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Dear Friends,

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has proclaimed this year to be the Year of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, on the 110th anniversary of his birth.


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www.ugcc.org.ua [ugcc.org.ua]

Year of Patriarch Slipyj Begins

25.02, [17:13] // News // UGCC Info

His Beatitude Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, the head of the Ukrainian
Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), officially opened the year in honor of
the servant of God, Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, on 18 February 2002.
This day coincided with the 110th anniversary of the patriarch's
birthday.

On this occasion Cardinal Husar addressed believers, emphasizing
three important aspects of the patriarch's life that, in his
opinion, deserve special attention.

First of all, it is the confession of Josyf Slipyj, his
sufferings and firmness in acknowledging his faith, which have come
to epitomize the abolished, but never suppressed, church. This
component of Patriarch Slipyj's personality should be given much
attention, Cardinal Husar stressed.

Secondly, he continued, it is academic work that played such
a significant role in the patriarch's life. He was one of the few to
have made so great a contribution to the acquisition of scholarly
assets by the church. After he became rector of the Lviv Theological
Academy, Josyf Slipyj dedicated much time to educating priests.

Finally, it was the patriarch's desire to revive the Ukrainian
Greek Catholic Church as well as to clarify its objectives and
identity both in Eastern Europe and in the Catholic Church on the
whole.

The head of the UGCC called upon the clergy, monks, nuns and
believers to spend this time reflecting upon the examples given by
such distinguished personalities as Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky
and Patriarch Slipyj in order to encourage yourselves to strive for
perfection.
[/QUOTE]

..........................................


I understand that the Patriarch, when he was head of the seminary, disapproved of married clergy, but later in his life he changed his opinion. I was wondering if his views on other topics changed, and how his views on East-West questions fit into the spectrum of views between, for example, the Blessed Bishops Charnetsky and Khomyshyn.

I hope some of our historically learned posters might shed some light on his views.

Thank You

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

[ 03-10-2002: Message edited by: Two Lungs ]

[ 03-10-2002: Message edited by: Two Lungs ]

From what I have heard, he was a very unique person with regard to East-West matters. Theologicaly, he was very Western, but Liturgicaly, he tried to be very Eastern. So, I guess he was a mix of Blessed Nicholas and Blessed Hryhori.

On another note, I visited his birthplace. There is now a huge museum there dedicated to him. The town is called "Zazdrist" (Ternopil Oblast). Translated into English, the name means "jealousy." Funny name, huh?

Does someone know the exact details of the story where he was offered the Russian Orthodox See of Kiev? Alex...?

Daniil

Daniil,
I heard that one time during Liturgy at St. Sofia's in Rome( the most beautiful church I have been too) he walked around the Holy Table and knocked off all of the bishops service book because technically they aren't suppost to touch the Holy Table. So yes he was very much Eastern in Liturgy. I also was under the impression he was pretty Eastern in Theology, but I can be mistaken.
-ukrainiancatholic

Patriarch Joseph ordained many of our outstanding married North American presbyters during his exile in Rome.

May God grant us his speedy beatification and canonization!!

Stefan

Dear Friends,

I had the privilege of having an audience with the Patriarch-Confessor when I was still Daniil's age .

My grandfather, Father John, knew the Patriarch when he was Rector of the L'viv Theological Academy.

When Josef Slipyj, consecrated Metropolitan-Archbishop by St. Andrew Sheptytsky in hurry, was arrested, so strong was the Confessor's belief that he would return to his flock in Western Ukraine that he asked my grandfather to look after his property for him.

That the Confessor was offered the Moscow Patriarchate is something that will never be confirmed publicly by those who might have documented evidence, if any is to be had.

But it certainly would have been the "smart" thing for the KGB to do - to have the former, Jesuit-trained, Greek Catholic Metropolitan of Galicia as the new Moscow Patriarch!

But the Confessor would have none of any KGB promises. As we know, he was tied to the ground in Siberia and an entire Siberia battalion walked over him, breaking some of his ribs in the process. He only received medical attention for this when he left the camps for Rome, thanks to Blessed Pope John XXIII and President John F. Kennedy.

The KGB also broke his right hand by pulling back on his fingers and this to prevent him from ever righting to his flock as the "Prisoner of Jesus Christ" as he did once.

In Siberia, he was bishop for Old Believers, True Orthodox Christians, Eastern Catholics, Baptists and other Evangelicals. Siberia is a great ecumenical gathering place!

Vladyka Isidore Borecky graciously invited my father, my brother and I to have an audience with the Patriarch when he was in Toronto.

I remember how tall he was and how massive a frame he possessed.

He sat down very informally, dressed in a cassock (he was having a nap at the time, so I wondered if he appreciated us barging in then!).

He put his right hand down on the end table next to him and appeared relaxed.

I remember his piercing eyes and his low, determined voice.

He wanted to know how old my brother and I were. He then, very kindly, said that we should both consider the Priesthood and come to Rome to study at his seminary!

I then spoke up and asked him about the possibility of marriage i.e. married priesthood.

He then said, "You don't want to be a bishop? If you want to get married, that's fine. It's only a problem if you want to be a bishop . . ."

He then gave us some general "life counsels" about studying hard, serving the Church etc.

When I kissed that martyred right hand, I felt most honoured indeed. I also have a letter from the Patriarch, personally signed by him to thank me for an article I wrote about his life. I treasure that signature, since others have told me it would have hurt him to write.

A relative in L'viv also sent me a prayer-card with his picture, touched to his relics when he was translated there after his repose.

Leaving the Patriarch, I felt energized, calm and inwardly strong.

I suppose he needed to have that kind of strength not only for himself, for his entire martyred Church.

Thank you for this opportunity to recall these experiences.

Alex

He was considered one of the most brillent Thomist scholars of his time, so maybe you can say he was western in theology.

However, all of this misses the point. I would think most Ukrainian faithful would be aghast that one could speak of this holy man without first appreciating his heroic efforts for the Church of the catacombs, his inprisionment, his holy efforts to preserve the undergroudn church and the Church of exile. All of this makes commentary on hanky waving seem secondary.

K.

Dear Kurt,

You are right, of course.

The Confessor's chosen field of theological study was the Eastern view on the "Filioque."

His scholarship brought together the East and the West, and Rome even consulted his works on the subject.

His views are similar to those of Bishop Kallistos Ware - something remarkable in itself from an ecumenical point of view.

I was with a Jesuit student once who roundly started to criticize the Confessor as an "inept leader."

My first reaction was to dismiss him verbally as a "real Jesuit in more ways than one."

But then, having breathed in some fresh air, I simply told him that the Confessor "had not had the leisure of learning all the refinements of administrative leadership, as his time was so taken up with the tedious matter of witnessing to Christ and union with the Catholic Church in Siberia for 18 years."

The Jesuit student promptly joined his upper and lower lips together, in which position they remained for the duration of our then uneasy period of togetherness.

And I normally like Jesuits .

Alex

Alex,
I heard(maybe a rumor) that his hands were broken like 9+ times for trying to celebrate Liturgy in Siberia.
-ukrainiancatholic

Dear UC,

It could very well have been - it would certainly not have been the first time the KGB did that to a cleric.

I remember kissing his right hand and how big and swollen it truly was.

That is why I treasure his personal signature.

Alex

[ 03-12-2002: Message edited by: Orthodox Catholic ]

Greek Catholics Participate In Two Pilgrimages

LVIV, UKRAINE, Jul 15, 02 (RISU.org.ua)

Two large pilgrimages were held in western Ukraine's Ternopil region from 13 to 14 July 2002. Faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) from Ukraine and abroad traveled to the village of Zazdrist, home of the late Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, leader of the UGCC in the mid-20th century, and to Zarvanytsia, a Marian shrine and traditional site for all-Ukrainian pilgrimages.

With the blessing of Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, head of the UGCC, and the support of the city councils of Lviv and Ternopil, 2002 was declared the year of Patriarch Josyf. This year is the 110th anniversary of his birth.

On 14 July, 10,000 pilgrims attended a solemn pontifical Liturgy celebrated by Cardinal Husar in Zarvanytsia. Concelebrants included hierarchs, exarchs, auxiliary and emeritus bishops from Ukraine, Australia, Canada, the USA, Argentina, and countries of Europe.

Addressing the faithful assembled there, Cardinal Husar said: “This is a day of great joy, for right here, at the feet of the most holy Mother of God, our whole church is gathered, with the leaders of the people, bishops, religious and civil representatives. We have come here to thank God for His gifts to us, and also to ask Him for support in all our good undertakings. But we need the divine blessing to act in accordance with His will, so that, proceeding according to His teaching, we may rebuild the life of our society.”

At the end of the Liturgy, Cardinal Husar received an award stating that he is an honorary citizen of the city of Ternopil.

Source: Press service of the head of the UGCC

The words of Patriarch Josyf, on Christian Unity in 1976

"Pastoral Letter

On the Unity in Christ

Ukrainian People
Peace and Blessings

Every Believer in God, who is conscious of his Ukrainian Nationality, when viewing the present difficult situation of Ukrainian people, both in Ukraine and Diaspora, is subconsciously filled with terror for its future existence and development. Persecution and oppression of the Church and religion in the Ukraine and divisions and dissentions outside the native Ukraine; these are the facts which every honest Ukrainian is compelled to reflect upon.

Where to look for a solution and what means it is necessary to employ in order that one may tread the right path in this time of misfortune; to use means necessary to secure a healthy future and, what is more, that one may not disappear from the face of the earth and go down in history as an obsolete and dead element, as has already happened in the history of some Nations. Even for a genius, it is no easy task at present to achieve the edification of so many unfortunate people. However, this must not be a reason for throwing up our hands in despair, especially for those who believe God and look for his sure help. Indeed, St Paul says: "Come then, stiffen the sinews of the drooping hand and flagging knee and plant your footprints in a straight track so that the man who goes home may not stumble out of the path but regain strength instead" (Hebrews 12, 12).

Every person, no matter what views he holds, or how he regards the present religious and governmental positions - be they Ukrainian or foreign - must admit that the strongest factor in the deeds and creations of the people is religion; belief in God. Even atheists see and openly declare that it is impossible today to eliminate belief in God from the soul of a person, even by the use of the most powerful means of material and physical governmental strength. Therefore, if this is so, then it is necessary to focus on this most important moment in the life of a person, people and State. Thus emerges the question, what is the state of affairs concerning religion and belief in God amongst the Ukrainian Nation? It is a pity that in this is the root of all evil, because it is religion which should be that strongest element in the thoughts and deeds of the so heavily divided and disunited Ukrainian people. We have Catholic and Orthodox Churches, Evangelical Communities and several divided religious groups, all of which suffer penal servitude. It is, however, a great pity that they fight each other and, therefore, are not strong enough to unite the Ukrainian people and lead the offensive against the evil forces of the world. Our Good Lord admonished us: "NO KINGDOM CAN BE AT WAR WITH ITSELF WITHOUT BEING LAID WASTE; NO CITY OR HOUSEHOLD THAT IS AT WAR WITH ITSELF CAN STAND FIRM" (Matthew 12,25).

Therefore, in view of the strong religious convictions of the Ukrainian people, we appeal to you to BEGIN YOUR RECOVERY FORM THE ROOTS OF SPIRITUALITY, FROM YOUR IMMORTAL SOUL AND ITS NEEDS!

All individuals who accept belief in God and Christ, must admit that Christ made Man established ONE FLOCK, ONE CHURCH AND ONE SHEPHERD, and for this unity He prayed fervently during the Last supper: "Holy Father, keep them true to Thy name, Thy gift to me, that they may be one, as we are one" (John 17, 11) "that they too may be one in us" (John 17,21) "and so they may be perfectly made one" (John 17,23).

The majority of our Churches are Orthodox and Catholic, and, impartially peaking, THERE ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL DOGMATIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US, as is shown by theological studies and stated in history. To tell the truth, severance and division are supported only from outside, from those who know that by this they will weaken the Ukrainian Nation and Church. The brightest moment in our history was the basic understanding on the question of the Patriarchate between both Churches during the time of Metropolitans Peter Mohyla and Joseph Weliamyn Rutskyj.

Unfortunately, their great concept of agreement did not come to fruition. From another side, the Poles and other neighbors wanted to latinize and polonise Ukrainian Catholics in order to serve their own political motives. Therefore, it is necessary to reflect on such a state of affairs and to give consideration to own Church, and own good, instead of to be the reel in strange hands, who wind and spin cotton for their own clothing. Admittedly, such great steps towards near understanding, in recent times, were made during the lifetime of the late Metropolitan Andrij Szeptyckyj. Similarly now a cordial meeting took place during the Gathering of Orthodox in Bound Brook with Metropolitan John Teodorowycz. There great words were uttered: WE ORTHODOX, ARE THE SAME AS YOU CATHOLICS: This is true, and conscientious studies reveal that there are no dogmatic or spiritual differences. IT IS NECESSARY FOR US ALL TO STAND ON THE TRADITION OF OUR KIEV FOREFATHERS and not to be subjected to Russian Synodian and likewise influences.

Our Evangelists too stand on the same principle with regard to Christ's Gospel. It is necessary to draw closer to the Apostles Andrew and Peter, with whom our Christianity began and still continues.

Likewise, our Biblical Communities, who take the Holy Bible as their basis, read that within it burns this belief in One God and Jesus Christ our Redeemer. When we celebrated Holy Mass in the Northern part of the Argentine, in Chaco, countless numbers of our Jehovah Witnesses learned over the radio about our Liturgy in a great Roman Catholic Cathedral and came from colonies and woods and filled the whole Church to capacity. They prayed with us! No wonder, that they speak out about the necessity for the unity of religion and faith.

TRUTH IS ONLY ONE! How painful it is for other Nations, for example, the Germans, regarding the split in their Church and how their endeavors to unite develop so splendidly under the influence of the Holy Ghost in the so-called Ecumenical Movement - movement of unification but, on the contrary, how strong is the unity of today's Catholic Church in Poland which shows resistance to both atheists and materialists!

How powerful was our State in the time of Vladimir the Great and Jaroslav Mudryj! Because we had ONE FAITH AND ONE CHURCH, which spiritually united all people, and strengthened all governmental life and created its culture!

Would it not be possible to commence united action of two Churches by agreeing the translations of the Liturgy and other Liturgical Services, to pray "with one tongue and one heart"? Again, to achieve such friendship with other Christian communities, it is necessary to begin by reading the same Holy Scripture translated form the original. Apparently this approach must take place with understanding, slowly and gradually. WE MUST BE OURSELVES! We must look after our own spiritual needs and salvation of our Souls - and then THERE WILL BE UNITY BETWEEN US, IN THE FIRST PLACE AT CHURCH LEVEL AND THEM AT NATIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL! It is necessary for them to place the needs of the Church and Nation above our own vain personal ambitions and own personal or communal profits!

This is a very gratifying sign in that all believers in the Ukraine belonging to various religious groups begin to understand and feel that, UNITING IN ONE PARTICULAR UKRAINIAN CHURCH UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PATRIARCH, WE WILL BECOME A FORTRESS AGAINST WHICH THE OFFENSIVES OF THE ENEMIES WILL BE CRUSHED, both religious and political.

We are approaching the FEAST OF PENTECOST. With common ardent prayer, we must appeal to the Holy Ghost, as the Ghost of Unity, that He may enlighten us, inspire and give us strength for our unity and unification in faith in One Church. The Holy Ghost through the words of St. Paul appeals to us: "ONLY I ENTREAT YOU, BRETHREN, AS YOU LOVE THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, USE, ALL OF YOU, THE SAME LANGUAGE. THERE MUST BE NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU; YOU MUST BE RESTORED TO UNITY OF MIND AND PURPOSE." ( Corinthians 1,10)

GOD'S BLESSING UPON YOU!

+ JOSEPH
+ PATRIARCH


Given in Rome by the Patriarchal Sobor of St. Sophia
Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord
3 June 1976

Taken from Briefing by Infoform. Publications Section of the Catholic Information Office (1976)."

Orthodox Catholic,

WOW! Alex! You are indeed blessed to meet so many living saints...Patriarch Josyf & and most recently, Pope John Paul II.

I would be blessed to shake your hand and meet you someday!

Is there a short article or anything that I can use about "The year of Patriarch Josyf" to put into my parish newsletter???

Like maybe you wrote something for your church newsletter or something about Patriarch Josyf that I can borrow and of course put your name as a credit for this article. I can talk with my priest this afternoon and see if I can get one whole page devoted on the life of Patriarch Josyf?

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

PS, as I was typing this..I kept spelling Josef rather than Josyf because I'm part German, so I had to correct them all.

I heard from someone who saw this happen in Rome that he would wack priests' hands with his hand cross if they rested them on the Holy Table or tried to place something else besides the Gospel book, antimension or liturgical vessels.

A holy confessor who largely is responsible for the preservation of our church in the underground. Even in Rome, because of the "Ostpolitik" of the Vatican in the Brezhnev era, he lead an almost underground existence there as well.

Holy Confessor and Patriarch Josyp, pray to God to have mercy on us.

Slava Isusu Khrestu!
I'm organizing a concert in the memory of Josef Slipeij and tomorrow I'm having a meeting with some choir conductors and representatives of Ukie clubs as well. It was also nice of Kyr Jeremias of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church saying that he would like to participate in the celebrations and there's also a possibility of the Ukrainian Orthodox choir participating as well. I would like to know if anybody has any material of his life and speeches that would be interesting to present during a speech that I will have to prepare. I would be gratefull if someone could give me a hand. We are organizing this celebration for the month of October.
Thanks,
Lauro

Dear Lauro,

Well, I did a speech way back when about his life and I have a personally signed letter from His Beatitude expressing his gratitude (hey, that sounds almost poetic!).

Alex

Alex,
If you could let me have a look at the speech you prepared, I would appreciate it. Of course I won't use the same speech, but maybe it would help me out. Many people down here don't know very much about the late Patriarch, and I get some funny smerks from some priests when I mention him as Patriarch. Once a priest (OSBM) told me that we never had a patriarch, I in turn told him that he never had a Patriach but I sure did.
Lauro

Dear Lauro,

Well, given that situation with the OSBM, perhaps you don't need to see my speech . . .

It's packed away in a box somewhere, unfortunately, and will be for a few more weeks yet.

I'll send it to you when I can.

I remember reading about how the Vatican denied the Patriarch's request for the establishment of the Ukr. Cath. Patriarchate way back when.

But the Vatican could not bring itself to tell the Confessor directly.

So, instead, it sent two Ukrainian Basilian priests to deliver its message to him . . .

And they went gladly enough.

Alex

Alex,
This part of our church history really makes me sad. To be honest with you sometimes I'm ashamed of being Ukie. I know of people who weren't Ukie and regarded him as a Patriarch. How long will it take for our people to wake up, not so much of our people but our clergy? Many of them don't seem to care, others don't want to get involved. What are they afraid of?
Lauro

Dear Ipreima,

Who was who said that some Ukies are more "Papal than the Pope himself?"

Alex

Alex,
What's the pro-patriarchal movement like in the States and Canada?
I'm really outnumbered here in Brazil. It's like 20 or so, against thousands. (I'm saying thousands because these people don't have a background on Ukie history and they believe everything and anything that the osbm priests tell them). I'm trying to do the best I can. People for some reason seem to respect me eventhough they don't agree with my points of view and they don't want to start a debate on the issue either. Sometimes I feel that I'm talking to walls. My wife has told me that I'm wasting my time and that I should be doing something more useful instead of looking for trouble. Sometimes I come to think she's right you know.

Lauro

Dear Ipreima,

I think she's right too!

Unless Rome approves of it, we're both banging our heads against the wall.

I think we need to be informed and we should support the patriarchal movement whenever we can in whatever concrete ways we can.

Sometimes the best thing we can do in this respect is to promote the restoration of our Byzantine-Kyivan heritage in our Church and otherwise promote "De-Latinization" if at all possible.

The Patriarchal movement is part and parcel of this process. Those who don't appreciate are the Latinizers and the Latinized in our Church.

Alex

Dear Friends,

If Argentinian Jehovah's Witnesses will come out to join Patriarch Josyf in prayer, how come our Greek Catholic Church is divided up into chunks?

In the Patriarch's words (in 1976):

"Likewise, our Biblical Communities, who take the Holy Bible as their basis, read that within it burns this belief in One God and Jesus Christ our Redeemer. When we celebrated Holy Mass in the Northern part of the Argentine, in Chaco, countless numbers of our Jehovah Witnesses learned over the radio about our Liturgy in a great Roman Catholic Cathedral and came from colonies and woods and filled the whole Church to capacity. They prayed with us! No wonder, that they speak out about the necessity for the unity of religion and faith."

Lauro, you might find some useful material from the Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa, Canada or from the UGCC in Lviv.

Have a Blessed Day !!!

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Dear John,

That is a famous quote of the Patriarch's to be sure.

It was part of an ecumenical encyclical he sent out to try and sort out the religious diversity of the Ukrainians.

The reference to Jehovah's Witnesses is vague, however.

The Patriarch used the more generic "Yehovisty" which could certainly imply the Witnesses (Ukrainian immigrants to Argentina) or else he could have used this term as a blanket description for any "evangelical sect."

When the Patriarch made the statement that "there are no substantive differences in faith between Catholics and Orthodox," he came under fire, first and foremost, from Ukrainian bishops, especially in Europe, who said that "There are indeed substantive differences etc."

The "chunks" you refer to are "cut up" by church leaders, and not by the laity.

Alex

My opinion also, but there were and are "nationalist" views among the people, as you well know.

Greek Catholics Mark Year of Patriarch Slipyj

10.09, [09:11] // News // UGCC Info

Festivities dedicated to the year of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj were held from 7 to 8 September 2002 in Lviv. In February 2002, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) celebrated the 110th anniversary of the patriarch's birthday and officially opened the year in his honor.

On 7 September, the anniversary of Patriarch Slipyj's death, Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, curial auxiliary bishop of the UGCC, celebrated a Divine Liturgy in St. George's Cathedral, where the patriarch's remains are buried. On 8 September, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, head of the UGCC, celebrated another Divine Liturgy. In his sermon, Cardinal Husar thanked everyone who is trying to spread knowledge of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, who through his prayerful intercession is praying for God's blessings on Ukraine.

Also on 8 September, festivities began at St. George's Cathedral and the Church of the Transfiguration in Lviv.

Dear John,

The people there truly venerate the Patriarch as a Saint and a New Hieroconfessor.

All my relatives who sent me prayercards with his picture refer to him as "Saint."

If our Church had Stuart's "chutzpah" , they would go ahead and canonize him by themselves.

Then let Rome say this Confessor of 18 years in Siberia isn't a saint . . .

Alex

Slava Isusu Christu!


Dear friends,

without a doubt this man is a Saint as well as a the national hero of the Ukranian dispora.

In Ostoi Livitski (excuse my spelling), where my ancenstors hail they are already hailing him as a Saint.

I never had the chance to see the late Patriarch in person but my parents did during one of his tour stops at the Cathederal Of The Immaculate Conception. The thoughts they conveyed to me were he was a true Disciple of Christ in every sense of the word. Power, dignity, and a true leader when the dipora desperately needed a leader.

As I look back and go over what this man accomplished I cannot help but be awed. A major participant at the Second Vatican Council, Construction of the Ukranian Catholic University, Construction of St. Sophia's in Rome, a major voice, advocate, and supporter of education for the Priesthood and the dispora.


And finally a living example of the Catholic message of love, human dignity, and tolerance that binds us together as Catholics and human beings.

And on the issue of the Patriarchial title in the Ukranian Greek Church, our head is a Patriarch. And the Patriarch should be allowed to vote for the Pope!

Dear Friend,

Someone once wrote an article saying our Church's Head should also be a "Catholicos" to ensure he has jurisdiction over his flock throughout the Diaspora as well.

Have you heard of this? What do you think?

Alex

Alex,
Could you explain? I thought that if he were proclaimed "Patriarch" His authority was not only in Ukraine but the Diaspora as well.
Lauro

Dear Lauro,

Yes, that's where I'm confused.

I've heard priests in the civilized part of the world in which I live tell me that a Patriarch usually only holds jurisdiction in the country in which he resides.

The Oriental Churches with their Catholicoi have jurisdiction over their flock worldwide.

Perhaps Qathuliqa Mor Ephrem could explain the authority and jurisdiction of the Oriental Catholicosates?

Phil! Over here! We need y'a!

Alex

Slava Isusu Christu!


Dear Orthodox,

in the United States, Canada, and South America I believe most Ukranians prefer a Cardinal because like the Irish, Italians, and Poles, who preceded us we have arrived in the Catholic Church in this sense. The dispora is very proud to have a Cardinal, College, and grade school in Toronto named after Patriarch Slipyj. So in the Western Catholic sense we have came, seen, and conquered.

Were we run into trouble is we have five million Ukranian Greek Catholics in the Ukraine who want a Patriarch. The Church would like us to have a diologue with the Orthodox but we cannot even address our head by his proper title. If you are an Russian Orthodox priest wouldn't you be amused by addressing the head of the Ukranian Greek Church as a Cardinal? Is a Cardinal Byzantine?

My suggestion would be to have a Cardinal for the dispora and a Patriarch for the Ukraine itself. Of course the Patriarch would be the ultimate head, but would consult the Cardinal to gain the true pulse of what the dispora is concerned about. Before true diologue can begin we need to get our own house in order.

Slava Isusu Christu!

Dear Alex and Iperma,

a Patriarch is usually an elder Archbishop who is the head of our church. The term denotes a definitive rank in the heirarchy. They are only subject to Rome and hold rank over Bishops/Metropolitans.

The term Patriarch means father or chief of a race, clan, or family.

The heads of the twelve tribes of Isreal are referred to as Patriarchs.

On a practical day to day level the Patriarch only becomes involved during Bishops confrences, administration and issues facing the whole church, and usually lets the local Bishops/Metropolitans handle matters in their own region while keeping a supervisory role. In other words if a Bishop/Metroplitan is a tyrant, the Patriarch steps in and corrects the situation.

Patriarch is just that, Pater, Papa, Tato, Daddy, for all of his people, homeland, diaspora, the Moon, wherever. Period. He's our man.

Ipriema, in both the Stamford and Chicago eparchies he is commemorated as Patriarch. I can't speak for Parma but imagine it is the same there. I think almost all of Canada does the same.

Of course under Bishop Isidore in Toronto, who was a close friend of Patriarch Josyp, the Toronto Eparchy was probably the first in North America to proclaim him as patriarch liturgically in North America. Once again Alex, you guys blaze the trail!

Dear Diak,

Ah, but you and Steven and Ipreima don't know the half of it!

Yes, officially the main parishes in our Eparchy commemorated Patriarch Slipyj - there was interparochial strife over it.

The religious Orders never commemorated him as such and one Basilian priest wanted to avoid the whole controversy by simply praying for "Our Pope and the Hierarchy of our Church."

Bishop Isidore sometimes apparently avoided calling Patriarch Slipyj a "Patriarch" and when I wrote an article praising our Bishop for his steadfast defence of Slipyj, patriarchal organizations outside our Eparchy jumped on me with both feet to tell me the superlatives weren't wholly deserved . . .

On the other hand, the group that brow-beat me were trying to take over the patriarchal movement in our Eparchy, so they had their own agenda.

Then we had priests who, instead of "His Beatitude" referred to Pat. Josef as "His Holiness" and the "patriots" among us praised the latter more highly.

The fact remains that no other Church, including Rome, recognizes our Primate as a Patriarch and that many parishes within our Church wouldn't commemorate him as such either because Rome hasn't given the go-ahead.

Patriarch Lybomyr's attitude seems to emphasize Roman recognition of the patriarchal status of our Church. One reason for that is because he is well acquainted with the internal strife the lack of that recognition has caused our Church in the past. Another is that there is a certain problem with telling the world you are a Patriarch in letters and than having people write you back as "Cardinal" because they look your title up in the Vatican directory . . .

Alex

Dear Friends,

I came across an interesting project for children on the UGCC website. I suppose that the winning entries might be posted in the future.

-------------------------------------

Patriarch Slipyj Children's Contest Starts In Ternopil

25.11, [09:20] // News // UGCC Info

A city contest for the best piece of art created by children, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, was launched in western Ukrainian Ternopil on 20 November 2002.

Among the organizers of the contest were the municipal Department of Education and local educational and catechetical institutions.

Children aged from 6 to 18 were invited to present their paintings and literary works, illustrating the life of Patriarch Slipyj.

Winners will be selected in the literary, scholarly and artistic crafts nominations. The jury is expected to name the winners in early December.

Source: Radio “Ternopil” 106.1 FM.

Dear Friend in Christ,

I still have my letter from Patriarch Josef the Hieroconfessor thanking me for my article about his life I wrote when he was still alive.

I guess that disqualifies me from entering this contest?

Alex

Very interesting discussion about Patriarch Josyf.
I had the opportunity to personally meet Patriarch Josyf while he was on a visit to Saskatchewan and to kiss the hand of an unwavering witness to the Gospel of Christ. My uncle was a student in the seminary of which Fr. Josyf was rector.
Patriarch Josyf was the first head of the UGCC to publicly ascribe to himself the title of patriarch and would use this title as part of his signature. It's unfortunate that some (many?) Ukrainian Catholics (hierarchy and faithful) did not support him in this. He was a man of vision,a man who knew what he was talking about (because he had walked the walk)and a man with a great love for the people and the Church.

His Testament is a great work. Everyone should get a copy and read it carefully. He minces no words in his attempt to put his beloved UGCC faithful on the true path.
May the Lord give blessed rest to his soul.

Dcn Yurij

Dear Alex,

As Babci used to tell me, "I learn something every day." As long as you are learning something, you are still a student. And the contest is for students.

Keep on learning, my friend.

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Dear Friends,

How great is this!

Patriarch Josef's vision for the U.G.C.C. is starting to come to frutation.

With Patriarch Lubomyr being commerated as Patriarch in all our parishes we may see one Unified Church yet.

Steven

Dear Steven,

But with the Catholic-Orthodox dialogue resuming, having been broken in 2000 over the Eastern CAtholic Churches, how likely is it that Rome will recognize our Patriarchate?

Not that we should care any more, mind you . . .

Alex

Dear Alex,

In Orthodoxy Patriarch Lubomyr is already on an equal basis as the Pope.

Why should we care if Rome recognises are Patriarchate or not? As long as we recognize and commerate him as Patriarch, he is Patriarch.

With 3 other Orthodox Patriarchates in Ukraine.... I can safely say there is room for a fourth.

Food for thought,

Steven

+ Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!

Dear Steven,

You are right, of course.

But Patriarch Lubomyr would like Rome to acknowledge the fact of our Patriarchate. Unfortunately, that is the way the Catholic Church is currently set up and even in Orthodoxy, our Patriarchate would be regarded as needed acknowledgement as such from the other Patriarchs.

The multiplication of Patriarchates is silliness and stupidity on the Ukies' part. Chalk it up to not having a long-standing tradition of state organization or whatever.

Or even to the fact that our people's mentality is that of the independent middle class, owing to our Kozak history.

There are any number of excuses one may come up with . . .

But, yes, we can stand a few more Patriarchates - why not? "Rome and roome enough" as Shakespeare wrote.

The Armenians have several Patriarchates but they defer to the Catholicos in Etchmiadzin.

Now there's a thought!

Instead of trying to get the new Patriarchs to resign, why not select a "Catholicos-Patriarch" among them to reside in Kyiv and then appoint the others, under him, to different locales around the world.

One could have one for North America and could reside in New York or Winnipeg.

Perhaps the Armenian model is our ecclesial salvation?

Alex

Dear Alex,

May I just say the Armenian model is a great model!

I believe instead of looking for formal unity, we should start building up trust with the various Churches in Ukraine.

I am pretty sure that the Ukie Catholic Church could act as a good mediator(When asked of course ) in the region.

I agree with you, Patriarch Lubomyr is not leaving union with Rome. But he does have some intrigueing options if he chose to exercise them.

Steven

Dear Steven,

Yes, but he will have to have the gumption to proceed without Rome's approval.

Ultimately, Rome should be treated as "out there" but having no real relevance for our daily lives as Particular Churches.

The problem is that we have people for whom being Catholic is a "real Yoke" (Roman that is).

And they have no sense of what being a Particular Church really is about.

They are Roman Catholics with "funny" accoutrements that they use in their worship.

We don't need the Eastern Curia, or Roman canon law, or other intrusions into our Churches.

When we start to think with "our own heads," then we can move ahead.

Alex

Dear Alex,

If you ask me Patriarch Lubomyr is sitting in the middle of the fence.

Having all Churches commerate him as Patriarch was a good first step.

But now is the time for him to stop caring what Rome and Moscow would like him to do. He is our Patriarch, with our full support. He does not NEED TO ASK ALL MAJOR RELIGIONS what his title and role should be as Patriarch.

We are a Particular Church with a Patriarch we have elected through our own Bishops. Ultimately, it is up to us to clean our own house up and proceed with our own plans.

Steven

Dear Steven,

Would that all Ukie Catholics were like you!

Perhaps we should start a program of ecclesial cloning?

Alex

Dear Alex,

I have been in the Ukrainian Catholic Church throughout my life.

I have seen a lot of good examples such as Patriarch Slipyj standing up to Rome and calling himself Patriarch. He also had no problems with a married Priesthood even when a lot of Roman Catholics did. I can see the look on the Roman Curia's faces now .

But there is also a lot of bad. A lot of it of our own making. Our past Basilians have a history of loyalty to Rome and not their own Church. Being replaced by Carmailites can remedy this .

Steven

Dear Steven,

Well, interestingly enough, St Josaphat was a Basilian, and he actually OPPOSED accepting a Byzantine Rite Carmelite Order on the grounds they are Latin!

(Sorry, Fr. Elias!)

But the Basilians of today are like the Eastern Rite Jesuits and I understand they take the SAME oath of loyalty to the Pope as the Jesuits do.

With the difference that the Basilians really MEAN what they say in the oath!

Alex

God forbid!! Haha just kidding; being loyal to the Pope and being loyal to your Particular Church are one in the same for me.

ChristTeen287

Dear Alex,

I believe Studites accross the board are the Order of the day .

Patriarch Lubomyr can start the ball moving in this direction across the board .

Steven

Talking about Studites,... We need them down here!
Lauro

+ Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us - Amen!

Dear Steven,

I think we better do something about sending some Studites down to where Lauro is before long!

Perhaps they could send them some Studite students?

That way they could get used to the climate slowly . . .

I remember when a Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada was going home and he was asked by the press how he liked the Canadian summer.

"How should I know? he said. "I've only been here 11 months!"

Alex

Dear Alex and Steven,
If and when the Studite monks ever come down here. I'd be more than happy to pick them up at the airport, I'd also ask somebody at the airport to take a few pictures of me with them.
They for sure will have a lot of work to do. I'd say that 95% of the Ukie Catholics down here have never heard of them, much less seen them. Some people might look at them let's say with a little fear and doubt at first, but once the people understand the history of the Studite monks and their Holy way of being, it won't take long for people to support them and help them grow and maybe even out-grow a certain order that we have down here (you know the one I'm talking about). I've already spoken to my bishop about it and he told me that he would honestly think about it. I have also started to speak with some priests and some of them seem to be supportive of the idea, but others seem to tremble when they hear the word Studite. I really see no reason for not giving them a small parish (three blocks from my home). So that they could start teaching our kids and not only kids but adults as well in the true Byzantine tradition. I don't know honestly if there would be Studite monks available in Ukraine or elsewhere who would like to be transfered, but four or five monks would be a good number to start with.
Lauro