risu.org.ua - On Sunday 22nd October 2017, parish priest Rev Volodymyr Sampara, along with representatives of the Ukrainian community in Greater Manchester, welcomed His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Dormition of Our Lady in Manchester. Joining His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav at the celebration of the Pontifical Divine Liturgy was Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, Bishop Hryhoriy Komar (Auxiliary Bishop of Sambir-Drohobych), Rev Taras Khomych from the neighbouring parish of Liverpool and Very Rev Mitred Archpriest Bohdan Matwijiwczuk (administrator of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Great Britain).
Later that afternoon, His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav visited All Saints Ukrainian Church in Bolton. He was welcomed by parish priest Rev Ewhen Nebesniak SDB and Mr Hryhoriy Bolubash (a founding member of the Bolton Ukrainian community) and celebrated a Moleben to the Mother of God. The Right Reverend John Arnold (Bishop of Salford) was also present at the service. Councillor Roger Hayes accompanied by his wife Jaleh Hayes, along with Right Honourable Ms Yasmin Qureshi (MP Bolton South East) attended the commemorations in honour of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Ukrainian Catholic Exarchate/Eparchy in the UK.
On Monday 23rd October 2017, His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav concluded his tour of Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Great Britain with a visit to Stockport and Wolverhampton Ukrainian communities.
Speaking at a reception held in Stockport Ukrainian Centre, and at the banquet held in his honour at Wolverhampton Ukrainian Cultural Centre, His Beatitude talked of the importance of keeping faith and culture at the heart of Ukrainian life in the UK. By doing so, the Church will not only survive, but also prosper as its richness and strength lies within its faithful.