A commandment of Jesus to proclaim the Gospel to all nations sounds especially clear in the church of the Resurrection of Christ – the major cathedral to all faithful of the UGCC, emphasized bishop Bohdan Dziurakh, the Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in his homily to the faithful on occasion of the Pilgrimage to the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv.
“This cathedral, – he stressed, – is a symbol and sign of integrity not only for children of Ukrainian nation, scattered around the world, but also an integrity of our people and our Church with Christ’s Catholic Church… Even an infernal power of soviet regime 30 years ago was forced to acknowledge God’s supremacy, expressed in human’s inferiority of children of our Church and legalize this Church on the territory of already agonizing Soviet Union”.
“Today, – the Bishop said, – a resurrected Savior himself is calling, encouraging us, his disciples in XXI century over again to get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, namely to go beyond our small world, our “Galilee” which we got used to and where we, as a matter of fact, feel easy, safe, and, let’s face it, comfortable”, – said bishop Bohdan reminding a story by Evangelist Matthew, retelling how Jesus pushed the disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side (here from an ordinary Galilee to the pagan territory) in order to proclaim the Word of God”.
Precisely the location of our cathedral, bishop Bohdan assumes, on the left bank of Dnipro river shows us the route we have to go – the way of a missionary dynamism, apostolic endeavor, sincere sharing of faith with others. “After a long period of time, when our Church due to historical events was compelled to terminate its activity in Ukraine to Galicia, and on having come back to the capital wished to root, precisely, on the historical right bank, God as made us go to the left bank of Dnipro river in order to demonstrate vastnesses of our Motherland, where people are waiting for a live testimony of faith and God’s love”, the preacher mentioned.
No wonder that opponents soon were complaining, saying “uniats crossed not only Zbrutch but also Dnipro!” “Yes, we often move onward our own doubts, anxieties and fears but we do not constitute a threat to anyone (unless to the devil and its slaves!)
In return to our nation and all people of good will we wish to bear the light of God’s teaching, God’s truth and God’s love”. The Secretary of the Synod added that to realize this our mission successfully we, personally, must grow in faith endlessly. He called to learn to walk on water, go meet God, getting closer to Him, watching Him carefully, learning from Him, becoming more like Him in thoughts, words and deeds.
Since it is not enough to tick yourself a faithful one or even a Christian in social surveys. It is not enough to walk long processions once a year commemorating another anniversary of Baptism. “May this today’s arrival with this pilgrimage to the church, – the Bishop said, – be to us all the next step of drawing closer to God, staying amidst different life turbulences, tests and crises and feel His mighty saving grace”.
According to Decrees of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC 2013, a celebration of Commemoration of the consecration of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv is appointed to celebrate annually in August 18(5).
The UGCC Department for Information