tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70248831679099013242024-03-19T03:03:49.452+00:00Society of St John ChrysostomPresident, HE Archbishop Vincent of Westminster, Cardinal Nichols Patrons: HE Nikitas, Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, HG the Most Revd Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, His Excellency Kyr Kenneth Nowakowski.
Vice-President, Very Revd Archpriest John Salter
Chairman, Fr Mark WoodruffSociety of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.comBlogger2843125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-9029585622884836062021-09-17T20:27:00.010+01:002021-09-18T18:03:13.294+01:00Eparchy of the Holy Family and Society combine: Divine Liturgy at the London Eucharistic Octave<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="5vtd8-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the London Eucharistic Octave, the clergy and choir of the Cathedral of the Eparchy of London of the Holy Family for the Ukrainian Greek Catholics served the Divine Liturgy at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, Covent Garden, Mitred Archpriest </span><span class="diy96o5h" data-offset-key="5vtd8-1-0" end="204" spellcheck="false" start="185" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mykola Matwijiwskyj</span><span data-offset-key="5vtd8-2-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"> presiding, Andrij Bebko the reader, and Fr Mark Woodruff, Chairman of the Society of St John Chrysostom preaching. Also present were His Excellency Mgr Keith Newton of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, and Canon Christopher Thomas, General-Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of England & Wales. </span><span data-offset-key="er25t-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-text="true">The other clergy serving were Fr Gabriel Diaz, Fr </span></span><span class="diy96o5h" data-offset-key="er25t-1-0" end="570" spellcheck="false" start="557" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Andriy Malysh</span><span data-offset-key="er25t-2-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-text="true"> and Fr Andriy Chornenko.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span data-offset-key="er25t-2-0" style="background-color: white;"><span data-text="true" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcorpuschristimaidenlane%2Fvideos%2F933338830600612%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></span></span></span></p><p>The text of our Chairman's homily is here:</p><p><a href="https://inprioraextendensme.blogspot.com/2021/09/to-you-o-lord-direction-of-liturgy-in.html">In Priora Extendens Me: To You, O Lord: the Direction of the Liturgy in Christ - Homily at the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, London Eucharistic Octave, Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, Covent Garden, 16 September 2021</a></p><p>And here is a link to the beautiful photographs of the occasion.</p><p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcorpuschristimaidenlane%2Fposts%2F4231338570255356&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="841" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="afvac" data-offset-key="4u0sn-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4u0sn-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div></div>Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-40831850573644011732021-09-14T19:11:00.003+01:002021-09-14T19:11:30.850+01:00Reflection on St John Chrysostom on the anniversary of his death: Fr Mark Woodruff<p>Over the last year or so, the Society has gained a new friend. Alongside the amazing work of our close partners <a href="https://acnuk.org/" target="_blank">Aid to the Church in Need</a> in support the persecuted and rebuilding Church across the Christian East and indeed globally, another charity has begun to work in Great Britain, FACE - <a href="https://facecharity.org" target="_blank">Fellowship and Aid to the Christians of the East</a>. There is more than enough work to do to sustain and develop the Eastern Churches in this historical moment, and the two charities are complementary. FACE is the newly established and resourced UK operation of Oeuvre d'Orient, founded in the 19th century in Paris to raise awareness and promote study on behalf of the Catholic Eastern Churches and to assist with their development, both in their historic homelands and in their modern-day expansion across the world - much like our Society.</p><p>Fr Mark Woodruff, our Chairman, is acting as an adviser to FACE given the close relationship of its work with the Society's in different spheres. FACE has set up a monthly online prayer group for its work and in September, Fr Mark was asked to provide a reflection on the Society's patron, St John Chrysostom. St John died on 14th September, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In the Latin Church, he is venerated on the 13th September, and in the Byzantine Eastern Churches he is commemorated on November 13th.</p><p><a href="https://facecharity.org/resources/reflections/reflection-on-the-feast-of-st-john-chrysostom/" target="_blank">Here is the link</a> to the Reflection on the resources page of FACE. Below is Fr Mark's full text.</p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">READING - Ephesians 4.1-7, 11-13</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I, Paul, the prisoner in the
Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been
called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one
another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the
one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father
of all, Who is above all and through all and in all.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">But each of us was given grace
according to the measure of Christ’s gift. The gifts He gave were that some
would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for <a name="_Hlk82356982">building
up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of
the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full
stature of Christ</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">REFLECTION - by Father Mark
Woodruff, Chairman of the Society of St John Chrysostom</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">At first sight, St Paul’s address
to the new Christians of Ephesus on the western coast of what is now Turkey is
about our faith in the Persons of the Holy Trinity and the gifts with which our
baptism has equipped us to serve the building up of all humanity into the body
of Christ. So indeed it is. But look again, and St Paul is saying that this
first comes out of a lived experience of adversity (his imprisonment),
sacrifice of self (humility), endurance (patience, and bearing with others) and
redemption that take what is amiss and converts it permanently into good (love marked
by forgiveness, and God’s calling that makes good on hope), because the body
into which we are baptised is that of the Father’s Son nailed to the Cross,
which He endured to bring our salvation into effect.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">St John is a second St Paul. His
eloquence and spiritual imagination flow through abundant writings. 1687
letters and sermons reveal a lively mind, beautifully communicating from his
direct encounter with Christ, and faith distilled through adversity for His
sake. His preaching gained him the title ‘Chrysostomos’, the Golden Mouth, not
only because what he said warmed people’s hearts and convinced their belief and
discipleship, but because it rang true coming from John. What Paul said of
himself, is true of Chrysostom too: “In my flesh I am filling up what is
lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.”
How did this life take shape?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">He was born in the third city of
the eastern Roman empire, Antioch, in around 345. An outstanding literary,
philosophy and rhetoric scholar with a successful public career ahead of him, in
374 he chose instead to live for God in the severely ascetical life of monk. It
was not until 386 that he was ordained priest, when his exceptional oratorical
skills were revealed in the straightforward practicality, vivid imagery and convincing
moral appeal of his sermons, as well as the rich insight of his commentaries on
the Scriptures. Having brought about the reconciliation of the sees of Antioch
and Alexandria with old Rome after a loss of communion for seven decades, in
397 he was the outstanding candidate to be the new Archbishop of new Rome, the
capital of the Christian Roman Empire, Constantinople. The people of Antioch
did not wish to lose him, so to evade opposition to his election, he left in
secret to be consecrated away from the public eye.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Immediately, the consequence of
faithful preaching “in season and out of season” in Constantinople began. While
his inspiring illustrations of the Scriptures and his clear preaching, applying
Christ and faith to real life, endeared him to the people, he inevitably showed
up the lax lifestyles and the moral injustices of the rich and powerful. The
empress Eudoxia flattered herself that these barbs were aimed above all at her.
A synod was trumped up to depose him for supposed unorthodox teaching. Her
husband the emperor Arcadius then exiled him in 403 to Pontus on the Black Sea
coast. The people of Constantinople were in uproar. An earthquake frightened
Eudoxia to thinking it too was all about her. Promising amendment, she begged the
emperor for St John’s recall to appease God. Yet within months she would erect
a silver statue of herself outside the Great Church of Hagia Sophia. The Golden-Mouthed
John, whose triumphant return made his words more potent than ever, kept
speaking vividly about the contrast between the life in Christ shown in the
Scriptures and the moral shortcomings of those in power in a supposedly
Christian empire, this time singling out Eudoxia. The following June he was
banished inland, to the remote edge of the province of Cilicia. There were
riots in Constantinople, and the first Hagia Sophia was burned down. St John continued
to teach his people by letters. He was also able to correspond with Pope
Innocent I in old Rome, who sent a delegation to the emperor to convene a
Council to reinstate the patriarch of new Rome. Chrysostom’s powerful enemies,
however, convinced Arcadius that the archbishop had insulted the emperor by
contacting the pope, and now posed a threat. So in 407 St John was banished to
even more remote exile in Pityus, a port on the eastern edge of the Black Sea.
310 guards ensured no one prevented his removal once and for all. The journey
was harsh because of the terrain and the elements, some of the soldiers were
cruel, and Chrysostom, now about 60, was weak, not having enjoyed strong health
since the extreme ascesticism of his time as a hermit. He did not make it
beyond Cumana in Pontus, not far from where he had been exiled four years
earlier, and he died on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14<sup>th</sup>
September, saying, “Glory be to God in all things”.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Thus, like St Paul, a “prisoner
in the Lord,” by the public humiliation and the physical afflictions he endured,
he was indeed in his flesh “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions
for the sake of his body, that is, the Church”. Eudoxia and Arcadius failed to
silence him or put the Church in its place. Instead, his faithful confession of
Christ despite persecution, was “Christ’s gift” of an apostle and a teacher,
who “built … up the body of Christ” towards our even deeper “knowledge of the
Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">In the Orthodox Church St John
Chrysostom is revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with St Basil
the Great of Caesarea and St Gregory the Theologian of Nazianzus. In the Latin
Church they are venerated as three of the Greek Doctors of the Universal Church,
on account of their decisive and compelling teaching on Christ and the Trinity,
that remains formative of the faith and worship of the Church in East and West
to this day. Indeed the form of the Eucharist most often celebrated in the Eastern
Orthodox and the Greek Catholic Churches is the Divine Liturgy of St John
Chrysostom, believed to have been abbreviated under his influence for the
practical purpose of the greater engagement and spiritual enrichment of the
people.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">His feast in the West is kept on
the day before his death on the 13<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">th</span> September, and in the East it
is transferred two months later to 13<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">th</span> November. He is the patron
of the city of Constantinople where its Christians are today reduced to several
thousands, pressed on all sides by an almost entirely Turkish Muslim population
and government, yet determined, “with patience” like St Paul’s, to preserve the
living roots of Byzantine Christianity for 260 million Orthodox worldwide.
(Byzantium is the older name for the city of Constantinople). He is also the
patron of Christian educators, lecturers and preachers that “lead a life worthy
of the calling to which you have been called.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">PRAYER</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i>Troparion for November 13 in the
Byzantine Rite</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Grace shone forth from your mouth
like a fiery beacon and enlightened the universe, bestowing on the world not
the treasures of greed, but rather showing us the heights of humility. As you
teach us by your words, O John the Golden-Mouthed, our father, intercede with
the Word, Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i>Kontakion for November 13 in
the Byzantine Rite</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">From heaven you received divine
grace; your lips have taught us all to worship the Triune God, O blessed John
Chrysostom. It is fitting that we prause you, for you are a teacher, clarifying
all things Divine.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i>Collect for September 13 from
the Roman Missal</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">O God, strength of those who hope
in You, Who willed that the Bishop Saint John Chrysostom should be illustrious
by his wonderful eloquence and his experience of suffering: grant us, we pray,
that, instructed by his teachings, we may be strengthened by his invincible
patience. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt;"><br /></p><p></p>Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-83499827088436619322021-09-10T17:21:00.001+01:002021-09-10T17:21:25.022+01:00Divine Liturgy in English resumes<p>The monthly celebration of the Divine Liturgy in English at the Cathedral of the Holy Family of London, Duke Street, Mayfair (Bond Street tube station), resumes on Saturday 11th September at 4pm.</p><p>It will be preceded by the Ninth Hour in English, and followed at 5pm by Great Vespers in Ukrainian. All are most welcome.</p><p>Please continue to take precautions over distance and masks. Holy Communion is distributed in both kinds from the mixed and common Chalice, but with a separate Communion Spoon for each individual communicant.</p><p>It is intended that a WEEKLY Liturgy in English on SUNDAY morning, will begin again from October. The time is to be confirmed.</p>Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-46870473412380887612020-12-12T11:28:00.003+00:002021-09-10T17:14:08.109+01:00December 2020 Update<p>Owing to public health restrictions on events other than Divine Worship, it has not been possible for the Society to host meetings or conduct other activities. This includes our Annual General Meeting and our annual Lecture. Not has it been possible to put together the Chrysostom review and newsletter.</p><p>We hope everyone understands.</p><p>We trust we can issue delayed publications and resume events as soon as allowed and safe to do so in 2021. The monthly Divine Liturgy in English on the second Saturday of each month at 4 pm (preceded by Great Vespers at 3pm) will resume at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family, Duke Street, London (Bond Street tube) subject to public health regulations.</p><p>In 2020, we said a sad farewell to our Secretary, Antony Chirovsky, who has moved with his family to their new home in north America, from where he will continue his academic work. We are most grateful for his optimism, advice and encouragement, and wish him and his family well for the future. Thanks to the wonders of Zoom and online communication we know, however, we will remain in contact and continue to benefit from his contribution. Thank you, Antony! </p>Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-62255065787301799782020-08-10T20:05:00.001+01:002020-08-10T20:05:29.867+01:00Please help the Lebanese Parish in London to send help home for those suffering from the explosion in Beirut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsUsg9jPcqU99Gu-WQxxIVwYa6U6hzf7DJocj9S9Vn0BzBKOtIy0ns8fKkH1bmawc3NSbE0F5xFTuUlEg2FHiQJ71GHO4c8nw2NEuWjBO1E6mAdfVshq7NZmvxzrd8tb2P6jP87IROjo/s1600/Beirut+poster+%2528002%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1139" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsUsg9jPcqU99Gu-WQxxIVwYa6U6hzf7DJocj9S9Vn0BzBKOtIy0ns8fKkH1bmawc3NSbE0F5xFTuUlEg2FHiQJ71GHO4c8nw2NEuWjBO1E6mAdfVshq7NZmvxzrd8tb2P6jP87IROjo/s640/Beirut+poster+%2528002%2529.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/240845822761003/posts/1532228143622758/">https://www.facebook.com/240845822761003/posts/1532228143622758/</a></span>Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-53392484192429772292020-01-15T13:29:00.001+00:002020-01-15T13:35:53.779+00:00New Bishop for Ukrainians in Britain<div class="_1dwg _1w_m _q7o" data-vc-ignore-dynamic="1" style="padding: 12px 12px 0px;">
<div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_1" style="border-bottom-style: none; line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 6px; padding-bottom: 12px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2WFoUNL_byDurdw7Yyo1K3D4zXEIlA_Yt_4dPT25BMWAp5vvi3hTANHyPmdLrxTevZKomjeiGSQFpvXReb5eg7xLt_CXeGAoWXg3v1zSuTdX0rTl7sj-OEb2pE7yplFY_HATT45bUjnk/s1600/83257124_1633868090086329_8191626570578788352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="681" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2WFoUNL_byDurdw7Yyo1K3D4zXEIlA_Yt_4dPT25BMWAp5vvi3hTANHyPmdLrxTevZKomjeiGSQFpvXReb5eg7xLt_CXeGAoWXg3v1zSuTdX0rTl7sj-OEb2pE7yplFY_HATT45bUjnk/s400/83257124_1633868090086329_8191626570578788352_n.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;">Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, hitherto Eparch of New Westminster (Canada) is today appointed bishop of the Eparchy of the Holy Family of London for Ukrainian Greek-Catholics in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;">Kyr</span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;"> Kenneth has issued the following pastoral letter:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
To the Reverend Clergy, the Venerable Religious, and the Lay-Faithful of the Eparchy of the Holy Family of London</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;">For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-- that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.</i></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
(Romans 1:11-12)</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ!</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Today, the Holy Apostolic See of Rome and His Beatitude Sviаtoslav on behalf of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church have announced my appointment as the new bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London. Since July of 2007 I have been the Ukrainian Catholic Bishop of New Westminster, responsible for the territory of British Columbia and the Yukon in Canada. It has been a great privilege to serve as Bishop in New Westminster, and I will miss the Eparchy, my beloved-faithful and the clergy, my dearest brothers and co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Looking forward to being your bishop, I wanted to write you a short letter to express my deep joy and hope, as I prepare to meet with you, to pray with you, and to journey together with you as your Pastor, in Christian discipleship and fellowship. A wonderful program and promise can be found in the words of the Acts of the Apostles: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” (Acts 2:42-43).</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Some of you may know from my official biography that I was born in Canada and am the great-grandson of Ukrainian immigrants. But what is not mentioned in my official biography is that the first time I came to Great Britain was in 1974, when I was 16 years old. This was to be the first of many visits to the United Kingdom. I did not know the first Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain, Bishop Augustine Horniak, OSBM. However, I have had the good fortune to know and, in fact, be good friends with Bishop Mykhailo Kuchmiak, CSsR, of blessed memory, as well as with Bishops Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, and Hlib Lonchyna, Studite. Each of these dedicated men have blessed our Eparchy with their particular leadership charisms and spiritual gifts. I also wish to acknowledge the good work, dedication and generous spirit of service of Fr. Mykola Matviyivsky, appointed Apostolic Administrator by the Holy Father following Bishop Hlib’s resignation last year.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Over the last decade, I have attended many meetings in London, and was a frequent guest in the Bishop’s House. I have celebrated Divine Liturgies in the cathedral and am grateful to have been able to pray with so many of our clergy and faithful. However, I have not had an opportunity to visit the other parishes in the Eparchy. This is something that I will want to do as soon as possible. I look forward to encountering you where you live, to asking you about your hopes and concerns, to working and growing together with you on the path of salvation offered to us in Christ Jesus. As the Apostle Peter writes: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9).</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
My dear Sisters and Brothers, know that I am praying for you and already rejoice in you. I humbly ask for your prayers as I make my farewells in the Eparchy of New Westminster and begin the journey towards my new home and flock in the United Kingdom.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I am placing all of you under the protection of the Holy Family, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Most Holy Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, and the holy and righteous St. Joseph the Betrothed.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Your brother and servant in the Lord,<br />
+Kenneth Nowakowski</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 6px;">
15 January 2020<br />
<br />
For Bishop Kenneth's biography see <a href="http://nweparchy.ca/bishop-ken/" target="_blank">Eparchy of New Westminster</a></div>
</div>
<div class="_3x-2" data-ft="{"tn":"H"}" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px;">
<div data-ft="{"tn":"H"}" style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<form action="https://www.facebook.com/ajax/ufi/modify.php" class="commentable_item" data-ft="{"tn":"]"}" id="u_0_13" method="post" rel="async" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="_4299" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; color: #1c1e21; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; width: 500px;">
<div class="_5vsi" style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="_78bu" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_68wo" data-testid="fbFeedStoryUFI/feedbackSummary" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<div class="_3vum" style="align-items: center; border-bottom-color: rgb(218, 221, 225); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #606770; display: flex; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: -2px 12px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">
<div class="_66lg" style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-grow: 1; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;">
<span aria-label="See who reacted to this" class="_1n9r _66lh" role="toolbar" style="display: flex; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: -2px;"><span class="_1n9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-testid="UFI2TopReactions/tooltip_LIKE" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-left-radius: 12px; border-bottom-right-radius: 12px; border-top-left-radius: 12px; border-top-right-radius: 12px; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 0px -2px; outline: none; padding: 2px; position: relative; z-index: 3;" tabindex="-1"><a ajaxify="/ufi/reaction/profile/dialog/?ft_ent_identifier=ZmVlZGJhY2s6MjUxOTg4NjI1MTYxNzA1Ng%3D%3D&reaction_type=1&av=100000113509260" aria-label="6 Like" class="_1n9l" href="https://www.facebook.com/ufi/reaction/profile/browser/?ft_ent_identifier=ZmVlZGJhY2s6MjUxOTg4NjI1MTYxNzA1Ng%3D%3D&av=100000113509260" rel="dialog" role="button" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0"><i class="q9uorilb l9j0dhe7 hm271qws ov9facns khgy6jzf sp_nUm-Frhgfk0_2x sx_25391b" style="background-image: url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yx/r/Vl-SSS_KFyJ.png); background-position: -49px -1037px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 97px 1200px; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; width: 18px;"></i></a></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</form>
</div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Rev. Dr Athanasius D. McVay HED FRSA FRHistShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16087521538917592655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-68759283083415491752019-11-15T11:27:00.001+00:002019-11-15T11:27:03.886+00:00Newman on Jesus as Saviour: Christopher Morris Lecture 2019: 10 December 2019<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mgr Roderick Strange</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Professor in Theology, St Mary's University</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />“Newman on Jesus as Saviour: A Biographical and Patristic Sketch”<br /><br />at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family,<br />Duke Street (corner of Weighhouse Street), Mayfair, London W1K 5BQ<br /><br />(close to Bond St Underground on the Central or Jubilee Lines)<br /><br /><b>10th December, 7-30 pm</b><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preceded by Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy at 6-15 pm with blessing of a new Icon of St John Henry Newman by Ian Knowles</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Followed by a Reception</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />RSVP - </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="mailto:mailto:johnchrysostom@btinternet.com" target="_blank">johnchrysostom@btinternet.com</a></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">or</span></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/430329224260372/" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/events@SocietyofStJohnChrysostom</a></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-48326967986668104392019-10-15T16:44:00.001+01:002019-10-15T16:44:38.554+01:00Constantinople, Orthodoxy & Unity - Lecture, 1 November 2019 <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Inaugural Lecture as Orthodox Patron of the Society</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />“Constantinople, Orthodoxy and Unity”<br /><br />at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family,<br />Duke Street (corner of Weighhouse Street), Mayfair, London W1K 5BQ<br /><br />(close to Bond St Underground on the Central or Jubilee Lines)<br /><br /><b>1st November 2019, 7-30 pm</b><br /><br />Preceded by Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy at 6-15 pm and followed by a Reception<br /><br />Booking essential<span style="color: #000032;"> at:</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="mailto:mailto:johnchrysostom@btinternet.com" target="_blank">johnchrysostom@btinternet.com</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">or</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/430329224260372/" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/events@SocietyofStJohnChrysostom</a> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> </span><br /> Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-51396487162442939062019-09-13T12:36:00.000+01:002019-09-13T12:37:25.718+01:00Letter of Francis to Bartholomew: on bones of the Apostle Peter<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe4ratdR-uBISJXX_I_tqKwaEsIsXjoIXutzHtJz-DP70rvqatCdsoqxBK9v-6xrlAlrLlxxegiSs2BAFo7bcgyW0ZP9xOz_hi95vfL8_KC8WdfXKA7g4y8DsA-os2pAcuSJ6gA4UqvkK/s1600/bones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="569" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe4ratdR-uBISJXX_I_tqKwaEsIsXjoIXutzHtJz-DP70rvqatCdsoqxBK9v-6xrlAlrLlxxegiSs2BAFo7bcgyW0ZP9xOz_hi95vfL8_KC8WdfXKA7g4y8DsA-os2pAcuSJ6gA4UqvkK/s320/bones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>To His Holiness Bartholomew<br />Archbishop of Constantinople<br />Ecumenical Patriarch</i></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
Your Holiness, dear Brother,</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
With deep affection and spiritual closeness, I send you my cordial good wishes of grace and peace in the love of the Risen Lord. In these past weeks, I have often thought of writing to you to explain more fully the gift of some fragments of the relics of the Apostle Peter that I presented to Your Holiness through the distinguished delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate led by Archbishop Job of Telmessos which took part in the patronal feast of the Church of Rome.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
Your Holiness knows well that the uninterrupted tradition of the Roman Church has always testified that the Apostle Peter, after his martyrdom in the Circus of Nero, was buried in the adjoining necropolis of the Vatican Hill. His tomb quickly became a place of pilgrimage for the faithful from every part of the Christian world. Later, the Emperor Constantine erected the Vatican Basilica dedicated to Saint Peter over the site of the tomb of the Apostle.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
In June 1939, immediately following his election, my predecessor Pope Pius XII decided to undertake excavations beneath the Vatican Basilica. The works led first to the discovery of the exact burial place of the Apostle and later, in 1952, to the discovery, under the high altar of the Basilica, of a funerary niche attached to a red wall dated to the year 150 and covered with precious graffiti, including one of fundamental importance which reads, in Greek, Πετρος ευι. This contained bones that can quite reasonably be considered those of the Apostle Peter. From those relics, now enshrined in the necropolis under Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope Saint Paul VI had nine fragments removed for the private chapel of the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
The nine fragments were placed in a bronze case bearing the inscription, Ex ossibus quae in Archibasilicae Vaticanae hypogeo inventa Beati Petri apostoli esse putantur: “Bones found in the earth beneath the Vatican Basilica considered to be those of Blessed Peter the Apostle”. It was this same case, containing nine fragments of the bones of the Apostle, that I desired to present to Your Holiness and to the beloved Church of Constantinople over which you preside with such devotion.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
As I reflected on our mutual determination to advance together towards full communion, and thanked God for the progress already made since our venerable predecessors met in Jerusalem over fifty years ago, I thought of the gift that Patriarch Athenagoras gave to Pope Paul VI: an icon depicting the brothers Peter and Andrew embracing, united in faith and in love of their common Lord . This icon that, at the behest of Pope Paul VI, is displayed today in the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, has become for us a prophetic sign of the restoration of that visible communion between our Churches to which we aspire and for which we fervently pray and work. Hence, in the peace born of prayer, I sensed that it would be highly significant were some fragments of the relics of the Apostle Peter to be placed beside the relics of the Apostle Andrew , who is venerated as the heavenly patron of the Church of Constantinople.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3" style="color: #663300;"></a>I sensed that this thought came to me from the Holy Spirit, who in so many ways prompts Christians to regain that full communion for which our Lord Jesus Christ prayed on the eve of his glorious Passion (cf. Jn 17:21).</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
This gesture is intended to be a confirmation of the journey that our Churches have made in drawing closer to one another: a journey at times demanding and difficult, yet one accompanied by evident signs of God’s grace. Pursuing this journey calls above all for spiritual conversion and renewed fidelity to the Lord who requires on our part greater commitment and new, courageous steps. Difficulties and disagreements, now and in the future, must not distract us from our duty and responsibility as Christians, and particularly as Pastors of the Church, before God and history.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
The joining of the relics of the two brother Apostles can also serve as a constant reminder and encouragement that, on this continuing journey, our divergences will no longer stand in the way of our common witness and our evangelizing mission in the service of a human family that today is tempted to build a purely secular future, a future without God.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
Your Holiness, beloved Brother, I have found great comfort in sharing these thoughts with you. In the hope of soon encountering you once more, I ask you to pray for me and to bless me, and I exchange with Your Holiness a fraternal embrace of peace.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
From the Vatican, 30 August 2019</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Segoe, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-align: center;">
FRANCIS<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
source: <i><a href="http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2019/09/13/0693/01429.html?fbclid=IwAR3occch6_oQXdeAjG_uPJD9oWbhOegs7-E64GSRF1hQWM0ebjvm6B9tYfk" target="_blank">Vatican website</a></i></div>
</div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Rev. Dr Athanasius D. McVay HED FRSA FRHistShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16087521538917592655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-86352077772591343962019-09-04T10:53:00.005+01:002019-09-04T17:31:31.540+01:00Bishop Hlib Resigns as Ukrainian Eparch for UK<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBO9lpEgq71xwcbjXx1qlxtcMELeTEqIXdV6iqpLCB-3C_FebLw50xjRxUsqLWtQqar3sdzb4KH7Ttiq3usWJ9rTU56j_zZGzpclPOxw5uTb7CM9q4MczlXCf29zXuwMUdKZac78AVUwb0/s1600/hlib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBO9lpEgq71xwcbjXx1qlxtcMELeTEqIXdV6iqpLCB-3C_FebLw50xjRxUsqLWtQqar3sdzb4KH7Ttiq3usWJ9rTU56j_zZGzpclPOxw5uTb7CM9q4MczlXCf29zXuwMUdKZac78AVUwb0/s320/hlib.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyr Hlib serving in Rome on the day of his resignation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“The authority of a bishop is not the strength of his power, but the power of his willingness to serve.” </i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-weight: normal;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">– </i>Kyr Hlib (Lonchyna)</span></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">The Apostolic See announced on 1 September 2019 that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Hlib Lonchyna from the pastoral leadership of the Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of London. Following the announcement, Bishop Hlib summed up his years of service in Great Britain as well as his plans for the future.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">How would you summarise 10 years of ministry in Great Britain and Ireland? What has changed? What</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">has developed differently and what has remained the same? </span></b><b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">In 2009 I was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Exarchate of Great Britain, then the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church elected me Exarch. Later the Synod asked Pope Benedict to raise our two exarchates – of Great Britain and France</span><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">– </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">to the dignity of Eparchy (diocese). This happened in 2013. I see this as a great blessing for the organisational and pastoral development of the London Eparchy, which in these years has become dear to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">I envisioned my main task as being not in administration, but in pastoral care for our faithful in Great Britain, as well as in Ireland, where I have served as Apostolic Visitor since 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">In Great Britain there are two waves of migration: post-World War Two and contemporary; the latter predominantly being in search of employment. These are two diverse groups of people whom I strived to bring together and help them to integrate in the larger community so that they support one another and work together. My instruments have been quite simple: homilies, spiritual talks, confession, conferences, and just meeting people.</span><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">What is the Church like in this part of the world? Who attends our churches?</span></b><b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">The London Eparchy of the Holy Family covers all Great Britain, that is, the island that contains England, Wales, and Scotland. As I mentioned before, there are two waves of migration. The post-war emigration was numerous, counting around 30 thousand, and people settled across the entire island. Thus, our parishes were scattered throughout the whole of Great Britain – from Scotland in the north to England in the south. Our Church was organised quite nicely. Our people did not build their own churches as they had not the means. Instead they bought churches, mainly Anglican ones, and later adapted them to the needs of our rite. There were different cultural and educational organisations. This is the reality in the United Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">By the 1990s many people of the first migration had passed away. Unfortunately, their children and grand-children left the Church for various reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">In the last 70 years our parishes grew smaller. Then in the 1990s and 2000s people from Ukraine began arriving and filling up our churches. However, they usually settled in larger cities where there is employment, especially London. Our cathedral parish is comprised mainly of the new émigrés. In other cities there are not many new-comers, and you can see this reflected in our congregations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Today we have around 30 pastoral centres, 10 of which are full-fledged parishes, and the other 20 are missionary points where not many people attend Liturgy – which is not even celebrated every Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">How </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">does </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">this </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">new </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">wave </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">of </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">migration </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">affect </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">pastoral </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">work</span></b><b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">? </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">What challenges do bishops and priests face?</span></b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Pastoral work outside of Ukraine, where people do not live nearby as they had in the homeland, is very different. We see people mainly on Sundays, as they are scattered and constantly busy, because they have come here to seek employment. So, our pastoral work is limited to those few hours when the people are available. This requires of us more concentration – we need to fit our pastoral plan into that one Sunday. This is a challenge for priests who must focus on the needs of the people who come to them, serving them the best they can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">What is the reason for your decision to leave the ministry of eparchial bishop?</span></b><b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Last year our Synod of Ukrainian Bishops appointed me to spearhead a committee for the revision of liturgical texts and this year the Holy Father </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">entrusted me to be Apostolic Administrator of the Paris Eparchy of Saint Volodymyr, since Bishop Borys, the former Eparch, was transferred to the metropolitan see of Philadelphia. This gave me two huge responsibilities which were added on to my main obligations to the London Eparchy. I also have other commitments for which I must travel, mostly to Rome and to Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">For the last few months I have been striving to fulfil my obligations but concluded that I cannot do justice to all. My faithful in the Eparchy of London need stability and care. The bishop </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">sh</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">ould provide for the eparchy, visit parishes, be with the people 100%.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">For its own good the eparchy needs a bishop who will serve our people on both islands. Therefore I asked the Holy Father and he has graciously </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">released me from my duties towards the London Eparchy of the Holy Family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">What are your feelings as you depart? What are you going to miss? How will you uphold contact with the faithful for whom you were and remain a spiritual father?</span></b><b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">I </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">had</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">a good relationship with the priests and in every parish I found people who truly seek God and cherish the visits of their pastors. I will miss such direct contact with our faithful.</span><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">I </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">was </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">always glad to see how parishes and organisations collaborate to preserve what our parents have left us. This shows there is a healthy spirit amongst our faithful, which I support with gratitude.</span><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">I have spent 10 years in Great Britain. This is the longest I have ever been in pastoral ministry in one place and will miss the people with whom I have developed a spiritual bond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">How </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">do </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">you </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">envision </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">the </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">new </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">bishop </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">for </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">the eparchy</span></b><b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">?</span></b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">He must, first, be a man of prayer who will intercede for his priests, religious and faithful before God. He needs to be pastorally minded, open to people and sincerely desire to serve them. He should not fear challenges but be ready to offer his time and energies to interact with people, visit even the most distant parishes, support his priests and develop pastoral areas. The bishop should love his priests and be a father to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">The bishop should also cherish our rite and our traditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Of course, he must master the English language because the bishop is a member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and has regular meetings with the local bishops. We also maintain contacts with the Syro-Malabars, who are Eastern Christians from India. They too have an eparchy in England, as do we Ukrainians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Summing up, I would say we need spirituality, openness and hard work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">What </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">will </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">happen </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">to </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">the </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Paris </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Eparchy </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">where </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">you </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">are currently </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Apostolic </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Administrator</span></b><b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">?</span></b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">I shall be in that temporary position until our Synod chooses a new bishop and the Apostolic See assents to his election. In the Paris Eparchy I shall strive to upkeep and develop everything that Bishop Borys Gudziak has built up in the six years he was there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">But </span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">at </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the s</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">ame </span></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">time </span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">your </span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">episcopal </span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">ministry </span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">does </span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">not </span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">end</span></b><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">. </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Was</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"> form will it take from now on?</span></span></b><span lang="UK" style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">I have already occupied numerous roles as bishop in our Church, so a change is nothing new to me. I served in Italy, Spain, as curial bishop in Ukraine; as a priest I served in my Studite monastery, in St Nicholas Parish in Passaic, NJ, worked as attaché in the Apostolic Nunciature in Kyiv, was spiritual director at the Lviv Seminary and taught there, as well as at the Lviv Theological Academy and other institutes of higher learning. I have always looked at these forms of service as one whole in pastoral ministry. I am united to the end of my life to all these people whom I have served, encountered, worked with – I carry them all in my heart and in my prayers. Wherever I am in the world, they will always be dear to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Allow me a somewhat indiscreet question: what does episcopal authority mean and what does it mean to relinquish it voluntarily? The world, both contemporary and past, is just obsessed with power. Where do you find the strength to overcome this?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">The authority of a bishop is not the strength of his power, but the power of his willingness to serve. If I do not serve the faithful, then power will be useless – even if it is the greatest on earth. I do not relinquish an office to search for prestige or comfort, but wish the best for this eparchy. I have prayed and contemplated for quite some time on what would best serve my eparchy and my faithful. And I believe that after 10 years I should depart and allow others to take on this responsibility so the eparchy may grow and prosper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14pt;">Interview by Mariana Karapinka<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Rev. Dr Athanasius D. McVay HED FRSA FRHistShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16087521538917592655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-20467492491998954852019-08-07T21:04:00.001+01:002019-08-07T21:04:45.172+01:00A Visit to Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral in Brooklyn Heights, NYC<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Zldb8aLchA" width="560"></iframe><br />Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-17901347848665558452019-07-15T09:04:00.000+01:002019-07-15T09:04:32.241+01:00+John Zizioulas London Lecture: 17 August 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI-rQG7Kc4RSn2mz8Q20M6xYn4wUoMTswCEBN0qtV8mMoUXCqJJeIHqyDRGZH_5KHwrCZj5IUwqjiPRJoYIqNqU8PxEtfo0QrhSig5rHzWls43TkMMdFni1BsP-VbfrBqeICwS6LQzz0/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI-rQG7Kc4RSn2mz8Q20M6xYn4wUoMTswCEBN0qtV8mMoUXCqJJeIHqyDRGZH_5KHwrCZj5IUwqjiPRJoYIqNqU8PxEtfo0QrhSig5rHzWls43TkMMdFni1BsP-VbfrBqeICwS6LQzz0/s640/image1.jpeg" width="502" /></a></div>
<br />Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0Suffolk St, London SW1Y 4HG, UK51.5086112 -0.1307360000000699151.5079937 -0.13199650000006991 51.509228699999994 -0.12947550000006991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-57265627205576110182019-06-15T19:49:00.001+01:002019-06-15T19:49:46.617+01:00First Mass at Notre Dame since the Fire: the Solidarity of the Christians of the Middle East<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYvRgHEmDjO44_4ObfmMiPymugwAQ5Nl3EaMILM5iw3VItBH2x7WBxqmUT8uHGQHHgZbpMLH3SmMieOihCMxUnOTr-eS6Yhhd_wS-_2CbAh0UcqZRHftjic8FkhRl5S9lf3UJg2Mb374/s1600/Screenshot+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYvRgHEmDjO44_4ObfmMiPymugwAQ5Nl3EaMILM5iw3VItBH2x7WBxqmUT8uHGQHHgZbpMLH3SmMieOihCMxUnOTr-eS6Yhhd_wS-_2CbAh0UcqZRHftjic8FkhRl5S9lf3UJg2Mb374/s640/Screenshot+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Tonight at 6 o'clock in Paris, Mass was celebrated at Notre Dame on the feast of its Dedication, for the first time since fire devastated the roof and part of its vault was destroyed on the 15th April 2019. At the end of Mass, Monseigneur Pascal Gollnisch (left), director-general of Oeuvre d'Orient (a Catholic relief agency for Eastern Christians) presented the Archbishop of Paris, Monseigneur Michel Aupetit, with a Cross carved from the stone of the Maronite Catholic cathedral of St Elias in Aleppo in Syria, which had itself been badly damaged in the civil and religious strife between 2011 and 2016. The Cross will be installed in Notre Dame when it is restored. Thus there will always be a spiritual bond between the Church in France, and the Christians of all Churches who had been persecuted and had their homes and churches attacked and destroyed in hatred of the Faith in the Middle East. The Archbishop observed that, on the feast of Notre Dame's dedication, how appropriate it was that they were recalling the Stone once rejected Who became the chief Cornerstone.Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-88380174736798035392019-04-19T11:44:00.002+01:002019-04-19T11:56:32.422+01:00Today, we venerate Your Passion, O Christ: now give us Your glorious Resurrection<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/608299176&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
Today the Lord Who raised the dry land from the waters is raised upon the Cross. A crown of thorns is placed upon the head of the King of angels. He cloth the sky with clouds; now today He is clothed with a purple robe. In the Jordan He freed Adam; now today He is slapped in the face. The Bridegroom of the Church is fastened with nails; the Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear. We worship Your Passion, O Christ; we worship Your Passion, O Christ; we worship Your Passion, O Christ. Now let us behold Your glorious Resurrection.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Antiphon 15, sung by Fr Shafiq Abouzayd, Melkite parish of St John Chrysostom, London, at Procession of Cross, 18 April 2019</i></span><b></b><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-19223166358118473272019-03-11T10:18:00.002+00:002019-07-15T09:05:03.456+01:00UpdateThe delayed editions for Chrysostom for October 2018 and Theophany 2019 will be issued after Pascha, once work is completed on the Ecumenical Marian Pilgrimage to Walsingham, which is a biennial major focus of the Society. See www.ecumenicalmarianpilgrimage.org.uk<br />
<br />
We will also announce events for late summer and autumn (our annual Christopher Morris Lecture).Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-80850262004649770602019-02-14T10:02:00.001+00:002019-02-14T10:04:22.437+00:00The Face of God: Ian Knowles on Icons<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fq9GmzHZyxY" width="560"></iframe><br />Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-48542100529671548622018-10-31T12:09:00.000+00:002018-10-31T12:10:56.431+00:00Vespers with Catholic & Coptic Orthodox Archbishops<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">Catholic and Coptic Orthodox Archbishops to pray Vespers together<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">Press Release for immediate release 26.10.2018</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">At the kind invitation of Bishop Hlib Lonchyna the Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family, Mayfair, London, the first Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos will be present with Archbishop Kevin McDonald, Emeritus Archbishop of Southwark, at Vespers in the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on Tuesday 6 November 2018 at 6.15pm. The homily will be given by Archbishop Athanasius Toma Dawod, the leader of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the UK. The Vespers will be followed by a Reception.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7024883167909901324" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7024883167909901324" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">The rapprochement between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches is one of the most significant ecumenical developments of the last hundred years. The Popes of the Catholic Church and Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches have agreed joint statements that move beyond the doctrinal conflicts of the past, and they have been able to proclaim their Faith in Jesus Christ with a united voice and minister collaboratively, regardless of existing and continuing differences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">The joint celebration expresses a deep desire for unity at the grass roots of the Churches. The evening is one of the fruits of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Regional Forum of Great Britain which meets precisely to promote rapprochement and to establish ever greater collaboration between the Churches. All ecumenical endeavours are rooted and grounded in prayer, particularly in shared prayer. The kind invitation and hospitality of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London provides a beautiful place to come together for this evening prayer, which includes the heartfelt desire to make our own the prayer of Our Lord Jesus Christ that “they all may be one” (John 17:21).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">All who wish to attend this ecumenical event are very welcome, please RSVP by 31 October to Canon John O’Toole, Secretary Department for Dialogue and Unity, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales 020 7901 4811 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">john.otoole@cbcew.org.uk</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.cbcew.org.uk/CBCEW-Home/Departments/Dialogue-and-Unity" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">http://www.cbcew.org.uk/CBCEW-Home/Departments/Dialogue-and-Unity</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">Note to Editors<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">The Oriental Orthodox Church is a family of six self-governing Church bodies in the East and is the fourth largest communion of Christian Churches. The Oriental Orthodox Churches include: the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (Egypt), the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also called the Indian Orthodox Church) and the Syriac Orthodox Church. Each of these Churches is autonomous while maintaining communion with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">Each self-governing church in Oriental Orthodoxy has as its highest office a patriarchate. The patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria is also known as the Pope. Most of the 70 million members of the Oriental Orthodox Family of Churches live in Ethiopia, Egypt, Eritrea, Armenia, India, Syria, and Lebanon. Oriental Orthodox churches also exist in North America, Australia, Europe, and other parts of the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">The Oriental Orthodox family of Churches is separate from the Eastern Orthodox family of Churches. They recognise the first three ecumenical councils of Nicea, Constantinople, and Ephesus. They are known as ‘non-Chalcedonian’ or ‘miaphysite’ not monophysite. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">Archbishop Angaelos</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">is widely recognised for his extensive advocacy work, and as a result he was conferred the honour of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen for ‘Services to International Religious Freedom.’ Archbishop Angaelos has also been conferred the Lambeth Cross for Ecumenism by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Coventry Cross of Nails for Reconciliation. With a pastoral ministry spanning more than two decades, Archbishop Angaelos specialises in youth ministry and travels around the world to speak at youth conferences and conventions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">Archbishop Kevin McDonald</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">is the Catholic Emeritus Archbishop of Southwark. He </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">worked for eight years in</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">in Rome</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">on the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">and </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">is the Catholic Co-Chair of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Forum and Chair of the Committee for Catholic-Jewish relations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/ukrainianchurch/contact/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/ukrainianchurch/contact/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.copticorthodox.london/" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">http://www.copticorthodox.london/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">Photos:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/copticmedia/albums" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/copticmedia/albums</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicism/albums/72157688617102104" style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicism/albums/72157688617102104</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Rev. Dr Athanasius D. McVay HED FRSA FRHistShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16087521538917592655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-11130664377994025592018-10-25T11:57:00.001+01:002018-12-22T22:36:46.617+00:00Revival of the Society of St. John Chrysostom in 1959<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The following article appeared on page 5 of the 13 November 1959 edition of <i>The Catholic Herald</i>:</span><br />
<h1 style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Eastern Churches Society </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: inherit;">Forming Links of Charity</span></span></h1>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit;">A gesture of goodwill towards separated Christians was successfully made by London Catholics last Friday, when the recently revived Society of St. John Chrysostom invited Orthodox and Anglican clergymen to attend a lecture by Mr. Donald Attwater on " The Society of St. John Chrysostom and its Patron Saint ".</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<article style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fr. Kyril, a Russian Orthodox priest, was present, and wore cassock and pectoral cross. The Rev. C. E. Hampson, of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius, was the Anglican representative.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Fellowship, mainly an Anglican venture, is first in the field in this modern move to replace prejudice with charity among Christians in Britain.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>OBJECTS</b></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That the Society of St. John Chrysostom, a Catholic organisation having as one of its objects to get Catholics to know and love the Eastern Christian tradition, intends quickly to establish links of charity with other Christians was shown by the presence at the meeting of priests whose avowed aim this is. They included Mgr. J. M. T. Barton, Fr. Maluga, C.SS.R. Vicar General of the Ukrainians, Fr. C. Sipovich. M.I.C. superior of the Byzantine Rite Marian House, London, and Prebendary Pilkington of Westminster Cathedral. The late Dom Bede Winslow, O.S.B., a pioneer in this work. would have attended too, for he had been invited. The Society has arranged for a funeral service in the Byzantine rite to be celebrated for him on Friday. November 27. at 7 p.m., at the Saffron Hill Ukrainian Church, London.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mr. Attwater, the expert in Eastern Church matters, prefaced his remarks by complimenting the Ukrainians in choosing the second Archbishop of Canterbury. the Greek monk St. Theodore, as patron for their London church. "Cardinal Godfrey, the president of the society, and their Exarch, is his 67th successor," he said. "Theodore gave us the basic structure of the English Catholic Church." When questioners turned from the subject-matter of the lecture and began to comment on the prospects for unity, Fr. Sipovich wisely intervened to point out that the society exists to get Catholics to appreciate "the treasury of theology and devotion to be found in the East". Once this is done, and a bond of sympathy established. then we can go on and talk about unity.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tonight (Friday) the feast of St. John Chrysostom in the Eastern calendar, Fr. Maluga, Fr. Sipovich, and Fr. Alexander will concelebrate the Liturgy at seven o'clock in Marian House, to which all are invited.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: inherit;">source: <a href="http://archive-uat.catholicherald.co.uk/article/13th-november-1959/5/eastern-churches-society" target="_blank">Archive of </a></span><a href="http://archive-uat.catholicherald.co.uk/article/13th-november-1959/5/eastern-churches-society" target="_blank">The Catholic Herald</a><span style="font-style: inherit;"><a href="http://archive-uat.catholicherald.co.uk/article/13th-november-1959/5/eastern-churches-society" target="_blank"> (13 November 1959)</a>.</span></span></div>
</article>Rev. Dr Athanasius D. McVay HED FRSA FRHistShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16087521538917592655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-79732759345086244622018-09-07T19:30:00.001+01:002018-09-07T19:33:35.414+01:00Ecumenical Patriarch dispatches legates to Ukraine, in preparation for Autocephaly<br />
<div style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
The Chief Secretariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate announced on 7 September 2018 that within the framework of the preparations for the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has appointed as its Exarchs in Kiev His Excellency Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon from the United States, and His Grace Bishop Ilarion of Edmonton from Canada, both of whom are serving the Ukrainian Orthodox faithful in their respective countries under the Ecumenical Patriarchate.</div>
source: <a href="https://www.ecupatria.org/2018/09/07/ecumenical-patriarchate-sends-legates-to-ukraine/" target="_blank">The Ecumenical Patriarchate</a>.<br />
<br />Rev. Dr Athanasius D. McVay HED FRSA FRHistShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16087521538917592655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-87138500435853370992018-08-12T10:35:00.001+01:002018-08-12T10:35:37.518+01:00Arjakovsky: The recognition of the Church of Kiev by Constantinople will be a wise decision
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Professor Antoine Arjakovsky, Orthodox historian and author of “From Saint Petersburg to Moscow: Anatomy of the Russian Soul” (Salvator, 2018), writing for <a href="https://www.la-croix.com/Debats/Forum-et-debats/reconnaissance-lEglise-Kiev-Constantinople-decision-sage-2018-08-07-1200960401" target="_blank">La Croix (7.8.2018)</a> explains what is at stake with the possibly imminent acknowledgement
of <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>autocephaly for the Church of the
Patriarchate of Kiev.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Orthodox Christian Church, ever since she ceased to acknowledge
the primate of the Church of Rome, considers the Patriarch of Constantinople as
the “first among equals” of the fourteen Churches which recognise each other as
Orthodox.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This primacy of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, termed “Ecumenical”
since at least the 5th century A.D., has been challenged by the Church of Muscovy
from the 15<sup>th</sup> century onwards, when the Imperial City was subjugated
by Turkish invaders. At the end of the 16<sup>th</sup> century, the Patriarch
of Constantinople was forced by the Ottoman Turks to bring himself to recognise
the Moscow Church’s status of autocephaly, that is to say, its power to elect
its own primate without seeking Constantinople’s authorisation. Thus the Church
of Moscow came to bear the honour of the fifth place among the Churches of the East.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But the Ecumenical Patriarch refused to accept that the
jurisdictional authority of the Patriarchate of Moscow extended to include Ukraine.
Indeed the Church of Kiev, which received baptism in 988 as a result of the missionary
effort of the Byzantine Church, was still recognised, even after the conquest
of eastern Ukraine by the Czars at the end of the 17<sup>th</sup> century, as coming
under the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">de jure</i> authority of the Church
of Constantinople.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the basis on which the Patriarch of Constantinople
granted the status of autocephaly to the Polish Orthodox Church in 1924. Now
this Church contained within itself numerous Orthodox parishes that are situated in what is now western Ukraine. In 1994, following the same
logic, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople integrated the Ukrainian
Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada, which had self-proclaimed its
autocephaly in the era of Soviet persecution, into his own jurisdiction. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <i>Tomos</i> of Autocephaly
Likely to be Granted Soon</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the present day, Patriarch Bartholomew, whose headquarters
are in Istanbul but who is still called “of Constantinople” for the sake of the historical
legitimacy of his see, has gone one step further. In all likelihood, the Holy
Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople is going to grant the <i>Tomos</i> of
Autocephaly to the Church of the Patriarchate of Kiev.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This Church, led since 1992 by Patriarch Philaret
(Denysenko), has not so far been recognised by any Orthodox Church in the
world, because Moscow is categorically opposed to it. Indeed , ever since 1688 the
Patriarchate of Moscow has had a Ukrainian Orthodox Church of its own creation subject
to its direct jurisdiction.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nevertheless, since Ukrainian independence in 1991, the
great majority of Ukrainian Orthodox have chosen to follow this self-proclaimed
Church (with a good 15 million faithful, as opposed to the 10 million belonging
to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church coming under Moscow, even though the latter
counts a larger number of registered parishes), so as both to extricate themselves
from the control of Moscow and to worship in the Ukrainian language (and not in
Old Slavonic, the liturgical language used by the Patriarchate of Moscow in
Russia and Ukraine).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Re-establishing Historical Truth</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are three main reasons why Patriarch Bartholomew’s
decision is wise. First, contrary to the myth propagated in Russia, the
Byzantine Patriarch is re-establishing the historical truth in recalling that the
Church of Moscow, which only dates from 1588, is the daughter of the see of
Kiev and not the other way round.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The political consequences to this are well understood.
Clearly, if Moscow received its baptism subsequently to the conversion of
Prince Volodymyr a Chersonesus in Crimea in 988, it was mediated by the Church
of Kiev. The annexation of Crimea by Russia, against which Patriarch Kirill of Moscow
has made no protest, effectively amounts to the suppression of the Church of
Kiev’s identity, which is something that the Patriarch of Constantinople cannot
accept. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Secondly, Patriarch Bartholomew is granting recognition to
the maturity of the Orthodox Church of Kiev that it has been awaiting for at
least a century. Despite the marginalisation that it has been subjected to,
this Church has maintained a highly dynamic ecclesial life. In particular it is
in constant dialogue with Ukraine’s Catholic and Protestant Churches.
Meanwhile, the Patriarchate of Moscow in Ukraine, to judge by the Pochaiv monastery
in Volhynia, is renowned for its highly intransigent attitude towards “western
heretics”.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, Constantinople, after the snub of the Russian
Church’s no-show at the Pan-Orthodox Council at Kolymbari in Crete in 2016, is
reasserting its leadership <i>vis-<span style="margin: 0px;">à-</span>vis</i> Moscow, reminding it that
throughout history and to the present day it has always been Constantinople that
granted the status of autocephaly to
local Churches (for example the Church of Serbia, or that of Romania).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Breach of Communion
between Moscow and Constantinople Probable</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It seems obvious, in the light of declarations from the
Russian Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), but also from the strenuous efforts of
the Kremlin on this front (leading to the recent expulsion of two Russian
diplomats by Greece and a meeting between President Putin and Patriarch Kirill
on 11th July right in the middle of the football World Cup), that Constantinople’s
decision is going to provoke a breach of communion between Moscow and
Constantinople.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is also going mean that each Orthodox Church (and the
Catholic, Protestant and Anglican Churches too) will have to choose sides.
There is every chance that Constantinople’s decision could be received
favourably by the majority. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is also
certain that in Ukraine it will lead to many of the Orthodox faithful, who were
once hesitant to belong to a non-canonical Church, turning to the
Patriarchate of Kiev.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Doubtless, too, President Poroshenko, who is heavily
invested in all this, and who carries with him the support of the great
majority of deputies in the Rada, will benefit from a big popularity boost. But
this schism, a further injury in relations between Russia and the rest of the
world, will need to be treated. For this to happen, it will be necessary to
move beyond a narrowly political and confessional logic to a vision that is ecumenical
and oriented towards the common good.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-49596716944914126762018-08-05T19:47:00.000+01:002018-08-12T10:19:45.200+01:00A Millennial Problem: 1,030 years after the Baptism of Rus’, the Vatican is turning its back on Ukrainian Catholics<i>Pragmatism towards Russian Orthodoxy is beginning to look like appeasement, <a href="http://catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2018/07/28/1030-years-after-the-baptism-of-rus-the-vatican-is-turning-its-back-on-ukrainian-catholics/" target="_blank">says Fr Raymond J de Souza in the Catholic Herald</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Is Pope Francis, like Donald Trump, guilty of abject capitulation to Russia’s Vladimir Putin? That question was raised by one of the most respected Vatican commentators, John Allen, bringing to greater prominence a criticism often made behind closed doors.<br />
<br />
“As with Trump, albeit in a very different key, the question that appears destined to plague Francis going forward is how much is too much – when flexibility and pragmatism, in other words, turn into craven placation?” Allen wrote. “So far, the verdict would appear to be that for both men, the answer remains a work in progress.”<br />
<br />
Allen recounts how, since the first months of his pontificate, Pope Francis has proved an ally of Putin in Syria, where Russia has now re-established its Middle East presence in an alliance with President Bashar al-Assad. And since 2014, Pope Francis has been muted in his criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, repeatedly disappointing members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC).<br />
<br />
I noted here last month (in our June 15 issue) that, in a meeting with a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church in May, Pope Francis appeared to take the Russian side in all matters Ukrainian. That was noticed, apparently, in Kiev, for on July 3 there was a private audience granted to Major-Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the UGCC, by the Holy Father, ostensibly to honour the 1,030th anniversary of the baptism of Kievan Rus’ in 988.<br />
<br />
The UGCC statement pointedly noted that the meeting had been requested by Major-Archbishop Shevchuk. Indeed, the lengthy statement by the UGCC after the meeting systematically refuted all the points made by Pope Francis in his meeting with the Russian Orthodox.<br />
<br />
All of which is remarkable in 2018, which marks 30 years since the millennium of the baptism of the eastern Slavs in 988. In 1988, with the Cold War still on, Gorbachev’s Soviet Union was prepared to recognise the baptism of Kievan Rus’, the kingdom out which Russia, Belarus and Ukraine would eventually emerge.<br />
<br />
In 1988, all were still part of the Soviet Union, and the Russian Orthodox Church claimed for itself the exclusive inheritance of the baptism of 988. Indeed, for the Russian Orthodox, the UGCC should not even exist, and the Soviet Union was right to crush it.<br />
<br />
John Paul, though, insisted that the Greek Catholics of the Ukraine – still suppressed and illegal at that time – participate in the millennium celebrations, as heirs to the baptism of Kievan Rus’. He published two apostolic letters to that effect in the spring of 1988, and celebrated Mass with the UGCC hierarchy in Rome in July 1988.<br />
<br />
John Paul was making an argument in 1988 that the millennium belonged to more than just Moscow. Vladimir the Great ruled from Kiev – there was no Moscow at the time. He chose to be baptised in the Byzantine tradition of Christianity – this was before the split with what would become Orthodoxy – in Crimea.<br />
<br />
That is why, when Putin speaks about Crimea, he partially justifies Russia’s annexation of it by noting that the baptism of Vladimir took place there, making it a place of Russian heritage.<br />
<br />
John Paul and the Ukrainian Catholics saw it differently. The baptism of Russia in 988 was a baptism into a Byzantine Christianity in full communion with Rome, and took place in Ukraine’s capital. Today, who are the Ukrainians of Byzantine tradition who are in full communion with Rome? The UGCC.<br />
<br />
“The gift of the Christian faith has been passed down as our greatest treasure,” said Major-Archbishop Shevchuk on July 15. “Today we thank God that it was the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church who was privileged to be a successor to Prince Vladimir and his holy baptism.”<br />
<br />
In 1988, both the UGCC and the Vatican were making the same argument. In 2018, Major-Archbishop Shevchuk is repeating the argument independent of Rome, or even in contradiction to it.<br />
<br />
The political tension between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict between the Ukrainian Orthodox and the Russia Orthodox are all rooted in the history of 988. Over the millennium the gravitational centre of Orthodoxy and political power in the Slavic world shifted east from Kiev to Moscow. Today, Russia – both Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church – argue that this should mean a Ukraine that takes its lead, politically and religiously, from Moscow. Ukrainians disagree, feeling that Ukraine ought to move away from Moscow’s dominance, re-staking its own claim to the inheritance of 988.<br />
<br />
July 28 is the date marking the baptism of Vladimir and the eastern Slavs. Thirty years ago, the Polish Pope made the relevant claims on behalf of the Ukrainian Catholics, for the millennium was not only about the past but also the present. Today, Major-Archbishop Shevchuk does the same in Kiev. But the Holy See appears to have forgotten the position it took in 1988.<br />
<br />
<i>Fr Raymond J de Souza is a priest of the Archdiocese of Kingston, Ontario, and editor-in-chief of <a href="https://convivium.ca/">convivium.ca</a></i><br />
<br />
This article first appeared in the July 27 2018 issue of the Catholic Herald. Please visit the Catholic Herald website <a href="http://catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2018/07/28/1030-years-after-the-baptism-of-rus-the-vatican-is-turning-its-back-on-ukrainian-catholics/">to see it there</a> and, to read the magazine in full from anywhere in the world, go <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/">here.</a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Society of St John Chrysostomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586289276163842661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-67603223634900944122018-06-25T09:07:00.002+01:002018-06-25T09:16:18.891+01:00Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral Celebrates 50 YearsOn Saturday, 23 June 2018, the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Westminster celebrated 50 years since its solemn opening. The hierarchical Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Kyr Hlib (Lonchyna), Bishop of the Eparchy of the Holy Family Family of London, concelebrated by Ukrainian and Roman Catholic priests. The responses to the Liturgy were sung by the Cathedral Choir "Promin Nadii" (Ray of Hope). Among the numerous faithful, some of the oldest parishioners had been present at the blessing and opening of the Cathedral on 29 and 30 June 1968.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nilHkOQS3lHg-24R9cyVSjQl3okW-Q7BbrZRRZwxrCVmOQozicCVJGMklnS5jIktUJiHJExaeQLTHVDpC0fR3EtTEbxWmzNY7G1e1tXnrU9qKqnEQsazisnV_oqGmr6yArEbx1AnAcZd/s1600/Holy+Family+50th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nilHkOQS3lHg-24R9cyVSjQl3okW-Q7BbrZRRZwxrCVmOQozicCVJGMklnS5jIktUJiHJExaeQLTHVDpC0fR3EtTEbxWmzNY7G1e1tXnrU9qKqnEQsazisnV_oqGmr6yArEbx1AnAcZd/s400/Holy+Family+50th.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
For the history that led up to this event, see:<br />
<a href="https://annalesecclesiaeucrainae.blogspot.com/2018/06/in-exile-no-longer-holy-family.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">"In Exile No Longer": Holy Family Cathedral Celebrates 50 years. </span></a><br />
<br />Rev. Dr Athanasius D. McVay HED FRSA FRHistShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16087521538917592655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-71573384683481411132018-05-20T13:13:00.000+01:002018-08-05T19:37:33.655+01:00Ecumenical Marian Pilgrimage Trust: 19-22 March 2019Bookings are now open:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/walsingham-ecumenical-marian-pilgrimage-tickets-45795098372?aff=es2">https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/walsingham-ecumenical-marian-pilgrimage-tickets-45795098372?aff=es2</a><br />
<br />
Speakers so far: Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, Archbishop Edward Adams (Apostolic Nuncio), Dr Sarah Jane Boss, Dr Margaret Barker, Revd Dr Gareth Powell, Prebendary Norman Wallwork<br />
<br />
More details and alternative booking at <a href="http://www.ecumenicalmarianpilgrimage.org.uk/">www.ecumenicalmarianpilgrimage.org.uk</a>Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-15511964971308277852018-05-14T07:30:00.000+01:002018-05-14T07:30:10.688+01:00Murphy Donohue Chair of Eastern Catholic Theology - Professor Anthony O'MahonyOur greatly admired and valued Committee Member, Anthony O'Mahony, director of the Centre of Eastern Christianity at Heythrop College, University of London, has been appointed to the Sir Daniel and Countess Bernardine Murphy Donohue Chair of Eastern Catholic Theology at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome for 2018.<br />
<br />
The closure of the Centre for Eastern Christianity with the demise of Heythrop is much to be mourned. Founded in 2010, it became a remarkable place of encounter between the Eastern Churches and Christians in the UK, in London as a world city, in an historic Catholic higher education institution, with the spheres of academic study, Church life and leadership, and the broader context of civil society, politics and diplomacy. Through the Centre, Anthony has brought people together from across the globe and given them a voice, or a channel that otherwise they would not have had, to be heard and understood not only in Church and academic settings but in places of influence and policy too. To the leaders of Christians whose ancient Churches have been and remain under severe threat across the Middle East (where a century ago they constituted as much as 25% of the population, now reduced to under 5%) the Centre led by Anthony has been a beacon of hope and encouragement.<br />
<br />
The Centre has provided access to research in the Christian East's history, life, religion and present situation for a numerous and impressive community of new scholarship, at its peak the largest body of research students in a single discipline in Heythrop's recent history. It has thus drawn in a larger network of people in the wider Church, both Eastern Catholics and Orthodox now present and settled in the UK, and also interested and concerned clergy and people from the western Churches. The regular series of open courses, lectures, events and research showcases have been a remarkable example of the mutual engagement, support and animation, both intellectual and pastoral, that properly exists between Church and Academy. The Society is recognises the immense value the Centre for Eastern Christianity has brought, since its aims are very close to those for which the Society was founded in 1927. It is also proud to have played a small part to support the initiative over the last eight years, and hopes to continue to do so as the work takes on new forms and opportunities. <br />
<br />
It is a magnificent, and richly deserved, tribute that in the Centre's concluding term at Heythrop, the value and importance of the accumulated work and knowledge of its founder and director have been internationally recognised by the award of this prestigious Chair (previous Donohue Professors have included Metropolitan Kallistos and Archbishop Rowan Williams). The Chair also signifies the esteem in which the work, as its life at a Catholic university college in England ends, is held by the Universal Church at the principal Catholic institute for the study of Eastern Christianity in the service of the Bishop of Rome.<br />
<br />
Professor O'Mahony's inaugural lecture was given on the 11th May 2018, and it can be viewed here, at the POI's YouTube channel:<br />
<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBpzbTe_eEo<br />
<br />
Professor, Axios!Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024883167909901324.post-46972340066134373642018-04-15T08:57:00.000+01:002018-04-15T08:57:02.959+01:00Joint Statement of the Patriarchs of the Patriarchate of Antioch on the US-UK-France Attacks on Syria<div>
God is with us; Understand all ye nations and submit yourselves!<br /><br />We, the Patriarchs: John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and Joseph Absi, Melkite-Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem, condemn and denounce the brutal aggression that took place this morning against our precious country Syria by the USA, France and the UK, under the allegations that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons. We raise our voices to affirm the following:<br /><br />This brutal aggression is a clear violation of the international laws and the UN Charter, because it is an unjustified assault on a sovereign country, member of the UN. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It causes us great pain that this assault comes from powerful countries to which Syria did not cause any harm in any way. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The allegations of the USA and other countries that the Syrian army is using chemical weapons and that Syria is a country that owns and uses this kind of weapon, is a claim that is unjustified and unsupported by sufficient and clear evidence. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The timing of this unjustified aggression against Syria, when the independent International Commission for Inquiry was about to start its work in Syria, undermines of the work of this commission. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This brutal aggression destroys the chances for a peaceful political solution and leads to escalation and more complications. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This unjust aggression encourages the terrorist organizations and gives them momentum to continue in their terrorism. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We call upon the Security Council of the United Nations to play its natural role in bringing peace rather than contribute to escalation of wars. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We call upon all churches in the countries that participated in the aggression, to fulfill their Christian duties, according to the teachings of the Gospel, and condemn this aggression and to call their governments to commit to the protection of international peace. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We salute the courage, heroism and sacrifices of the Syrian Arab Army which courageously protects Syria and provide security for its people. We pray for the souls of the martyrs and the recovery of the wounded. We are confident that the army will not bow before the external or internal terrorist aggressions; they will continue to fight courageously against terrorism until every inch of the Syrian land is cleansed from terrorism. We, likewise, commend the brave stand of countries which are friendly to the Syria and its people. <br /><br />We offer our prayers for the safety, victory, and deliverance of Syria from all kinds of wars and terrorism. We also pray for peace in Syria and throughout the world, and call for strengthening the efforts of the national reconciliation for the sake of protecting the country and preserving the dignity of all Syrians.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>April 14th, 2018</i></div>
<div>
<b><i></i><br /></b></div>
http://syriacpatriarchate.org/2018/04/a-statement-issued-by-the-patriarchates-of-antioch-and-all-the-east-for-the-greek-orthodox-syrian-orthodox-and-greek-melkite-catholic/<br />
<br />Mark Woodruffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625552975907817257noreply@blogger.com0