian independence movements. From 1900 to 1944, he helped sustain Ukraine through two world wars, brief independence and numerous occupations. With other Ukrainian leaders, he has been recognized as "Righteous among the Nations" for his successful efforts to save many people during the Holocaust.

After the services, coffee and dough nuts were served. An afternoon Barbecue and refreshments followed at the Hayda residence. The pilgrimage and festivity has become an annual tradition for the UAOC parishioners from across the metropolitan New York area.

In his comments at the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil thanked each of the priests, their pani-matkas and families for the work they do on behalf of our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. He addressed the newly-ordained reader, admonishing him to "treasure this day, on which you first enter into the clerical state and begin your journey, if it is God's will, towards the holy priesthood." Vladyka thanked all the members of the faithful, who worked together in many different ways, to make the celebration of "Zelena Svyata" a success.

Click on each of the photos to enlarge them. Please see also, special panoramic pictures available in the article which follows below, "Pentecost Message from Vladyka Mykhayil."

 

 

 

 

 

Slava Isusu Khrystu!
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Gloria a Jesucristo!

Dear Faithful in Christ,

June 15, 2007

Today's holyday is always a special one for our people. It celebrates life and the continual gift of God's Spirit, the source of life. The color green which we use, signifies that we are alive and good, and full of the healthy presence of God within us.

God's Spirit brings excitement and today, we have much to be excited about. Our church, which we have shown others, not to be made of stone and wood, but of God's people themselves, celebrates its birthday. Our cathedral parish observes its annual patronal festival; and we remember and remind the world of 1020 years of Christian faith in our spiritual motherland, Ukraine. Indeed, these are things of which we are proud and excited.

The future is always right ahead of us and the past, just a short distance behind. Time passes quickly, but when we act in the Spirit of God, there is no separation of time - only the fullness of time. As we gather today as the church, from throughout the greater New York City area, let us remember that God's Spirit is moving us onwards, with all of the gifts which that Spirit bestows - wisdom, knowledge, prudence, courage, understanding, justice, truth.

From our heart, we greet the worldwide Predstoyatel of our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude, Vladyka Mefodiy, the Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, asking for his fatherly blessing on this festive day.

We also extend our congratulations to Vladyka Roman of Vinnitsya, Vladyka Andriy of Ivano-Frankivsk and all of our bishops and priests in Ukraine. Our holiday best wishes are sent also to Archbishop Odon, together with our God-loving people in Latin America and all the clergy and faithful of our UAOC community, wherever they may be.

The words of the Amvon prayer for Pentecost speak of how the Lord sustained the disciples through the constant presence of the Spirit's many gifts. My prayer is that each of us, in our individual way, may light the world by using and promoting the gifts of the Spirit of God.

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

+Mykhayil
Metropolitan of New York & America
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

Click on each photo to enlarge them.

see also uaoc.org

KYIV: May 21, 2008 - The Secretariat of the President of Ukraine issued a judgment which delivers the historic Church of St. Andrew from  being part of the national historical park "Sofia Kyiv." to the property of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC). A spokeswoman for the historical reserve, Jeanne Litvinchuk, frantically called the transfer a "catastrophe" because she believes that the historic building will now be excluded from the UNESCO "List of World Heritage Sites" (this will be discussed in July at a meeting of UNESCO in Quebec). Representatives of the UAOC expressed their "satisfaction with justice."

The judgment ends a long conflict between the historical reserve and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, since the church church was permitted to hold worship services there in 2000. Until this recent transfer, the church was considered a "working museum" where concerts and other civic events were held in addition to religious services. In recent times, the Primate of the UAOC, Metropolitan Mefodiy, has consistently requested the authorities to provide funding for the upkeep and restoration of the property, if indeed it was to continue to be considered a museum and held in federal hands. According to Kommersant Ukraine, on Wednesday, Vladyka Mefodiy and the head of the historical reserve "Adrisky Tserkva-Sofia Kyiv" met with the Secretariat of the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko. The decision was made, to transfer the property to the UAOC.

Litvanchuk, lamenting her committee's loss of the historic church, expressed her concerns about the 18th century canvas icons in the church which "require special attention," to protect them from "ruin due to exposure to the soot of paraffin candles on the exhibits."

Assistant to the Primate of the UAOC, Fr. Andriy of the Eparchy of Ternopil, assured that "the candles are made in the Rivne region of pure beeswax and are harmless to the canvases." According to Fr. Andriy, what is destroying St. Andrew's Church are the weekly "violin and piano concerts" and "various award ceremonies of the Freemasons" which are held there, sponsored by Litvanchuk's historical reserve committee.

Father Andiy said that at a meeting with the Chief of the Humanitarian Ministry, SP Alexander Bystrushinkina, the director of the historical reserve "Sofia Kyiv" Nelya Kukovalskaya said that the entire part of the reserve known as "Andievskuyu Tserkov" will be transferred. "Apparently, the director of the reserve now feels that it is advantageous to give St. Andrew's Church to us entirely, than to pay for the high public utility bills," added Fr. Andriy. He also noted that lawyers for the UAOC are now working on the documents of tranfer and that soon, it should be signed by Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

St. Andrew's Church was built by an order of the Russian Empress Elizabeth on her arrival in Kyiv in 1744. Constructed between 1749-1754, the church is notable for its famous Italian baroque architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who worked together with Moscow architect Ivan Michurin. According to legend, the church was built on the ground where the Apostle Andrew once planted a cross and predicted the emergence of a major Christian city, during his voyage along the Dnipro River.

Divine services were held there during visits of the imperial family to Kyiv. In 1919, it was transferred to the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and was in use until 1938 and again from 1942-43. Many important councils and ordinations of the UAOC took place in St. Andrew Church. In September 1968, the Soviet regime opened the church as a museum. It was closed from 1992 until 2000 for restoration, after which the UAOC was again permitted to hold services there.

Sources:
Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine
Religious Information Service of Ukraine
Kommersant Ukraine

KYIV, UKRAINE - His Beatitude, Mefodiy, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, Worldwide Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church will commemorate the feast of his patronal saint on Saturday, May 24.

On that day, the church calendar honors the two brothers from Thessalonika, Equals to the Apostles and Teachers of the Slavs, SS. Cyril and Methodius (Kyril & Mefodiy). They were among the first to bring Christianity to Slavic lands. In addition, they were responsible for translating the Scriptures, Divine Liturgy and other services into Church Slavonic, which then represented a common language understood by the Slav people. Since there was no written language at the time, it was St. Cyril who devised the alphabet with which to transcribe the sacred books. The Cyrillic alphabet is still used to today, with local variations, by many Eastern European countries, including Ukraine.

Beginning their work in the 9th century, the two brother-saints sailed from Greece to Bulgaria and travelled across Eastern and Central Europe, teaching the Eastern form of Christianity. Some traditions hold that St. Mefodiy was the first bishop of the ancient See of Mukachevo, in Ukraine's Transcarpathian region.

His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil together with the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church throughout North and South America wish His Beatitude, the beloved Predstoyatel of the UAOC, Metropolitan MEFODIY, peace, health, salvation and the furtherance in every good thing, as he continues to guide our church from the Patriarchal See of Kyiv in our Ukrainian motherland.

All clergy of the UAOC Metropolia of America are instructed by Metropolitan Mykhayil to offer special petitions for the intentions of His Beatitude, Vladyka Mefodiy, during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, May 25, 2008.

May God grant to his high-priestly servant, the Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, Mefodiy, Worldwide Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, peace, health and happiness for many and blessed years. Muchos años, Señor - Mnohaya i blahaya l'ita, Vladyko!

VATICAN CITY, MAY 22, 2008 - According to the popular Rome-watching news agency Zenit.org, two high-ranking Vatican officials have praised the work of the organization "Aid to the Church in Need" for fostering ties between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches. The German-based group is an international charity which answers directly to the Vatican.

In seperate meetings with leaders of the organization, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope's secretary of state and Cardinal Waltar Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, expressed their appreciation for the work of "Aid to the Church in Need" in assisting the Russian Orthodox Church.

The charitable-aid group has been working to promote a positive image of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia by supporting the education of Russian Orthodox seminarians and priests. It has also distributed a documentary film about Benedict XVI, which was broadcast on April 16 by Russian state television. The film also contained a message of greeting from the Pope to the Russian people.

Cardinal Bertone called "Aid to the Church in Need" a "focus of closer contacts with the Orthodox Church," according to a statement from the group. In his meeting with the organization's delegation, Cardinal Kasper said he believes that Catholics and Orthodox should strive to share true and accurate information about each other.

Bertone is scheduled to be in Lviv, Ukraine, from 23-24 of May, for the beatification of Sister Marta Viestska, a Roman Catholic nun. The beatification will take place during an outdoor Roman Rite mass celebrated by the Cardinal in Bohdan Khemelnytskyj Park. Seven - ten thousand pilgrims are expected to attend from various parts of Europe, according to the Lviv Police Department. The news was reported by the Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU).

KYIV: The president of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko, met with the Worldwide Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude, Mefodiy, on May 21, 2008. During the meeting they discussed issues related to the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus.

The president expressed the belief that the celebration of this event will facilitate the furtherance of Christian values in Ukrainian society.

The head of state also hoped that the upcoming celebration will help overcome the divisions in Ukrainian Orthodoxy. "We will seek to take the path of dialogue. This celebration, in the first place, should be a step towards the unity of all Orthodox churches," stressed Viktor Yushchenko.

To solemnize the July-August 2008 celebration in Ukraine of the 1020th anniversary of the baptism of Kyivan-Rus, and in support of public and community initiatives, President Yushchenko signed a decree, "On the celebration in Ukraine of the 1020th Anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus," which established the Organizing Committee for the preparation of the celebration.

The committee includes representatives of the three Orthodox jurisdictions as well as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Sources:
Official Website of the President of Ukraine
Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine

Altercation initiated by Bishop of UOC-KP

ODESSA, UKRAINE: After a significant period of court litigation, the Church of St. George the Victorious, which had been part of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church until recent years, was returned to the UAOC faithful of the Odessa Eparchy. During the interim period, the edifice was unlawfully taken into the possession of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate. The Dean of the UAOC in Odessa, the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Konstyantyn Polikopa announced the news on May 10, just days after the Feast day of the Saint George (May 6).

The happy news was celebrated by the people of the UAOC-Odessa Eparchy who listed to a spiritual talk given by Fr. Polikopa, calling the return of the Church of St. George to the UAOC faithful a "righteous victory."

In an unfortunate and unprovoked altercation, the UOC-KP Bishop of Odessa and Crimea Yakiv (Makarchuk), physically struck a UAOC priest, the Very Rev. Protopresybter Yaroslav Buhrynets in the face, resulting in the latter's treatment at a nearby hospital emergency room for a concussion and other injuries sustained in the attack. He remained in the hospital for three days.

The episode occurred during a memorial service in honor of veterans of the Soviet-Afghanistan War, and was witnessed by members of the militia, police force, reporters and the public who had assembled (see video). Fr. Yaroslav, who was instrumental in the effort to return the church to the UAOC, is himself a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

In commenting on the incident, Fr. Buhrynets said he intends to file charges with the police to bring Bishop Makarchuk to justice for his actions. Makarchuk himself declared, "I hereby pass earthly judgment," while brutally striking the priest in the face.

Sources:

Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine:
Church of St. George the Victorious returned to the jurisdiction of the UAOC
Bishop of the UOC-KP strikes UAOC priest
Video of the assault on Fr. Yaroslav Buhrynets
Dean of UAOC in Odessa: "Deeds of UOC-KP bishop far from Christianity"
Bishop of UAOC in Odessa brutally beats UAOC priest
"We pray that God grant all veterans health and many years"

Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU)

Click on images to enlarge them.

PEEKSKILL, NY: Mothers Day was a time to honor and remember all of the mothers of the cathedral parish. Following a custom in many places, parishioners made lists of all mothers, grandmothers and significant women in the their lives, both living and departed. Special petitions were taken and the names were read during celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

Special honor was given to Kouria (Pani Matka) Rania Alejilat, wife of Archpriest Samir Alejilat, as the "matushka" of the parish family. Recognition was also give to Pani Mariya Hayda, for her many contributions to parish life. Vladyka Mykhayil presented both women with floral tributes and an icon of the Mother of God from Ukraine.

In his remarks, the Metropolitan spoke of how appropriate this year was, with the coindicing of Mothers Day on the civil calendar with the Sunday of the Ointment-Bearing Women on the liturgical calendar.

"As we know from the Gospels' accounts, certain very special women followed Jesus from Gallilee to Jerusalem, caring for his needs and remaining faithful to him right until the very end. Their attention to detail was undaunted and their faithfulness true and unfaltering. We are fortunate to have in our communities today and throughout the history of our church, women without whom much would not be accomplished in the name of the Lord. In our own parish, we are blessed to have these very special women as part of our family," said Vladyka Mykhayil.

It was also a notable occasion because the cathedral parish received a gift in the form of a bottle of oil mixed with the myrrh which to this day gushes forth in the Church of St. George the Great-Martyr, in the town of Madaba, Jordan. Mothanna Al Sawalha, a member of the parish, who recently returned from his native Jordan, obtained the oil from the local priest, to present to Metropolitan Mykhayil. Father Samir Alejilat explained to the congregation, the history of the miracle of St. George in this special church.

"In the city, there was a girl who was blind, deaf and mute. During a time of prayer in the church she was able to hear the sound of the horse approaching and to see the saint on his horse, drawing a sword. The girl knew that it was St. George and to everyone's surprise, she brought it to their attention. After the incident, a footprint of the saint's horse remained on the church wall, as a testimony, where it exudes sweet myrrh until this day." Many healings have been attributed to the oil collected from the miraculous print of the horse of "St George the Myrrh-Gusher."

As the faithful approached to venerate the cross, Vladyka Mykhayil anointed each one with the miraculous oil. The Metropolitan commented that it was appropriate that the cathedral parish received this holy oil during this week, when the Feastday of St. George is celebrated. In fact, the oil was transported from Jordan to New York on May 6, the same day that the liturgical calendar celebrated the memory of this great saint.

Following the services, a Mothers Day coffee social was served for all those in attendance.

 

 

At the request of the Hayda family, the Metropolitan then traveled to the Bronx to celebrate a Panakhyda service at the grave of the mother and grandmother of Josyf Hayda. We ask God's continued blessing upon all of the mothers and significant women in our lives as we also keep spiritual communion with those who have left the temporal world but are alive with God.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

 

 

PEEKSKILL, NY, May 6, 2008: His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil was among religious, civic and community representatives who joined in a ceremony in memory of all victims of the Holocaust. A special part of this year's observance was the honorary naming of a city street, in honor of Pope John XXIII, a Catholic leader who opened the door to change in relations between Christians and Jews.The pontiff's efforts were aimed to "ensure that the foundations of Christian Antisemitism were shattered" (International Angelo Roncalli Committee).

The street runs approximately the distance between the First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill and the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, adjacent to the popular "Beach Shopping Center." Its renaming occurred through the vision of Rabbi Claudio J. Kupchik, leader of the First Hebrew Congregation, who first brought the idea to the table at a meeting of the Peekskill Area Pastors Association (PAPA). The project was approved through the cooperation of PAPA, the Rev.Thomas P. Kiely pastor of the Roman Catholic parish and the Peekskill City administration, led by Mayor Mary F. Foster.

Importantly, the naming of the street in honor of Pope Roncalli recalls the instrumental role he played in the summoning of the church to the Second Vatican Council, which led to the publication of Nostra Aetate, the council's "Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions." This document strongly condemned Antisemitism, recognized the common heritage shared by Jews and Christians and acknowledged the presence of the "divine mystery" in many religious expressions. Together with the "Declaration on Religious Freedom" (Dignitatis Humanae) and the Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio), these writings changed dramatically, the view of the Roman Church towards non-Catholics and encouraged a spirit of solidarity and cooperation among people of faith everywhere.

During the course of the Second World War and the atrocities of the Nazi regime, Archbishop Angelo Roncalli, as the Apostolic Delegate in Istanbul, was actively engaged in the rescue of Jews there. Additionally, as a seasoned member of the Vatican diplomatic corps, he worked with officials in Hungary and Bulgaria to save countless Jews in those countries from deportation and extermination. In light of his heroic acts, the Holocaust memorial service was a fitting time in which to re-name the street in honor of the man whom many came to call "Good Pope John."

Joining Rabbi Kupchik in the memorial service and renaming ceremony were Peekskill Mayor Mary F. Foster, Auxiliary Bishop Robert A. Brucato (retired) of the RC Archdiocese of New York, Metropolitan Mykhayil Javchak Champion of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the Rev. Thomas P. Kiely, the Rev. Dr. Adolphus Lacey, of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, president of PAPA, the Rev. Dr. Mark Ioset of the Peekskill Presbyterian Church, Zvi Kichel, vice-president of the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, Westchester County Legislator George Oros, and other representatives of religious and civic organizations. Testimonies were given by Holocaust survivor, Elizabeth Lubell, who is a member of the First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill and Daniella Rosen, the daughter of two survivor parents, also a member of the local Congregation. Names were read of relatives of Peekskill area residents, who were victims of the Shoah.

After the conclusion of the ceremonies at the Beach Shopping Center, participants were invited to the Synagogue, where they were able to light a candle in memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. May their memories be eternal and a blessing to us all. Vichnaya Pamyat' - Blazheniyj Spokiy.

Pictures in order from the top: (1) Rabbi Claudio J. Kupchik welcomes the assembly to the ceremony. (2) Metropolitan Mykhayil reads an account of the heroic efforts of the Sweedish Foreign Minster in Budapest, Raoul Wallenberg. (3) The historic art deco sign of the Beach Shopping Center marks the beginning of Angelo Roncalli Way. (4) Dignitaries unveil the new street sign. (5) Holocaust survivor Elizabeth Lubell, originally from Eastern Europe, a member of the First Hebrew Congregation speakes with Metropolitan Mykhayil. (6) Asking to see the Metropolitan's panagia and learing it is from Ukraine, the two begin a short chat in Ukrainian. (7) The Metropolitan converses with Bishop Brucato and Zvi Kichel, vice-president of the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, prior to the ceremony. (8) Vladyka Mykhayil speaks with Westchester County Legislator George Oros. (9) Mayor Foster and Metropolitan Mykhayil discuss issues pertinent to improvement of community life in Peekskill. (10) Cathedral parishioner Mariya Hayda and Vladyka Mykhayil light a candle in memory of Holocaust victims.

 

 

 

 

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY, May 5, 2008: "Priesthood in Crisis, A Church in Trouble" was the title for a lecture by Father Donald Cozzens, Professor at John Carroll University, and former rector of St. Mary Seminary & Graduate School of Theology, both in Cleveland, Ohio. The well known priests has written five award winning books that speak honestly about the crisis in the Catholic priesthood and discuss options available in response. He was introduced by Kenneth L. Woodward, contributing editor for Newsweek Magazine and an organizer of the event.

Statistics presented by Fr. Cozzens reveal that there are approximately 42,000 Catholic priests in the US today, 28,000 of which are diocesan priests. Of these, only 21,000 are active. Of the 10,640 religious order priests in the country, only one third are serving in parishes. The average age of priests in the United States in 62, and there are more who are over 90 years of age then those who are 35 or younger. The number of seminarians is down 60 per cent from 1965.

Cozzens presented a varied list of reasons for the decline in the number of priests, ranging from shifts in the class and social position of American Catholics, to an enhanced theology of the laity, defined by the Second Vatican Council, to changes in the birth rate for Catholic families. (Catholic couples now have an average of two children, which is equal to the average for all Americans nationwide.)

Priestly celibacy and clericalism were among the topics discussed by the speaker. According to surveys, 67 per cent of Catholic priests say that they are against mandatory celibacy. Celibacy for clergy, while not required in the Eastern Churches, (Catholic or Orthodox), was mandated for the Roman Church only in the 12th. century and not taken seriously in many places until the Council of Trent in the 16th. century. While the Latin Code of Canon Law calls celibacy a "gift of the Holy Spirit," Fr. Cozzens asks the question, "can a gift of the Holy Spirit be 'mandated'?" Many feel the church is in dire need of a renewed theology of sexuality.

Certainly, the clergy abuse crisis which surfaced in January 2002, has done much to harm the image of the priesthood for laity, as well as causing severe damage to the morale of honest, dedicated priests. Cozzens however cautions that a clear distinction must be drawn between pedophilia, which medical science defines as an illness in which one is attracted to those in their pre-pubescent years, and homosexuality. There are not more pedophiles among priests than among other professions and most clergy abuse cases have centered on post-pubescent youths. The church has been served by many wonderful gay and straight priests, according to Fr. Cozzens. Nevertheless, a climate of clericalism and secrecy in the church have been at the heart of many problems concerning the priesthood. Ecclesiastical elitism has created an environmentt which freezes a person's humanity and makes real friendships almost impossible, reflected the speaker.

In conclusion, Fr. Cozzens said that the Catholic Church is "the last feudal system in the West," in which the hierarchy is given discretionary control over all church affairs. He feels that this model must be reconsidered as to its suitability to be the best model for the church today. In relating that the American church has one of the most educated laity of any other period in church history, Cozzens concluded candidly that "a feudal system doesn't work when you have educated serfs."

After the lecture, Metropolitan Mykhayil had the opportunity to speak with Fr. Cozzens, who was rector of St. Mary Seminary & Graduate School of Theology, in the administration directly after the Metropolitan's graduation. Vladyka Mykhayil presented Fr. Cozzens with a print of his episcopal coat of arms, which includes the shield of the seminary. Fr. Cozzens happily said that he would bring the print back to Cleveland, to present to the current rector, Fr. Thomas Tifft, who served as academic dean and professor of church history during the Metropolitan's studies there.

Many thanks to Fr. Donald Cozzens for an inspiring and truthful presentation on a topic which is of great interest and concern for the many people of the suburban New York City area who were in attendance. The evening's event was the seasonal finale of the popular monthly lecture series sponsored each year by St. Teresa's parish in Briarcliff Manor. The program will resume again in the fall.

May 4, 2004 - The Sunday of St. Thomas the Apostle was observed among the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit as a day of special paschal blessings. Continuing the spiritual joy of the Easter season, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, pastor of the Cathedral Church, told the congregation in a homily after the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy:

"Today's scripture readings tell of the powerful spirit of excitement and energy that followed Jesus' resurrection and ascension. The community of believers were so alive in their resurrection-faith that many 'signs and wonders occurred among the people' (Acts 5:12). Although they were despised by religious leaders of their own day, 'the people held them in great esteem (and) . . . men and women in great numbers were added to the Lord' (Acts 5: 14)."

"Just as after the difficult time of Jesus' rejection, suffering and death, God brought about a spiritual transformation among the first disciples, so too will he bring about powerful signs among us today. This time of Pascha is to be one of rebirth in our parish. It will be a period of growth in our witness to the spirit of the love of God which we share in Jesus, and the gift of our own unique Ukrainian Christian expression. I call down that spirit which has the power to accomplish 'many signs and wonders' to lift up and motivate us in these days" concluded Vladyka Mykhayil.

The traditional final blessing of the Artos was performed, follwed by several special blessings requested by the Hayda family. Ivan Hayda, son of Josyf and Mariya Hayda, who is currently completing his studies and training at the Firefighters' Academy approached the Metropolitan for a special prayer and blessing. Using texts from the Trebnyk, Vladyka Mykhayil prayed that Ivan be granted a "heart of courage against evil forces" and that he be "sent a radiant angel" of protection.

Sprinkling with blessed water, the Metropolitan, himself a first-responder to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, proclaimed, "The blessing of the Lord be you. Take courage and let your heart be strengthened, and place your trust in the Lord."

The Hayda family had another unique blessing to request from their pastor. Over the past year, each person, father, mother and son designed and executed special, one of a kind art, symbolic of their dedication to their Orthodox faith, Ukrainian heritage and unique vocation in life. Mrs. Hayda wears an Orthodox cross with the letters representing the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Hayda chose the fish, one of the earliest of Christian symbols, also the Greek lettering for Jesus Christ. Ivan's symbol incorporates his calling as a firefighter and first-responder, his family members and the tryzub with cross, identifying his heritage from Ukrainian soil and Orthodox patrimony.

Reading again from the Trebnyk, Vladyka Mykhayil prayed for "a blessing from above upon these symbols that, strengthened by the power of heavenly protection, they may be efficacious even unto bodily salvation and an aid to those who make use of them."

Asked about this innovative blessing, Vladyka Mykhayil responded, "We must be congizant of the self-expressive practices among the younger members of our community in each and every decade. We need not necessarily condemn that which we are not acustomed to, but after careful reflection and sensible, educated conclusions, we can emphasize those positive qualities which are at the core of our people's acts of self-expression. These particular members of our community could have chosen to utilize a wide variety of common-day, secular symbols to fulfill their desire for individualism. Rather, they opted to incorporate what is most important to them - their faith, their heritage and their family. What more could any pastor pray for, when attempting to instill Christian values in his flock? The Hayda family serve as an example of priorities put in their proper order and making the most of an opportunity to witness to these values in a comtemporary way."

A coffee and dougnut social follwed the services, generously offered by the Haydas. God grant them many years. Khrystos Voskres!

 

 

GARRISON, NY, May 1, 2008: 100 years after they began the annual "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," which today is observed by Christians of different denominations across the globe, the Society of the Atonement issued the following statement:

PRESS RELEASE

As of May 1, 2008, all Byzantine Services and activities conducted by Archbishop Mykahyil of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church will cease at the headquarters of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Graymoor, Garrison, NY.  The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church is not an Orthodox Church with which the Roman Catholic Church is in dialogue; This action has been undertaken after consultation with the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, DC. Further enquiries may be directed to Fr. Walter Gagne, SA, Guardian at Graymoor (845-424-2120) or to Fr.John Keane, SA, Ecumenical Officer for the Atonement Friars (202-722-1893).

KYIV, April 27, 2008  -  The President of Ukraine took part in the paschal services at the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Cathedral Church of St. Andrew the First-called Apostle. Keeping with church practice, Viktor Yushchenko kissed the icon of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-called on entering the cathedral. The Predstoyatel (Primate) of the UAOC, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy then addressed the President with Easter greetings.

After this, the Head of the nation joined in the Divine Services. Afterwards, Viktor Yushchenko left the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle and made his way to the Holy Dormition Cathedral.

Taking part in the worship services were also the family of the President, the Prime-Minister of Ukraine, government officials and national deputies.

Source: Press Service of the Patriarchate of the UAOC
with material from the Press Service of the Administration of the President of Ukraine

MANIZALES, COLOMBIA:  Construction on the eparchial complex for the UAOC archeparchy of Latin America is moving closer and closer to its planned completion. Recent fotos sent from South America, show a vast level of progress on the upper levels of the structure. With the help of many of the faithful of the eparchy and devoted friends and benefactors, the temple is now situated in its permanent location on the second level, while work continues on the interior of the cathedral and the levels above.

His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil first celebrated the Divine Liturgy and blessed the developing structure, during his pastoral visit to Colombia in September, 2005. The visit was in observance of the 15th. Jubilee year of the third resurrection of the UAOC. At that time, the worship space was located on the lower level, while construction awaited on the upper floors. During the days spent among our people in the Latin American eparchy, Vladyka Mykhayil was able to witness in many ways, their deep faith, sincere devotion to the UAOC as their mother church and a great willingness to give of their limited resources to errect an appropriate edifice to represent and identify the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church among the churches of their country and throughout Latin America.

Located on a prominent corner in the city-center of Manizales, the eparchial complex, when completed, will consist of the following: The ground level will be used for parking. The second level houses the cathedral church and a social center for the gathering of the faithful. On the third level will be contained the eparchial cultural and heritage musuem, for the display of religious artifacts and distinct items, important to the Ukrainian and Latin American religious heritage of our people there.

The fourth level, will be utilized as a seminary, with classrooms and living quarters for the seminarians of the eparchy. Our eparchy of Latin America has its own program of studies for candidates for the priesthood, religious life and those wishing to persue the study of Orthodox theology. Vocations, those studying for the service of the church have been abundant and are increasing. Also on the top level will be an apartment for the residence of the UAOC Archbishop of Latin America.

The UAOC eparch of Latin America, His Excellency, Archbishop Odon Abad Gomez Barbosa, in a conversation with Metropolitan Mykhayil stated that, "the cathedal church and eparchial complex are meant to be a tribute to the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church here in South America. It is being constructed not only to serve our own purposes, but to be a witness to the unique ministry of the UAOC." Archbishop Odon continued, "Here in Latin America, we are often overshadowed by the trememdous presence of the Roman Catholic Church. While we recongzie them as our brothers and sisters in Christ, we feel compelled to make Orthodoxy seen and understood by all people in our country. It is our dream that when completed, the eparchial center will serve as a tower of faith that will be a sign to all who pass by this corner."

Provided here, are a selection of photos taken last month in Colombia. They show the progress of the contruction project. Visible is the exterior and interior of the building, the yet unfinished cathedral church, work being done by seminarians of the eparchy and Archbishop Odon with some of the dedicated UAOC clergy. Very much a "hands-on" person, Vladyka Odon has offered much personal sacrifice and countless amounts of time and energy, for the continuation of the cathedral complex. He has done so often in the face of unanticipated structural and financial delays, without ever loosing faith or sacrificing the original intended plans for the building.

In commenting on the progress of the church in Latin America, His Eminence, Vladyka Mykhayil, Metropolitan of the Americas was quick to say, "I have every confidence and trust in Vladyka Odon, our beloved clergy and the people of God of our UAOC in Latin America. Having witnessed first-hand, their determination and self-giving and having kept a deep personal interest in the development of the eparchial complex, I look with great joy to my next visit, knowing that their faith will inspire me again, as it did in 2005. Ultimately, I anticipate with hope, the solemn dedication of the completed cathedral, seminary and eparchial center. I pray that as anticipated, I will celebrate this occasion jointly with Archbishop Odon and His Beatitude, the Predstoyatel of our UAOC, Metropolitan Mefodiy."

In Ukraine in October, 2007, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy discussed with Vladyka Mykhayil, the possibility and probability of traveling together to South America, during a future visit of the Predstoyatel to the American continent.

May God, who has begun this good work among our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox people in South America, bring it to a fruitful and prosperous completion.

 

 

 

KYIV - In the historic St. Sofia Cathedral, President Victor Yushchenko solemnly handed over Easter Flame to representatives of Orthodox Church confessions and to delegates from Ukrainian regions. This tradition had been established by President Yushchenko back in 2005.

“Let the Easter festival fill our hearts with pride in the of greatness of our native land, with happiness about the rejuvenation of the Ukrainian nation, about the acquired liberty and statehood. Let the Flame of Grace from the Holy Sepulchre protect our families, homes and all Ukraine”, - said Victor Yushchenko during the ceremony.

The participants of the ceremony were Orthodox clergy, representatives from Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic and Armenian Churches, leadership of the state, regional administration deputy-heads (who would bring the Flame of Grace to their regions), state deputies, etc.

After the event President is scheduled to visit festive liturgies in churches of four Ukrainian Orthodox and Greek Catholic confessions: St Volodymyr's Cathedral (Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate), St. Basil the Great Church (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle Cathedral (Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church) and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate)

Source: Official Website of the President of Ukraine

To His Beatitude MEFODIY, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine
Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church
Pascha, April 27, 2008

Khrystos Voskres! Voistinu Voskres! Blazhenishiyj Vladyko, Blahoslovit! From our hearts, we here in the Americas greet you with our love and devotion, as we celebrate the Great Day of the Lord’s Resurrection.

Our prayers are with you, that this Pascha will be a time of blessing and renewal for our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine and throughout the world.

Beloved Vladyko, we pray that the Risen Christ will grant you an abundance of strength, health and inspiration, as you continue to lead our church with perseverance, wisdom and love. We pray for our motherland, Ukraine, its government, clergy and people, that the place in which dwells the fullness of our spiritual inheritance be granted peace and prosperity in every good thing.

We ask your blessing and prayers, Vladyko, as we ourselves remain steadfast to the mission of our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church throughout the Diaspora..

Most faithfully in the Lord who rose from the dead,

+MYKHAYIL
Metropolitan of New York

Very Rev. Protopresbyter Yuriy Kasyanov
Protosyngelos

Source:  Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine

In observance of the Easter holidays, Bishop Jesep has penned a thought-provoking reflection aimed to direct readers' minds to the deeper meanings of the season of resurrection. It may be read in English and Ukrainian in the Bishop's own section of uaoc.org by following the links below:

An Easter Reflection - Why Did Jesus Die?

Read Article in Ukrainian

"Crucifying Jesus and Secularizing America -- The Republic of Faith without Wisdom," authored by Bishop Paul Peter Jesep of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) was published this month.  The UAOC is Ukraine's third largest Orthodox Church. Gregorious IV, Patriarch of Antioch, was the UAOC's primary ordaining prelate of the UAOC's restored 1942 hierarchy.

"Jesus is crucified everyday in the United States," says Bishop Jesep.  "Christians, especially Evangelical conservatives, show greater hostility toward their brothers and sisters than wrongly accused atheists, liberals, humanists, Democratic activists, or card carrying members of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).  Christians have more to fear from other Christians than secularists and humanists. Christian conservatives are responsible for secularizing America."

Nine self-contained essays makeup the book. The essays address: religious protections provided by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Christian demonization of neighbors who should be loved, the search for a national faith that welcomes all Americans, the misuse of government to introduce an abusive moral code, the myth that faith is under attack, and the need to rebuild the metaphorical wall that separates church and state.

According to Bishop Jesep, "In this year's presidential campaign, candidate's seeking the White House must show how their faith unites one nation under the same God. Candidates must demonstrate not just what faith means to them, but how their faith will bring all Americans together. Every American must have a place at God's fellowship table."

"The misuse of religion has divided the country," he said. "Citizens must hold politicians and spiritual leaders accountable who pit neighbors against one another by misusing faith, religion, and patriotism. Americans need to reflect on what it means to be a nation of faith by distinguishing faith from denominational vanity."

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy, of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, appointed Bishop Jesep to serve as his Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations in the United States. His Beatitude has publicly said that a Ukrainian Church cannot be Ukrainian if it is subservient to someone.  The UAOC is canonical to God and country.

Bishop Jesep, consecrated to the episcopacy in 2003, also serves as Chancellor of the Metropolia of All America of the UAOC and a member of the college of consulters to His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, of New York.

The views expressed by Bishop Jesep in the book are his own and do not reflect those of the UAOC. His thought-provoking book may be purchased at:

"Crucifying Jesus and Secularizing America -- The Republic of Faith without Wisdom"

Press Release, April 29, 2008, Bishop Paul Peter Jesep in cooperation with the Press Service of the UAOC-America

NEW YORK - His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, UAOC Metropolitan of New York & All America observed Passion Week & Pascha with the traditional schedule of services in the Cathedral Parish of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. At sunrise on April 27, he was joined by clergy of the UAOC and a large representation of faithful from throughout the greater New York City area, for Resurrection Matins and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.

The congregation consisted of parishioners of the cathedral as well as other parishes. The diversity of the UAOC Metropolia of America was represented by faithful of Ukrainian, Arabic and Latino heritage.

Concelebrating with Vladyka Mykhayil were the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Yuriy Kasyanov, of St. Michael parish of Long Island, the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Vasyl Demyanyk, of the UAOC Eparchy of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine and the Very Rev. Archpriest Samir Alejilat, of the Cathedral Parish of the Descent of the Holy Spirit and St. George, Yonkers.

His Emience is pictured here singing the paschal verses outside the church, shortly before the opening of the doors. Other photos are from the Nadhrobne or service before the Tomb, celebrated directly prior to outdoor procession and scenes from the Matins and Divine Liturgy. A paschal meal was shared by the clergy, their families, and those parishioners who could attend, at the Metropolitan's residence following the services.

 

 

 

KYIV, UKRAINE - The worldwide Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude, the Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, MEFODIY, sent his Paschal Letter to the clergy and faithful of the UAOC throughout the world on April 23. The letter was published by the Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine, under the direction of the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Yevhen Zapletnyiuk.

The Ukrainian text of His Beatitude's message can be read on the website of the Press Service, uaoc.net.

UAOC.ORG continues to provide great quality electronic greeting cards for Pascha and all holy day and religious occasions. Don't forget to send your family and friends a holiday message with a Ukrainian and Orthodox theme. Click here to send now . . .

 

 

STATEMENT OF METROPOLITAN MYKHAYIL JAVCHAK
OF THE UKRAINIAN AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX CHURCH
REGARDING THE DESECRATION OF MOHEGAN LAKE JEWISH CENTER

Saturday, April 12, 2008

We are more than deeply saddened to learn of the prejudicial and hateful act that was thwarted against our brothers and sisters of the Mohegan Park Jewish Center this past Thursday. It is sadly, another awakening event, bringing attention to exactly how embedded ignorance and fear of the other is within our community.

The Ukrainian Orthodox people whom I serve and represent must be especially sensitive and reactive to this event. There is a historical connection between crimes of hate against Jews in Ukraine and against indigenous Ukrainian Orthodox Churches, which should be acknowledged and used to unite and enlighten the public at large.

The closeness with which both our peoples have lived and shared their lives over the past centuries, can act as a catelist to correcting problems of hate-acts whenever and wherever they are still being committed.

We offer Roger Khan, president of the Mohegan Park Jewish Center, and leaders and members of the local Jewish community in the Greater Peekskill - Towns of Cortlandt & Yorktown area our pledge of solidarity and support during this difficult period, and promise our future cooperation in any projects which may attempt to circumvent crimes such as took place on April 10.

Given at our Chancery in New York,

+MYKAHYIL
(The Most Rev. Michael Javchak Champion, DD., MA Th.)
Metropolitan of New York & America
Ukrainian Autoecphalous Orthodox Church

NEW YORK: Keeping with his practice, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil observes the principal services of the Great Lent with the faithful, in the Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. Besides the normal Sunday Divine Liturgy, there is the observance of the "All Souls' Saturdays," the Akafist, Molebens, and other Lenten devotions.

Each week, he is the celebrant of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. It has consistently been a beautiful service with much participation of the faithful through singing and actions. This year after the service, Vladyka Mykhayil is presenting a series of talks on "What the Gospels tell us about the last week of Jesus," reflecting on biblical scholarship surrounding these important events.

Also after the Presanctified Liturgy, there is a special class for the children of the parish, preparing them to receive sacrament of confession, during Passion Week. On the second Friday of Great Lent, as the liturgy was ending, the Metropolitan had an informal disucssion with the children about the meaning of confession, repentance and its added importance as we prepare for Pascha.

Vladyka is pictured here celebrating the liturgy with Fr. Alejilat and having an informal session with the children following the service.

The parishioners of the Descent of the Holy Spirit Cathedral Parish look forward to an exciting continuation of Lent and a very special Passion Week. Several more special events are planned to make the season meaningful to all.

Click on each picture to see a larger version.

 

NEW YORK: During the time of the Great Lent, members of St. Michael Parish, Brooklyn/Long Island, New York have been active in performing various charitable works to assist His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil at the Cathedral Parish and the episcopal residence.

In one project, Mr. Mykhaylo Lersh, a carpenter, constructed several items for the cathedral, including an elevated space for the episcopal cathedra (bishop's chair) in the "high place" behind the holy table (altar) and a special platform (solea) for the center of the church, upon which the bishop stands during hierarchical services.

Pictured here is Metropolitan Mykhayil with the V. Rev. Protopresyber Yuriy Kasyanov, pastor of St. Michael Church and Dean of the East Coast Deanery and Mykhaylo Lerch.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

NEW YORK: On February 15, 2008, the Feast of the Encounter of Our Lord in the Temple with Simeon & Anna, Metropolitan Mykhayil, UAOC Archbishop of New York & Metropolitan of America welcomed a distinguished guest to the cathedral church.

Major Hanna Hamerneh, of Mamaroneck, NY attended the Divine Liturgy and visited with Vladyka Mykhayil afterwards. A native of Jordan, he is a devout Orthodox Christian. Graduating of the University of Illinois, Major Hamerneh served in the Jordanian diplomatic corps in Great Britain for several terms. He had the distinction of working with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He is also a well-known acquaintance of HRM, Queen Elizabeth II. After his service in the United Kingdom, Major Hamerneh returned to live in the United States.

After the amvon prayer of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Mykhayil celebrated the traditional blessing of candles in honor of the Feast of the Encounter of Our Lord. Vladyka is pictured here with Major Hanna Hamerneh, V. Rev. Archpriest Samir Alejilat, second priest of the Cathedral and administrator of St. George parish in Yonkers, Pani Matka (Kouria) Rania and Loris Alejilat. Also shown is the ceremony of blessing of candles.

The Metropolitan, in his remarks at the conclusion of the service noted, "Major Hanna, it is a spiritual pleasure to pray with you in the Divine Liturgy today. The obvious love of God and your knowledge of our traditional Orthodox prayers and services are a true inspriation to us all. Our friends and benefactors are very close to our hearts and play an important role in the ongoing work of our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. It is because of good people like yourself, that we are able to carry on the mission of good will that God has entrusted to us."

To view larger picture in a new window, click on each foto.

KYIV, UKRAINE: His Beatitude, MEFODIY, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church throughout the world, received greetings from the international community on the occasion of his March 11 birthday.

The president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko in a personal greeting to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy, used these words, "I wish you much health, happiness, goodness and God's grace for many years," stated the office of the Press-Service of the president.

The president also mentioned that Metropolitan Mefodiy's wisdom and selfless service to God and Ukraine has given great spiritual enlightenment to the Ukrainian people.

In a communique from New York, published by the press-service of the UAOC-Ukraine, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, speaking on behalf of the clergy, religious and faithful of the UAOC throughout North & South America, conveyed the following sentiments to the visible head of the church:

"As we have expressed on other occasions, Vladyko, you have been and continue to be a source of encouragement for us who live as Ukrainian Orthodox Christians in the Diaspora. Your spiritual strength, intuitive wisdom and kindness of heart are always an inspiration for us to continue to walk the path of holiness according to our ancient and venerable traditions."

Our prayers are with our God-beloved Father in Christ, Metropolitan Mefodiy, that he enjoy many more blessed, happy and spiritually fruitful years in the seat of the primacy of our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Na Mnohaya L'ita, Vladyko!  -  For many years, Master!

Below is a translation of an interview with His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil while he was in Ternopil, Ukraine last fall (2007). It was conducted at the chancery of the Ternopil Eparchy of the UAOC by journalist Olesya Kravchuk and published in the newspaper, "RIA Plus." The English translation was made for our website by Olha, a native of the Rivne region of Ukraine, currently residing in the United States. Among other degrees, she received an MA in history from the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in 2002. The original Ukrainian version can be accessed on the 20minut.ua website.

In the States people compete for room under the sun

Metropolitan Mykhayil came to Ternopil on his visit from New York. There, he is UAOC Metropolitan of All America. In Ternopil, he awarded diplomas to the graduates of the Ternopil Orthodox Spiritual Academy, including Fr. Ihor of the Church of the Nativity of Christ. The American priest came to Ternopil at the invitation of the Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, Predstoyatel (Leader) of the UAOC (Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church), MEFODIY. Metropolitan Mykhayil gave the newspaper, "RIA-Plus" an exclusive interview. We spoke to him in English. Metropolitan Mykhayil was dressed in a black suit, on the lapel - a golden Tryzub symbol.

- Tell us, please, a bit about yourself and your church in the USA.
- Our church has a presence in the USA, Canada, and a very strong presence in all of Latin America. We have some parishes in Western Europe - Italy, Spain and France, principally. I am American born. My grandfather and grandmother came to the States in the "first-immigration." They were from Zakarpattya, near Mukachevo. I was in Ukraine in 2005. I came for a two week visit. My parents were born in the USA. I have two sisters, older than myself. They reside in the New York area. My mother, Margaret Javchak reposed in 1992 at age 68. My father Edward reposed in 2006. In the last year of his life, I cared for him at our family home. My father had the opportunity to meet His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy, Predstoyatel of the UAOC in February 2006, during his visit to the USA. Vladyka Mefodiy was very kind to attend him at our home and extend to him a blessing, while my father was already practically bedridden. Vladyka Roman of Vinnitsya was also with him.

When I have some free time, I enjoy reading, especially new theological works. I also like to write. I enjoy articles that address current topics, as well as those founded in biblical and theological studies and challenge people to open their minds. I love taking care of the church building. It is a real blessing. I enjoy going to bookstores and browsing the shelves. There is so much to read and to discover. I like at least once a week, to go to the bookstore, have a tea, and look through the books. When the weather is good, I enjoy walking in the park or at the riverfront. I especially enjoy New York City.

To become a priest, I first studied in Pittsburgh, PA. There I majored in philosophy and the Spanish language. After this, I studied theology for four years. I always wanted to become a Ukrainian priest - those are my roots. Although, I cannot be personally considered a Ukrainian, since my parents were born in America, we however, always attended an Ukrainian Church and for me this is the normal way of life. I’ve been reading in Ukrainian from an early age. So, to handle services in Ukrainian is not a problem for me. To have conversation often is difficult, but we do speak Ukrainian. We hold services in Ukrainian, English, Arabic and Spanish, depending on the location. There is more information regarding our church available on our website .

- What is the purpose of your visit to Ukraine?
- The purpose of my visit to Ukraine was to report about the church to the Predstoyatel, Metropolitan Mefodiy. And one week's time is not very long but I tried to visit as much as I could. Vladyka Mefodiy is always a very kind and gracious host. I believe, it is most imperative that our church in America and in Ukraine maintain close and consistent communication and dialogue. I feel we need to work together on important projects and take a united stance on issues. We need to mutually support one another in every way.

This time, I was able to visit Kyiv, where I stayed at the Patriarchal Chancery complex and churches in Vinnytsa and Ternopil. I also had the chance to go to Chortkiv, to the home of some friends. It is a lovely city. Our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church has some very beautiful churches there, which I had the privilege to visit. On my previous visit, I was also able to see Lviv.

It is, probably, difficult to say, which city I like the most in Ukraine. All are beautiful and have their distinct character. However, I must say that I feel most at home in Western Ukraine. It is the area of my heritage and from which many of my parishioners in America are from. I enjoy the unique architecture and landscape. I understand more fully, the dialect spoken. I can say that I like the fact that in Western Ukraine one can hear the Ukrainian language spoken much more frequently, almost exclusively, than in other regions of the country. For me, this is very symbolic, of patriotism for my ancestral homeland.

- What do you think about Ukraine? Were your expectations fulfilled?
- This time I’ve spend only one week in Ukraine. I plan to come again, but do not know when yet. This year’s visit was much better than previous one. I see that life has improved in Ukraine. During my first visit I didn’t know what to expect. I can compare life in Ukraine to the European style. I’m very pleased to see positive changes in Ukraine, which were not here two years ago. There are more big supermarkets, more building under construction. This is a progress of its kind for Ukrainians.

In America we do not forget about our roots, but wish only good for our homeland. I’m very pleased of the positive prospects. However, I can see that there are still not so many avenues for communication. In America we get used to the Internet. I can see in Ukraine it’s not so readily available, as it is there. I can say this one of the biggest differences between our countries.

- Do you have any relatives in Ukraine?

- Obviously, there are. Right now, I am investigating this. Javchak - is the name of my grandmother. But a lot of time has passed since the period of the first immigration to America. I think that finding relatives will be not so easy. Current immigration and former immigration are two different things. At that time people wanted to forget roots and merge with Americans. Second Wave of immigration was after World War II. They respect everything connected to their native country, but they have tired to adapt to the American style of living.

- Tell us about you American relatives?
- In the family, I am particularly close to my younger sister Edwina and her husband Richard. They live about a half hour drive from me. We normally spend the holidays together and meet in each other's homes. Every September we attend a religious pilgrimage together in Pennsylvania.  My cousin Laura is also a close friend. She leads a busy life with her family in New Jersey. However, when we have the opportunity to be together, we always have many laughs and great times.

- How do you spend your vacation?
- Vacations for me don't really exist. Usually, when I travel, it is related to a visit to one or another of our churches or communities. If possible, I try to have a few days of relaxation in between, during a trip. In my home area, I love the beauty of the mountains and the Hudson River Valley in which we live. Also, we have good and dedicated priests. I am fortunate to have priest-friends both from within our church and from other churches. I spend time associating with them often.

In my years, first as Archbishop and then, since 2004, the Metropolitan of our UAOC in America, I have done quite a bit of traveling. I've seen many cities in the USA and been to several countries abroad. I think it is hard to say, which country I like the most. Each has been different and has unique characteristics, cultures, climates and traditions. I love Latin America for its tropical atmosphere. I love to see that people there are so sincere and dedicated to the Orthodox faith. I also love Ukraine, as my ancestors’ land, and for the beauty and richness of its religious heritage. Of course, I feel at home in Ukraine, because this is the culture I have known my whole life.

I see a mutual, harmonious experience between Ukraine and the countries of Latin America. Both have a rich indigenous culture. Both are very sincere in their religious devotion. Both places were under foreign domination, which tried to annihilate their native culture. Both have withstood horrendous politics which have committed some of the most atrocious crimes against humanity. However, both have managed to produce a spirit of liberation and freedom. The throwing off of the yoke of oppression has happened both in Ukraine and in Latin America. In each place, it is a time of rebuilding, of self-emergence and pride.

- When you tell Americans, you’re from Ukraine, what do they say? Do they know anything about us?
- Most do not know anything about Ukraine. We’re trying to tell as much as possible about it. Most of Americans think it’s same as Russia. Three years ago, there was the Orange Revolution, so average Americans did hear something about it. But now much is forgotten and people do not remember those events.

In recent years, we have had a rise in the level of immigration. People are coming not only from Ukraine, but from all countries. I think, every church community will agree, that all people deserve an attitude of dignity. America has always been a land which welcomed people, where life was better and where there was freedom. I think, the government of the USA needs to correct the problem of immigration and make it possible for people to benefit from America. Americans often say that immigrants take away their jobs. I want to say, this is not true at all. Rather, immigrants are performing the work that Americans would not do. This has a positive effect on the economy, not a negative one.

- Are there many immigrants who come to your church for help?
- They do come. Sometime I can help, sometime not. If I can help unite families or make something similar – I do it. Sometimes successfully. I get in contact with congressmen and senators and bring their attention to these problems. Not long time ago I attended a service before opening of General Assembly of the United Nations. It was good, that the Ukrainian Church had a presence there, because there were many politicians, including the new Secretary General of UN. I realize if church wants to change something in society, we the priests, have to communicate with people from government and encourage them for action.

- It’s interesting, how do parishioners differ in America from those in Ukraine?
- Ukrainians go to church more often. In the United States it is more complicated. It is interesting to note that here in Ukraine, people, when they pass a church, enter the sanctuary, pray and light candles. In Ukraine, as I have said, people are very devout.

- Where in America does the Metropolitan of UAOC live?
- My residence is only a short distance from New York City - a trip between 45 minutes to one hour by car or train. I have always loved New York. I believe that it is the most exciting and advantageous city in the world. Every time you are in the City, there is something new, and at the same time, many familiar things. We have much at our advantage here. It is truly a microcosm of the world. There is every culture and people represented. I try to get into Manhattan as much as possible. Often, church meetings or business brings me there. For me, a trip into New York City is a vacation all in itself. Simply the smell of the air can be invigorating to me. The varieties of people give life to the city. Yes, I truly love New York.

I should mention that I was a "first-responder" to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. In 2001 I spent several weeks ministering at Ground 0, administering the sacraments, "blessing bodies or parts thereof," counseling firefighters, police officers and other workers and simply lending a smile, kind handshake or hug to those who were hurting. I consider it a blessing to have been able to serve in this capacity, despite the great sadness in the city and country. By the way, Kyiv is the only city in the world that has even vaguely reminded me of New York. To me, they seem to share some common cosmopolitan qualities.

- Do you like Ternopil?
- I find Ternopil, to be the heart of Western Ukraine. I can say that on both of my Ukrainian visits, the time spent in Ternopil has been very happy. It is a bustling city, full of life, and with good people, who are both very pious in their religious devotion and sincere in their friendship and willingness to open their hearts to others.

- Are there any famous people coming to the Orthodox Church in New York?
- People are special regardless of who they are. I can’t say there are any “stars” coming to our church. But neither can I say that there are not. Everyone is famous in Gods eyes. To our church belong American Ukrainians, who work for good of the Ukrainian nation. They also tell about Ukraine and its national identity. I’ve spoken in America with many people, whom we can say, are patriots of Ukraine. Every one of us, who has Ukrainian roots, prays for happiness on Ukrainian soil.

On the other hand, our church is for regular people. Many of them are working two or three jobs to support a normal life. Life is not easy here. In the States people often compete for room under the sun. Life is not concentrated around the church, like in other countries. That is why we have to adapt the life of our church, so people can really love Christ and at same time, live in the society that they do.

Ternopil 2007-11-07

A national holiday in Ukraine, was celebrated on Jan. 22 - The Day of the Unity of Ukraine. On that day 89 years ago, the Western-Ukrainian National Republic and the Ukrainian National Republic were united into one Ukrainian nation.

The "Act of Union" was proclaimed on January 22, 1919 in the "Sofia Square" in Kyiv (outside the historic Cathedral of St. Sophia).

The Western Ukrainian National Republic was proclaimed on November 1, 1918, led by the Ukrainian intelegencia and armed forces in the territory of the Austro-Hunagarian Empire in Halychyna (Galicia). The capitol of the WUNR in the beginning, was Lviv, then Ternopil and in January of 1919, Stanislav (now Ivano-Frankivsk).

The union of the UNR and the WUNR was a model of civilian democracy, joining people of the same ethnic origin in a common, historical national territory. This ethno-national consolidation was done with the full ideals of liberty, freedom and justice, while utilizing the power of the nation's political and material resources.

On January 21, 1990, in observance of the Day of the Unity of Ukraine, a symbolic act was carried out. Three million people joined hands across the nation, uniting Lviv, Kyiv, and Donbas on the day of the 71st. anniversary of the union of the UNR and the WUNR. The act was organized by "Hands of the Ukrainian People." By official reports, more than 450 thousand people participated. Unofficial statistics state more than five million.

The national holiday of the Day of Ukrainian Unity was proclaimed by an edict (ukaz) o fthe President of Ukraine on the 21 of January, 1999. Today it is celebrated throughout all of Ukraine.

Source: Press Service of UAOC-Ukraine

KYIV, UKRAINE: In a communication on Thurs, Jan 17, His Beatitude MEFODIY, Worldwide Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, sent his blessing and greetings to all members of the church in the Americas for the Feast of Theophany:

TO OUR DEAR MOST REVEREND METROPOLITAN MYKHAYIL, BELOVED CLERGY & FAITHFUL OF OUR UKRAINIAN AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA:

KHRYSTOS KHRESTIVSYA! NA RICHTSI YORDANI!

I am happy to send all of you my blessing and congratulations upon this great feast of the Yordan. Among our people, it is a day of great celebration, counted with the most important days of the year. As your Father in Christ, I encourage you in your faithfulness to our precious faith and to our Ukrainian Church. Let us pray together before God’s throne for our pious Ukrainian nation, our God-loving people and our honorable church. Again, I bestow my blessing upon you all and remind you of my love and concern for our faithful everywhere.

From all the Fullness of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church,

Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, +MEFODIY
Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

Source:  Press Service of the UAOC-America

Metropolitan Mykhayil, on behalf of the Church in the Americas & Diaspora, sent holiday greetings to the Predstoyatel of the UAOC, His Beatitude, MEFODIY, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine.

The communique was posted on the website of the Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine. The text follows below:
__________________________________________________

To His Beatitude MEFODIY, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine
Prestodyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Khrystos Narodivsya! Slavimo Yoho!

Blazhenishiyj Vladyko Blahoslovit!

Our clergy, religious and faithful here in America and the Diaspora joyfully greet Your Beatitude on this most happy feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. We also share our holiday congratulations with all of the clergy, monastics, seminarians and faithful of our beloved UAOC throughout Ukraine. We fondly remember our recent time among you, our God-loving clergy and the friends in Ukraine who are so close to our thoughts and prayers.

During the vigil-service of Christmas in our cathedral church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, we offered special prayers for you, our Predstoyatel and our church in Ukraine. In my remarks to the people present in the church, I mentioned how much Your Beatitude has been an inspiration for us and how your strong, kind, wise and generous spirit, epitomizes for us, the true nature of the Christmas holidays. We thank you, Vladyko, from our hearts, for being an inspiration to us who are far away from the patriarchal center of our Mother Church, but who nonetheless feel a strong connection to our ancestral homeland and its faith and tradition.

We believe that the Lord has great plans for the unity our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, in proclaiming the Gospel of salvation, not only in Ukraine, but throughout the world. So, we offer our pledge of fidelity to you, the visible Head of our church, from our episcopal see of New York, from Latin America and from every place where our faithful are present.

Since the Nativity is but one of three great feasts of this season, we send also, our sincere best wishes for peace, health, salvation and prosperity in the coming holy days of St. Basil and Yordan and throughout this new year. We are happy to greet you again, using the various languages of our people in the Americas:

Khrystos Narodivsya! Slavimo Yoho!
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Cristo ha Nacido! Glorifíquenlo!

Faithfully Yours in Christ,

+MYKHAYIL
Metropolitan of New York

Source: Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine

Friday, 4 January 2008

Bishop Paul Peter Jesep of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), appointed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Myfodii of Kyiv and All Ukraine to serve as spokesperson in the United States, issued a statement condemning the United Fatherland and the Union of Orthodox Citizens of Ukraine for recently distributing anti-Semitic pamphlets at Russian Orthodox churches in Odessa.  The literature advocated for pogroms that murder Jewish-Ukrainians.

"President Viktor Yushchenko," said Bishop Paul Peter, "must remain vigilant in his efforts to stop the violence against fellow countrymen.  Not only must there be an immediate end to this injustice, but the President must implement a long-term program that educates all citizens about the evils of anti-Semitism and every other kind of hate.  No Jewish sister and brother or anyone subject to abuse must ever stand alone."

Bishop Paul Peter added, "The moral authority of all Orthodoxy must be behind the President's efforts to end hatred, bigotry, and discrimination.  The outrageous actions of the United Fatherland and the Union of Orthodox Citizens of Ukraine must be condemned by every branch of the Orthodox Church.  There is no excuse to remain silent in the Ukrainian Motherland or in the Diaspora regarding this moral outrage. Complacency is unacceptable."

Bishop Jesep is the Chancellor of the Metropolia of All America & the Diaspora of the UAOC. He has been a bishop since 2003. In addition to his patriarchal and eparchial appointments, he serves as Director of Public Affairs & Government Relations for the UAOC Metropolia. He is also an attorney, specializing in political law and has been admitted to the bar in several states.

KYIV, UKRAINE: The Worldwide Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude, MEFODIY, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine has released his annual encyclical for the Christmas holydays.

The Ukrainian version of the writing of our Primate may be accessed at the following link:

Christmas Encylical of His Beatitude, Mefodiy

PRESS SERVICE - UAOC AMERICA

 

NEW YORK, January 1, 2008: His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil announces the opening of his new internet "blog" as a project for the New Year.

Many are aware of the popularity of "blogs" in the present time, in which individuals write about a variety of subjects, usually from a personal perspective. A blog may be commentaries, reflections, opinions, or simply any installment the compiler wishes to share.

Vladyka Mykhayil hopes to address subjects with a current relavence, particularly those with a relation to things Ukrainian, Orthodoxy, Christianity, social justice, culture and religion in general. He will also write on topics of a personal interest.

Readers may access the Metropolitan's new blog at the following link:

Metropolitan Mykhayil's Blog

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Press Service - UAOC America

METROPOLITAN'S CHANCERY: The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the Diaspora sent greetings to the Patriarchate of the UAOC in Kyiv, in honor of the Feastday of the Holy Apostle Andriy the First-Called, patron of the Patriarchal Cathedral Church of the UAOC.

Metropolitan Mykhayil send the communique on behalf of the entire Metropolia of All-America, addressed to the Predstoyatel of the UAOC, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy. The text follows below:

____________________________________________________________

His Beatitude, Mefodiy, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine
Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

Slava Isusu Khrystu!
Blazhenishiyj Vladyko, Blahoslovit!

On behalf of our clergy and faithful in the Americas, we greet Your Beatitude and all of the hierarchy, clergy and faithful of our Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church
on this feast of the Holy Apostle Andriy the First-Called, Patron of our Patriarchal Cathedral Church and Apostle of Ukraine.

May the holy saint, who blessed our beloved Kyiv so many years ago, continue to intercede with Almighty God for the preservation of our Ukrainian Church,
the good of our Ukrainian nation and many spiritual and material blessings for our Ukrainian people everywhere.

Na mnohaya l’ita, Vladyko!

Faithfully in Christ,

+Mykhayil
Metropolitan of New York
______________________________________________________

source:
Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine

 

GRAYMOOR, NY: The remote serenity of the historic Appalachian Trail and a cold late autumn night set the mood for an all-night vigil held at the Shrine of the Virgin Mother of Immigrants held on December 1-2. The pilgrimage was sponsored by the "Servants of the Mother of the Immigrants" who are the caretakers of the shrine. Over 100 people from all over the greater NYC area braved the 24/-4 degree (fahrenheit/celsius) starting temperature and walked the path to the shrine, located atop a mountain along the wooded trail. From the monastery road to the mountain is well over two miles and can take from a half-hour to an hour to traverse.

The night included the celebration of the Eucharist, live music and singing, prayers, orations and special devotions to the Mother of God. Despite the cold temperature, the group of pilgrims keep their spirits lively. Hot beverages and homemade refreshments were served by the organizers. Especially impressive was the number of married couples, young adults and youth who were present.

Metropolitan Mykhayil climbed the mountain and spent several hours with the pilgrims that night. Taking the microphone, His Eminence commended the pilgrims for making the sacrifice to be at the shrine, despite the frigid weather. He spoke of the need to witness to our faith in a public way, so that our committment and presence will be visible for all to see. An excerpt from his talk is quoted below:

"We are all pilgrims in this life, walking the road together on our journey toward God. Our immigrant community is one of great holiness and spirituality. Events like this pilgrimage give testimony to others about our unity in Jesus Christ and the contributions we make daily to society. Let our light continue to shine brightly, through the prayers of the holy Mother of God - our heavenly Mother - the Mother of all the immigrants. She will continue to help us with her prayers and protection, interceding with her Divine Son, our Lord Jesus Christ." Viva Jesus Christ, our Lord! Viva the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Immigrants! Viva the People of God!"

Before departing around midnight, the Metropolitan recited several prayers together with the people and then bestowed a blessing upon the gathered pilgrims. He thanked the Friars at Graymoor, in particular, Fr. James J. Gardiner, SA, Director of the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, for their support of this important ministry of the Mother of Immigrants Shrine.

"Because of the shine," commented Vladyka Mykhayil, "our immigrant community in the local area and beyond can continue the tradition of Marian pilgrimage and devotion that is so common in their respective homelands. Because of the Friars' support, our people feel that they have a spiritual home in what is for many, a new and challenging land."

Vladyka Mykhayil thanked especially, the "Servants of the Mother of the Immigrants" led by Mr. Pedro Zhingri, for their dedication in maintaining the shrine through the entire year. Each weekend there are visitors to the sacred place, which the "Servants" keep clean and decorated. A special blessing was then given to all those who have served at the shrine for one year or more.

Click here to read our previous article for more information and a history about the Shrine of the Mother of the Immigrants.

CORTLANDT MANOR, NY: In reaction to the November 21 "cross-buring" in this northern Westchester community, The Most Reverend Metropolitan Mykhayil Javchak Champion, DD., MA Th., Archbishop of New York and Presiding Hierarch for North and South America of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church presented the following remarks during Sunday services for the Cathedral Parish of the Descent of the Holy Spirit:

HATE CRIMES IN OUR AREA??? IT COULDN’T BE.

It surely can. Many of us are aware of the cross-burning which took place on Nov. 21 in the Town of Cortlandt. While these things may not be in the headlines each day, they indicate a deeper, more serious problem in our community. They are not isolated incidents as some would like to believe. Such displays of hatred and intimidation only mean that we have much to teach ourselves and our young people about acceptance, tolerance and respect.

I had the opportunity to attend a town-forum on Nov. 29, organized by the Peekskill Area Pastors’ Association in cooperation with the Town of Cortlandt Board, the Hendrick Hudson School District and the State and County Police Departments. Many of those present, especially my colleagues in the clergy and many of the citizens themselves, spoke of the dignity due to each person, no matter their race, color, sex, religion, ethnicity, orientation, opinion, legal status or other. We may not always agree, but we must maintain mutual respect for each other. The alternatives are quite dangerous.

26 years ago, the popular band RUSH wrote the following lyrics in a song titled, "Witch Hunt" from the album "Moving Pictures." The song was a parody of sorts on Arthur Miller's famous play, "The Crucible," written during the height of another sad American epoch - McCarthyism." The words still serve us as a prophetic voice today.

"They say there are strangers who threaten us - in our immigrants and infidels.
They say there's a strangeness too dangerous - in our theaters and bookstore shelves.
Those who know what's best for us - must rise and save us from ourselves . . . Ohhh. Oh.

Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand."
(Rush, "Moving Pictures," 1981)

We do not take events like that of Nov. 21 lightly and will not tolerate them. That is the message that came from the town forum and it is the standard that we must uphold, especially in our church, which, besides having its basis in the Gospel and pointing towards the Reign of God, is a church of immigrants, who are prime targets for acts of violence based on hate, fear and ignorance.

And why was our immigrant community noticeably absent that night? Could it have been fear that kept them home? Was it perhaps the isolation that they feel from the larger community that caused them to "keep to themselves" as perhaps some residents would term it? Or was it anxiety about being different that dug a hole in an event that should have represented the entire community?

Let us be attentive, and raise our voices, before we find a tryzub, cross, flag or other symbol burning in front of our homes or our church.

Faithfully,

+Metropolitan Mykhayil

For more information visit thejournalnews.com

KYIV: Bishop Zakhariy (Chernov) of Bohuslav and Bilhorod of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church died after a lenghty illness at the age of 43.

Vladyka Zakhariy spent much of his eartly life working for the resurrection of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. He was well aquainted with and more than once worked together with the Patriarch of Kyiv & All Rus, Volodymyr Romaniuk. He also knew Patriarch Mystyslav personally.

He will be especially remembered for his visits to the Resurrection of Christ Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in villiage of Zhovten', in the Bilyayivs'k region of the Odessa Oblast and to the Church of the Holy Prophet Elias & the Righteous Elizabeth in Solomyans'k in the Kyiv region

The funeral rites for Vladyka Zakhariy will be sung on November 29, after which he will be entombed.

Source:
Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine

NEW YORK: His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil led the faithful in prayer for the victims of the artificial famine (Holodomor) during the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on November 25. Special petitions were chanted praying for all those who suffered repression and death at the hands of the Russian, Soviet totalitarian regime, from 1932-1933.

Clergy of the Greater New York area gathered with Vladyka Mykhayil that day, including Protopresbyter Yuriy Kasyanov and Subdeacon Sergiy Kashchatsev, of St. Michael Parish on Long Island. Also present was Archpriest Samir Alejilat, of the Cathedral Parish & Administrator of St. George Church, Yonkers.

Vladyka Mykhayil, in his homily, remarked, "We must never forget the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people during the period of Soviet repression. The artificial famine/genocide is a crime that reached into the millions but is often unknown or unrecognized outside of the immediate Ukrainian community. Nevertheless, it stands with other periods of history such as the Holocaust, as a sad commentary on the potential of human beings for unspeakable acts, often committed out of political motivation."

Later, His Eminence also commented about the current situation in several countries of Latin America. "Today, just as we may feel that threats of such violent and extreme crimes against humanity can be relegated to the annals of the darker part of world history, we see other potential situations arising that should give us reason for serious concern. Proposed changes to constitutions in Venezuela and Bolivia must cause us to take a step back and see the danger that is present when unmonitored power is placed in the hands of a single individual or group. All too often, follows the limitations of human rights, violations of freedom and horrific suffering, as the Episcopal Conferences of these nations have already pointed out. Those who aspire to such power and others who align themselves with them must be kept in check, so that we do not repeat human tragedies that have already happened much too often in Ukraine, Latin America and in other places of the world," cautioned the Metropolitan.

Services in memory of the Genocide victims were also held in parishes of the UAOC throughout the USA, Latin America and Canada. Prayers were likewise offered for those lost in last week's mine explosion in Donetsk, Ukraine and their families, in response to the request of the Worldwide Predstoyatel of the UAOC, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy.

Source:
Press Service of the UAOC-America

Ukrainians, Church and Government
Commemorate Victims of Holodomor-Genocide 1932-1933

KYIV: Ukrainians honored the memory of victims of Holodomor (man-made famine of 1932-1933) on 24 November 2007. Eparchs of several denominations conducted a memorial prayer for the souls of all those who died of hunger at St. Sofia’s Church in Kyiv. Similar liturgies were held in all churches throughout Ukraine on that day. According to estimates, nearly 16.5 million Ukrainians fell victim to three Holodomors in Ukraine.

The memorial service at St. Sofia’s Church was attended by Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko) of Kyiv and All Rus’-Ukraine, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate; the Worldwide Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude, Mefodiy, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, as well as bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church and others.

According to president.gov.ua, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and his family, executive Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, Ivan Plushch, the Secretary of the Council of National Safety and Defense, as well as Ukraine’s ministers, national deputies, court leaders and representatives of the Kyiv City Administration and political parties, and victims of Holodomor participated in the memorial ceremony.

A memorial to the victims of the Genocide was set up near the Ministry of Health Building, in St. Michael Square, adjacent to the Patriarchal Chancery of the UAOC. A procession moved from St. Sofia, to the memorial, following the ceremony in St. Sofia. After paying silent tribute at the monument, the President addressed the gathered crowd from in front of the memorial.

Prayers for the victims of Holodomors and political repressions united millions of faithful of different denominations all over Ukraine. It is known that, apart from the Holodomor of 1932-1933, Ukraine experienced famines in the early 1920s and after World War II.

 

Source:
Religious Information Service of Ukraine
Press Service of UAOC - Ukraine

 

Ukraine Security Service Prays for Victims of Totalitarian Regime

KYIV: In connection with the Commemoration Day for victims of Holodomor and political repressions, a moleben (public prayer) for the innocent victims tortured by the communist regime was conducted in the building of Ukraine’s Security Service on November 22, 2007.

Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudriakov), Worldwide Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko) of Kyiv and All Rus’-Ukraine, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP), and Assistant Bishop Bohdan (Dziurakh) of the Kyiv Patriarchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations and public figures participated in the moleben.

According to Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Head of the Ukrainian Security Service, a main concern of the government agency  is to expose all of the archives which deal with the offenses of the totalitarian regime against the Ukrainian people. Already, 1341 tomes have been made available, covering the years 1927 to 1990.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy commented that genocide in Ukraine was naturally first directed against all Ukrainian farmers and villagers. "This action was against all Ukrainians. The village was always the well-spring (source) of the Ukrainian identity. To destroy it was the urgent goal of the totalitarian regime."

Source:
Press Service of UAOC-Ukraine
Religious Information Service of Ukraine

KYIV: His Beatitude, the Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, Mefodiy, Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church has asked all bishops, clergy and faithful of the UAOC to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of those who perished and for the peace of the families of the dead, resulting from the methane gas explosion in a mine in Donetsk, Ukraine. The President of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko declared November 20 to be a national day of mourning and prayer for the victims of the tragedy and their families. Current estimates say that over 88 persons lost their lives in the accident on Nov. 19.

"With grief, we await each update for further information about the many lost in the Donetsk oblast. With this saddness, our church stands together with the long-suffering Ukrainian people. We pray that the Lord God will take to the Heavenly Kingdom, all lost in the tragedy and that he will deliver our people from further tragedies of this kind," noted His Beatitude, Vladyka Mefodiy.

In all Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Churches molebens are to be offered for all those effected by the Ukrainian mine tragedy.

Speaking from the UAOC Chancery in New York, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All America, offered the condolences of the Church in America with the following words:

"We stand in solidarity with our Predstoyatel, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy and all of our people in Ukraine. It is important that as a church, we are always prepared to unite together in prayer and in action, when faced with tragedies such as that which occurred in Donetsk. Our ancestral motherland Ukraine has suffered so much throughout its history, yet we remain strong through our unity and common purpose. Here, as Americans and New Yorkers, we are all too well acquainted with the effects of sudden calamity. Let us pray that the Lord who, 'knows the name and age of all, each one and their requests, each home and its needs' will grant rest to those who lost their lives and comfort to those who survive."

Source:
Press Service UAOC in Ukraine
Press Service UAOC in America

KYIV: The 27th of November marks 70 years to the day Metropolitan Vasyl Lypkivskyi, Ukrainian pedagogue, civic activist, church reformer, spiritual guide of the Ukrainian nation and the founder of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) in the 1920s, died in a soviet concentration camp at the hands of the NKVD (secret police).

According to the organizational committee for the commemoration of Metropolitan Lypkivskyi, ceremonies will be conducted in locations connected with different stages of his life from 17 to 27 November 2007.

Source:
Religious Information Service of Ukraine
Press Service of the UAOC in Ukraine

METROPOLITAN CHANCERY OFFICE, NEW YORK: November 16. His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, Archbishop of New York & Metropolitan of All America of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church offered the following statement for Thanksgiving Day, 2007:

This Thursday marks the observance of Thanksgiving Day in the US. This day always has a religious lesson to teach us, while we reflect on this humble, historical origins of our nation. It is a beautiful holiday which reminds us that everything we have is from God, just as we ourselves come from God and will one day return to him. While nothing is guaranteed in earthly life, we stand in gratitude for all that the Creator has and continues to provide for us. In faith, we affirm that God will take care of those whom he loves.

Unless we are Native Americans, our country is a country of immigrants, no matter in which year or century we or our ancestors arrived here. Those coming to our shores today should be given the same rights, chances, dignity and respect as those of the 15th. c, the 17th. c., the 20th c. or in recent years. The country we like to consider great and a place where dreams can be fulfilled must not shut itself off from its founding principles, because of fear, prejudice or ignorance. We must keep in mind that we are all a "pilgrim people" entitled to the same advantages that God has given through creation.

The economy of our nation is not ruined, but enhanced by immigrants, who spend their money in American businesses, upgrade rundown, unsightly neighborhoods and perform tasks considered too trivial by most citizens. Lack of stability in an economic sense should rather be addressed to short-sighted politicians who don't see beyond the current day's agenda on their personal organizers.

So, as the first immigrants to this “Land of Opportunity” gave thanks for their safety and security almost 400 years ago, let us join together spiritually this year, whether we are born here or come from a place far off, in giving thanks for the gifts we have, with the words of the Psalmist: “What shall I give to the Lord for all he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will raise up, and I will call on the name of the Lord.” (Ps. 116: 12-13)

+MYKHAYIL
Metropolitan of All America
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

 

WESTERN UKRAINE: A observance of the 60th. anniversary of the calculated displacement of Ukrainians from their ethnic land, a memorial was dedicated in the city of Pasiky-Zubrytskyi, in the Pustomytivs'koho region, in memory of those exiled and repressed by operation "Visla." The press service of the Lviv Archeparchy reported the event to Zaxid.net. 

The monument was blessed by the Most Rev. Vladyka Ihor (Voz'nyak), Archbishop of Lviv of the UGCC. Concelebrating the blessing service with him was Vladyka Makaryj (Maletych), Archbishop of Lviv of the UAOC. Also present were members of the clergy, public officials, guests and parishioners.

On the monument, on which is depicted a woman with children close to her around the bark of a tree, rise two tablets: one with the place from where the people were deported and the other with the names of the deported families. It should be noted that through operation "Visla," to this city were transported more than 300 families, born in territory which now belongs to Poland.

Vladyka Ihor, in his homily, thanked all who participated in the project of the monument. "This memorial stands for people, who suffered from repression, who were persecuted because they were Ukrainian, Christians, children of their people and patriots of their country. This monument is to all who were displaced from their native cities, separated from their families, their homes, deprived of their natural heritage, from their land and violently scattered from vengeance, that they have found refuge in our land, in our environs, on their land."

Source:
Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine 
Zaxid.net

NEW YORK: Dr. Paul F. Knitter, the Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions & Culture at Union Theological Seminary, offered the first of the "Graymoor Lecture Series" at the Interchurch Center in upper Manhattan on Wednesday, November 14. The new lecture series has been inaugurated in honor of the 100th. anniversary of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" and is sponsored by the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute. To be held twice annually, it will address life and faith from the ecumenical and interreligious experiences of our times.

Dr. Knitter spoke on the topic, The Religions Today: Their Challenge to the Ecumenical Movement. In his presentation, he elaborated, among other things, on the situation today, in light of mass world immigration and the global situation. In his opinion, this has had an effect on ecumenical discussion, to include not only dialogue among Christians ecclesial communities, but also their relationship to other communities of faith. The necessity of Christians to put their own "ecclesiastical apartment house" in order is essential for interaction in a new world order. From a Christian perspective, Dr. Knitter feels that the Orthodox churches can offer their greater foundation in Pneumentology (the theology of the working Holy Spirit) in the ongoing discussion between in the world of faith.

Metropolitan Mykhayil and clergy from the New York area were in attendance at the lecture. It was followed by a period of questions and discussion. His Eminence commented as to how Orthodoxy can share the light of its particular richness in the area of Pneumentology in a way that could go beyond the "Byzantine Synthesis" of the 10th. century. This would be possible only in finding new words and paradigms, perhaps in harmony with other theological methodology, to express the timeless truths that the church holds as well as its particular ethos and preference of approach.

Dr. Knitter is Professor Emeritus of Theology at Xavier University, Cincinnati. Much of his work has dealt with religious pluralism and interreligious dialogue, especially in exploring how the religious communities of the world can cooperate in promoting human and ecological well-being. His the author of four books, in addition to recently editing a multifaith exploration titled The Myth of Religious Superiority (Orbis Books, 2005).

From 1986-2004, he was on the Board of Directors for CRISPAZ (Christians for Peace in El Salvador). He serves on the Board of Trustees for the International, Interreligious Peace Council, formed after the 1993 World Parliament of Religions, to promote interreligious peace-making projects.

Dr. Knitter holds a licentiate in theology (STL) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1966) and a doctorate from the University of Marburg, Germany (1972). He believes that he shares the Seminary's vision of the ideals of the Tillich Chair: "to promote a dialogue of religious communities that will both enrich the religions and promote the well-being of people and planet."

His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil is pictured above with Dr. Knitter, his wife Kathy and Fr. Jack Burke. Other photos are included below from the lecture and discussion.

       

NEW YORK: On the evening of November 7, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil joined fellow clergy and hundreds of laity at a the semi-annual McGinley Lecture, at Fordham University in the Bronx. Although lectures are a regular event at the prestigious university, this was of special interest because of its famed speaker.

Avery Cardinal Dulles, of the Society of Jesus, presented the lecture entitled, "Who Can Be Saved?" The author of over 23 books, hundreds of pamphlets and a professor at Fordham and Catholic University of America for decades, Dulles is probably the most prominent American theologian alive. His contributions to the theology and the church are innumerable. Having been instrumental in advising the bishops at the Second Vatican Council, Dulles continued writing and teaching in the decades since then. He has received over 30 honorary degrees and numerous awards and honors.

Specifically, Avery Dulles, SJ  has the distinction of being the only American theologian ever to be honored for his contributions to theology with the title of "cardinal." John Paul II bestowed this extraordinary honor upon Dulles in 2002. At the lecture, Cardinal Dulles was introduced by current president of Fordham Univsersity, the Rev. Joseph M. McShane, SJ.

Fr. Laurence J. McGinley, SJ, for whom the lecture and chair of theology are named, was president of Fordham University from 1949-1963. In 1979, he was appointed "president emeritus" until his death in 1992. As a professor of theology and educator, he had a strong vision and dedication to New York City and was a founding director of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The chair in his honor was established in 1985, to allow Fordham to attract distinguished scholars interested in the interaction of religion with th legal, political and cultural forces in American society.

In his retirement, he holds the Laurence J. McGinley chair of theology at Fordham and lives at the Jesuit residence there. Unpretentious and humble, Cardinal Dulles delighted his listeners, while speaking on a topic which has drawn much attention in recent times.

Metropolitan Mykhayil is pictured here while speaking with Cardinal Dulles after the lecture.

TERNOPIL, UKRAINE: The Church of the Nativity of our Lord, located in the center of the city of Ternopil has been undergoing a face lift over these past months. Many of the exterior and interior walls are being completely re-mounted with adobe cement, to preserve the building which has naturally begun to show its age.

The historical church built between the years 1602-08, is a prime example of the architecture of the time and one of the oldest buildings in Ternopil. Ukrainian Hetman Bohdan Khmelnitskyj worshiped there during his time in Ternopil. The church houses many important and ancient icons which will soon be displayed in the newly-renovated side chapel, along with other religious and regional artifacts.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefoidy, Predstoyatel of the UAOC has been instrumental in the conservation and restoration of the church edifice and has been devoted to the preservation of many important artifacts and documents found during the restoration. These he has donated to the appropriate historic or church archivists.

Metropolitan Mefodiy has worked extensively with the ancient history specialist of the Ternopil provincial board of architecture, Yaroslav Pelekhatyj, who agrees on the very special nature of the renovation of the Nativity Church.

The edifice serves as the Cathedral Church of the Ternopil Eparchy of the UAOC, with its chancery office adjacent. However, the church not only attracts visitors for its historical or ecclesiastical interest. It is a vital, operating house of worship. Everyday, hundreds of faithful visit the church for daily services and prayers. Many stop before work or at lunchtime. Some just quietly pass through for a brief moment of meditation. An abundance of flowers and candles are placed daily by those who leave their heartfelt intentions in this ancient temple.

The church is also home to the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God of Ternopil, located on the left side of the church nave, near the iconostasis, which first wept in the 17th. century. People regularly visit to venerate this popular icon which withstood an vandal's attempt earlier this year. A new glass case will soon be installed to replace the one broken by the intruders.

Source:
20 Minute Journal
UAOC Press Service

 

 Vladyka Mykhayil sent greetings on behalf of the clergy, religious and faithful of the Metropolia in observance of the patronal feast day or "khramoe svyata" of the church located within the complex of the Patriarchal Chancery Office in Kyiv. The letter is as follows:
____________________________

Slava Isusu Khrystu!

HIS BEATITUDE MEFODIY, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine - Predstoyatel of the UAOC
V. REV. PROTOPRESBYTER ANDRIY VYSOCHANSKY  -  Spiritual Director of Seminarians at the Patriarchal Chancery.
Clergy, Seminarians and Staff of the Patriarchate of the UAOC in Kyiv

November 8, 2007

Blazhenishi Vladyko Blahosovit!

I take this opportunity of the feast of the Great-Martyr, Dimitry Solunsky, the Myrrh-Gusher, patron of the sacred temple within the walls of our beloved Patriarchal Chancery, to greet each one of you and to remember fondly, the time that I spent among you so recently. It was spiritually very comforting and refreshing for me, to pray with you, the morning and evening prayers in this holy place in the heart of Patriarchate of our UAOC. For your graciousness and many kindness to me, I again say, "thank you" from my heart.

The services provided by the Church of St. Dimitry are important for many people. It is located in the helm of ancient Kyiv, side-by-side with the historic Gold-Domed Monastery of St. Michael, across the square from the Sobor of St. Sophia and near to our UAOC Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Andriy the First-Called. To St. Dimitry Church come daily, people from all walks of life, who bring their prayers, their intentions, their hopes and their dreams. I know that they are comforted by the many Akathists, Molebens, other services and prayers offered there daily by our clergy and students.

On behalf of our clergy and faithful in the Americas and beyond, I congratulate our Predstoyatel, His Beatitude MEFODIY and each one of you who are assigned to our patriarchal chancery church. May this feast of the Great St. Dimitry bring many blessings upon our UAOC, our people and upon all of you, through his intercession before the throne of God.

Faithfully in Christ,

+MYKHAYIL
Archbishop of New York
Metropolitan of All America
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

Kyiv – At the invitation of the Patriarchate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), Metropolitan Mykhayil (Javchak-Champion) of New York and America visited the Patriarchate and several eparchies of the UAOC, met with Metropolitan Mefodii (Kudriakov) of Kyiv and All Ukraine, head of the UAOC, as well as bishops, clergymen, students and graduates of the Orthodoxy Spiritual Academy in Ternopil, uaoc.net posted the story.

On 18 October 2007 Metropolitan Mykhayil attended a holy moleben (public prayer) and ceremonies awarding diplomas of Bachelors of Theology and certificates to the first graduates of the Ternopil Academy.

To view some photos from Vladyka Mykahyil's visit, please see the following link:
http://prosfora.flamber.ru/photos/albums/1193173752/@1/

Source:
RISU
uaoc.net

NEW YORK: On September 17, the Archdiocese of New York sponsored the annual celebration of Evening Prayer on the occasion of the opening of the Sixty-Second Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The service was held at the Church of the Holy Family, on E. 47th. St. in Manhattan, near the U.N. headquarters. Bishops and clergy of various Christian denominations as well as representatives of other faiths attended, together with international diplomatic dignitaries. His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, represented the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and our Predstoyatel, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy and joined the other bishops in the church's sanctuary.

At the opening of the service, His Excellency, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, greeted the congregation and read a message from Pope Benedict XVI. The homily was delivered by His Eminence, Edward Michael Cardinal Egan, Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York. In his reflections, the cardinal referred to the duty of all people not to "violate the rights of the alien or of the orphan, nor take the clothing of a widow . . . ," citing the service's reading from Deuteronomy 24.

Before the concluding prayers, which were read in various languages, the newly-elected Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency, Mr. Ban Ki-moon addressed those gathered. After thanking Cardinal Egan for the hospitality of the Archdiocese in hosting the annual service of prayer, Mr. Ki-moon pledged to find new ways of working together, to address the many issues and problems facing the world community at the present time. He stressed the importance of delivering on the promises of the U.N. Charter, which he called, "one of the noblest documents in the history of humankind."

The service ended with all of the Christian hierarchs present bestowing the blessing upon the congregation, led by Cardinal Egan. After the recessional of bishops, clergy and dignitaries, a reception was held in the parish garden for those in attendance.

Metropolitan Mykhayil, thanked the cardinal and those responsible for organizing the event. He told reporters, "It is more important now than in many years, that the United Nations regain its position as a relevant body among the world community. Unfortunately, the conflicts and disagreements of recent years, has led to various opinions as to the role and future of the U.N. Cardinal Egan clearly reminded us tonight that the United Nations is indeed of importance to furthering the dignity of all human persons, especially those disenfranchised from their homelands or from society and those suffering the effects of war and injustice throughout the world. The new Secretary General, Mr. Ki-moon has given us new hope in his presence here. His encouraging words reassure us that it is possible to find new ways to solve problems together and to put into action, the message of peace and liberation which we as Christians, preach and hopefully, practice, within our communities."

   

GARRISION, NY: The Graymoor Spiritual Life Center hosted a lecture by Dr. Christopher Bellitto, Ph.D., professor at Kean University, Union, NJ and noted author of theological books. Most recently, Dr. Bellitto has published 10 Ways the Church Has Changed, (Pauline Books & Media, 2006), in which he discusses the historical, theological and disciplinary developments in the church over the centuries.

Among those attending the gathering were His Excellency, The Most Rev. Robert A. Brucato, DD., Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of New York (retired), and His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The Rev. James J. Gardiner, SA, Director of the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center welcomed the distinguished speaker and gave an short biographical introduction.

In his presentation, Professor Bellitto spoke of the phenomenon of change as it has effected the Christian church over the centuries. He spoke of the difference between doctrine/dogma and discipline and what those things which can and which cannot be changed in the life of the church. For helpful reference,

He defined change as "finding out who you are and applying it to what's going on in the world around you." This is something that the church must affirm from time to time, in order to be faithful to its beliefs, heritage and traditions, passed down from the earliest Christian times. Change therefore, in the professor's words is a type of "metanoia" which is part of the normal cycle of life and which may or may not be radical.

Dr. Bellitto has been an author and journalist in a wide variety of ecclesiastical mediums, including a regular religion contributor to MSNBC as well as other radio and television commentaries. His lecture spearheaded a weekly discussion group that will gather at the Spiritual Life Center to discuss the topics covered in the book. These, sure to be lively discussions, will be moderated by Fr. Gardiner.

On Sunday, September 16, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil, offered a special blessing for students of the cathedral parish, as they begin the new academic year. This has become a tradition which the Metropolitan holds dearly and observes each year. After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, the children gathered at the amvon, where Vladyka Mykhayil read the prayer of blessing from the Trebnyk and then sprinkled each student present with holy water.

Commenting on the tradition in his homily, His Eminence said that, "Our young people are all so very important to us, no matter what age or stage of development they find themselves. Not only are they the future of our church, but they are the future of our society and of the world. As their minds are opened in these formative years, to wisdom, knowledge and the truth, this will be reflected in their interaction in their communities in the years to come. We as adults have the chance and the obligation to open the minds and the hearts of our youth to the principles of the Gospel. The church must be a place where young people feel free to be and express themselves, within the context of a safe, affirming congregation. That is why I give such great emphasis to this annual school year blessing, and encourage all of our pastors to do the same. That is because it is through the learning and formation of our children today, that we can hope for a brighter future in the ensuing decades."

 AUGUST 16: A gathering was held at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center for the "Servants of the Shrine of the Virgin, Mother of the Immigrants" and their families, thanking them for their dedicated work. The shrine is located in the far wooded areas of the Graymoor monastery, along the historic Applacian Trail. The "servants" offer guided tours on foot to the shrine each Sunday from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. Comprised primarily of men, the group also takes responsibility for keeping the shrine clean and maintained, including seasonal decoration and necessary upkeep.

The reunion was organized by the director of the Spiritual Life Center, Fr. James J. Gardiner, SA, who has been instrumental in encouraging the people in their devotional and sacrificial work on behalf of the shrine. Fr. Jim has also done much to encourage the spiritual life of the immigrant community of the area, who come to the monastery at various times for pilgrimages and days of retreat and celebration. Most recently, he was instrumental in planning the "Juan Diego Sunday" on August 5. On this occasion, a bi-lingual concelebrated liturgy was held in Pilgrim Hall and the "servants" brought the statue of the Mother of the Immigrants, beautifully decorated in traditional cultural costume and colors, from the shrine to the liturgical celebration. After the Eucharistic liturgy, a procession was held on the monastery grounds, during which the story of St. Juan Diego and the apparitions at Guadalupe were re-enacted by youth of the area.

The statue of the Mother of the Immigrants has an interesting history. It was originally erected in 1964 by the well-known Brother Joeseph Marie Zakia, SA, who felt spiritually compelled to create a shrine for prayer in the wilderness. After Brother Joseph's repose, the shrine eventually became abandoned and was lost in the midst of the naturally growing woods on the mounainside. In 1994, the statue, damaged by the passing of the years and the heavy waters, was re-discovered by a new generation of immigrants who immediately began to restore and care for the shrine.

Unfortnately, in the year 2000, the faithful found the shrine vandalized, the image of the Virgin destroyed and pamphlets strewn in the area, condemning Marian devotion. This only increased the fervency of the immigrant community, who at once, rebuilt the shrine, installed a new image of the Virgin and began more frequent pilgrimages and devotions on the mountainside.To this day, hundreds of people of all backgrounds visit the shrine each year, from pilgrims, some of whom come on foot, to hikers along the Applacian Trail.

At the reunion, Fr. Gardiner thanked the "servants of the shrine" for giving of their time and talent for the benefit of God's people. A special effort was taken to serve refreshments of typical South American pastry and other delicacies, in tribute to the culture of the group. Some women members of the organization sang for those present, a special hymn to the Mother of the Immigrants, composed by one of the members.

Vladyka Mykhayil, who was present for both the reunion and the celebration on August 5, spoke to those present in Spanish, emphasizing that we are a "church of immigrants," indicating the diverse cultural nature of the whole church.  "And even more," said the Metropolitan, "we are all on the same journey - no matter if we were born in the US or have come from a far-off country. We are together on a pilgrimage to God and we hope to walk this journey together."

He also mentioned that like in Latin America, Ukraine too has many places of pilgrimage, where the faithful may publically demonastrate their devotion to Almighty God, affirm their baptismal promises and ask for the special help and protection of his Blessed Mother.

While the majority of members of the "Servants of the Mother of the Immigrants" are of Ecuadoran, Mexican or other Latin American origin, Vladyka Mykhayil was pleased that they made it a point to state that the shrine exists for the devotion of all people and invited members of the Ukrainian and other communities to join them in praying at and caring for the shrine. In addition to the normal Sunday guided tours, there are special devotions, processions and all-night vigils at the shrine throughout the year. The next special observance will be on November 25, with a night of pilgrimage named "united together with the Virgin."

The words of a pamphlet about the shrine aptly describe the love of these "servants" for the Theotokos - Mother of the Immigrants: "Found among the branches at Graymoor in the year 1994: A mother who wanted to wait in that place, for a community who would come later, a mother who waited with patience, and who wanted to convert them into missionaries of the trail, a mother who because of a dream, decided to stay."  May God bless the "Servants" and all of our immigrant, pilgrim people.

   

On September 12, the Worldwide Predstoyatel of the UAOC, His Beatitude, MEFODIY, attended the first meeting of the Kyiv interfaith council of churches and religious organizations. The gathering was held at 36, Khreshchatyk, the principal street in the ancient Ukrainian city. The purpose of the council will be to further the collaboration between the various religious confessions and institutions in matters of good works, charitable initiatives and humanitarian aid, as pointed out by Kyiv's mayor, Leonid Chernovetskyj, who addressed the leaders who gathered.

The mayor, who himself attends Orthodox services each Sunday, said that he would like to see friendship and cooperation among all of the confessions of the city. Mayor Chernovetskyj has worked on humanitarian projects for many years. His most notable accomplishment is the "Stefaniya Center," which offers meals and other services to the poor and homeless. It even includes a small chapel where people may avail themselves of the liturgy, prayers, confession and the like. Each day, over 500-700 pass through the doors of "Stefaniya" and it is estimated that since its opening, the center has helped more than three million destitute people.

The mayor reminded the religious leaders that cooperation among Kyiv's various confessions, especially in matters of cultural and charitable activities will demonstrate that it is not words, but actions that show their love for those in need.

Source: Press Service of the UAOC in Ukraine 

On September 1, the Ternopil Orthodox Spiritual Academy inaugurated the school year with an early morning Divine Liturgy celebrated for the students. The celebrant was professor of liturgy, Mitred Protopresbyter Yaroslav Pyrohom. Following the Divine Liturgy, a Panakhyda (memorial service) was held for all students and professors of the school who are now departed.

In the afternoon, a Moleben for the beginning of the academic year was held in the seminary church, attended by students and guests. The service was celebrated by professor-Mitred Protopresbyter Vyacheslav Likyakevych, who for many years has been a spiritual director and pastor and has devoted much to priestly and eparchial service.

After the dismissal of the service, from the church amvon, academy professor, Protopresbyter Roman Stefaniuk addressed the students, greeting them on behalf of the seminary faculty on the occasion of the beginning of the school year. He implored God's help as they take the path towards pastoral service in the UAOC.

Following the sermon, Protopresbyter Yevhen Zapletniuk, Press Secretary of the UAOC Patriarchate and professor at the Ternopil Theological Academy sprinkled the students with holy water and gave the blessing with the holy cross, for a good journey through the academic year.

Also speaking to the students and guests were other faculty members of the Ternopil Seminary, including Mitred Protopresbyter Anatoliyj Zaliznytskyj, who brought to the attention of the future pastors, the need for a deep spirituality among them. There was a period for questions regarding school life and the academic process. Fr. Protopresbyter Yevhen Zapletniuk greeted all present with wishes of the Lord's protection. He thanked the parents of the students for the gift of their children to the church and the good example and support they have given them throughout their lives.

The celebration ended with the singing of "many years" after which the council of professors assembled for the first meeting of the new academic year.

Metropolitan Mykhayil had the privilege of visiting the Theological Academy with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy in the summer of 2005. The beautifully renovated grounds and interior of the facility have been a high priority for the Predstoyatel, who is dedicated to the importance of priestly and theological formation.

Source: Press Service of the UAOC in Ukraine 

During the Labor Day Weekend, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil joined thousands of pilgrims, hundreds of clergy and his own family members, at Mt. St. Macrina in Uniontown, PA, for the annual Pilgrimage (Vidpust) in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This was the 73rd. consecutive pilgrimage on the Mount, which is the Motherhouse for the Uniontown Province of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great (OSBM). In 1934, Pope Pius XI gifted Mother Macrina Melynchuk, OSBM, foundress and the sisters with an ancient Greek icon of the Mother of God of Perpetual Help and asked that they hold an annual pilgrimage to honor her under this title.

The pilgrimage was a time for religious services (liturgies, molebens, panakhydas, processions, etc), as well as for personal reflection and the renewal of friendships of many years. There is also the opportunity for socializing and the singing of Ukrainian spiritual and cultural hymns. The time spent on at Mt. St. Macrina is always one of spiritual refreshment and peace, knowing that the Mother of God will hear the prayers of so many faithful pilgrims and send each of us home with her protection and a spiritual message to sustain us in our lives throughout the year.

Vladyka Mykhayil thanks the Sr. Seraphim Orlovsky, OSBM and the Sisters of St. Basil and His Eminence, Metropolitan Basil for their hospitality during the pilgrimage.

Source: Press Service UAOC America

Kyiv, Ukraine: The Head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude MEFODIY, Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine was among the principal participants in various ceremonies marking the sixteenth anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

A Moleben Service was held in the historic St. Sofia Cathedral, attended by the President of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko, his wife and family. Prayers were offered for the welfare of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The service was attended by the leaders of various confessions of Ukraine. Among them were His Beatitude, Mefodiy, Predstoyatel of the UAOC, Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Major-Archbishop Lyubomyr Husar, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Bishop Markian Trofymyak, Vice President of the Roman Catholic Conference of Bishops in Ukraine and other Ukrainian Christian and non-Christian leaders.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), however, was not represented by its Metropolitan, Volodymyr Sabodon and refused to send any representative to the service, as it has in past years. News agencies report that the Russian Orthodox Church has long been known for its position against inter-faith prayers and has made this clear in regards to these celebrations in Ukraine. According to Deacon Andrii Kurayev, head of the Union of Orthodox Citizens of Ukraine (UOCU), an arm of the MP, "the proposed case of prayers at St. Sophia’s would be irregular.”

Also attending the festive ceremony were members of various Ukrainian and Kyivan governmental ministries and organizations. After the Moleben, from outside the cathedral, President Yushchenko addressed the crowd on the occasion of this important Independence Day celebration.

On the day before Independence Day, the Predstoyatel of the UAOC, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Mefodiy was among the participants in flower-laying ceremonies at significant Kyiv memorials. President Yushchenko placed wreaths adorned with the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag at the monuments of Ukrainian patriotic figures, Grand Prince Volodymyr, Taras Shevchenko and Mykhayilo Hrushevskyj, as well as at the memorials of the Great Famine and the Second World War. Also participating were Ukrainian Prime Minister V. Yanukovych and other civic and religious leaders.

Source: Press Service of the UAOC in Ukraine 
             Official Site of the President of Ukraine
             Religious Information Service of Ukraine

Ternopil, Ukraine: On August 23, 2007, with the blessing of the Predstoyatel of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Mefodiy, the Day of the Ukrainian Flag was observed with a special blessing celebration, lead by UAOC Press Secretary, Protopresbyter Yevheny Zapletnyuk and Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity of Our Lord, Protopresbyter Ruslan Prytula. Joining them in the rite of blessing and sprinkling of flags were members of the clergy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate.

From the time of the blessing ceremony, in the Theatrical Square in central Ternopil, the flag will be flown at the monument of Stepan Banderi. The clergy also blessed other flags which will be used at every school and community center of the city.

The history of the Ukrainian flag can be traced to the times of Kyivan Rus. In the 20th. century, Ternopil was among the first regions to officially accept the blue and yellow flag as the national symbol of Ukraine in 1990.

Source: Press Service of the UAOC in Ukraine

Lviv, Ukraine: The firm MTA, owner of the popular "Evant" company mobile phone company has proposed to put as many as eight anteneas atop the tower of the Cathedral of the Dormition (Uspenskyj Sobor) in downtown Lviv. The church is the seat of the UAOC Archbishop of Lviv, Makariy and has long been a parish of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Built in the 1600s, the church's dedication was attended by Metropolitan of Kyiv, Petro Mohyla. It is a historic landmark protected by Lviv laws governing such buildings. The faithful fear that damage and/or ruin might befall the ancient house of worhship, should the structure be tampered with. We await further news as to the progress of this story.



Source: Press Service of the UAOC in Ukraine
             Religious Information Service of Ukraine

New York: A new feature length film portraying the gravity of the problem of trafficing in human being is scheduled to be released by Lions Gate Films on September 21. His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil joined other clergy and journalists in a screening of the movie in Manhattan on August 25.

Set primarily in Mexico and the United States, the film documents the story of a number of individuals who are taken into captivity for the purpose of internet auctioning soon after their arrival in Mexico City. Smuggled illegally into the US, the victims are severely mistreated and abused while on a journey which eventually is to take them to New Jersey where they will be sold to the highest bidder. Through the efforts of a Texas police officer, two of the captives are able to be saved from their intended fate.

The victims come from a variety of countries, including Eastern Europe and Asia. They all originally arrive on the American continent, with the notion that the people whom they have trusted to get them there will bring them into the United States to fulfill their dreams of a better life. It is shocking to see the way in which they are manipulated in order to serve as a means of gaining wealth for their captors, who also come from multiple nationalities.

All Christians are encouraged to see this film if possible. An awareness of the moral and social implications it portrays is necessary to form a proper conscience and raise a voice of reason in this matter of human justice.

Source: Press Service - UAOC- America
            Movie Website