HOLY NAME SOCIETY RETREAT
From Friday, August 27 to Sunday, August 29 Bishop Paul Chomnycky led the Holy Name Society of St. Josaphat Parish in Rochester, NY in their annual retreat. The retreat was held in Notre Dame Retreat House overlooking beautiful Lake Canandaigua, NY. The theme was "The Sermon on the Mount: A Heart-to-Heart Talk with Jesus".
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DEACON MYRON KOTCH (1937-2010)
On August 19, 2010 Rev. Dc. Myron Kotch passed away in Syracuse, NY at the age of 73 years. Dc. Myron was born in Ukraine and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1949. He graduated from St. Basil College Seminary in 1958 with a BA in Philosophy. Deacon Myron enjoyed a long and distinguished teaching career. On October 23, 1982 he was ordained to the deaconate by Bishop Basil Losten. For 28 years Deacon Myron faithfully served St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Syracuse. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joyce, three daughters and sons-in-law and 10 grandchildren. May his memory be eternal! Вічна йому пам'ять!
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VASILE POPOVICI - ST. BASIL'S GRAD!
On Wednesday, August 25, St. Basil's Procurator and seminarian Vasile Popovici officially received his Bachelor of Arts in Philisophy Diploma after successfully completing his studies in St. Basil College. In the photo above Vasile is pictured in St. Basil Seminary Chapel with Bishop Paul Chomnycky, St. Basil Rector Fr. Bohdan, Danylo, Academic Dean Fr. Ivan Kaszczak, wife Nataliya and St. Basil's staff.
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AUGUST 24, 2010 - 19th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE
“The Christian is called to love everyone. However this should not prevent him from loving first and foremost his family and native land. The Christian can and should be a sincere patriot! But his patriotism must not be deformed by hatred! And it must not place obligations upon him that oppose his faith. The Christian who works for the good of his nation, conscientiously fulfilling his duties according to his state of life, is a better patriot than one who talks much but acts little. Therefore, love your nation, cling to what is yours, and care for your own.”
- Metropolitan Andrei Sheptycky; Letter to the Faithful of Stanislaviv Eparchy, 1899
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56th ANNUAL DORMITION PILGRIMAGE AT SLOATSBURG
Over the course of three days - August 13 to 15 - thousands of faithful from all over the Tri-state area and beyond flocked to the 'holy mountain' of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Sloatsburg, NY to take part in the annual Dormition Pilgrimage. This year's pilgrimage marked the culmination of the year-long jubilee of the SSMI's in the United States: the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the first Sisters Servants to this country from Canada, and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of an independant American Province. An honoured guest at this year's pilgrimage was the Superior General of the Sisters Servants, Sr. Janice Soluk, who travelled from Rome to be with the Sisters and pilgrims.
During the pilgrimage a new chapel of Blessed Josaphat Hordashevska, located near St. Mary Villa, was blessed. The chapel and icon of Blessed Josaphata within it are the work of the noted iconographer, Sviatoslav Makarenko.
Inside the newly-blessed chapel dedicated to Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska are, from left to right: Sr. Michele Yakymovitch SSMI (Provincial Superior), Fr. Philip Sandrick OSBM (Provincial Superior), Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Sr. Janice Soluk SSMI (General Superior), Fr. Bohdan Danylo (Pilgrimage Chaplain)
Sr. Thomas Hrynewich SSMI delivering a talk entitled: "Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow"
Bishop Paul, Very Rev. Fr. Philip Weiner and Fr. Roman Badiak with parishioners of St. Michael Parish in Yonkers, NY
Bishop-emeritus Basil Losten and Subdeacon Peter Shyshka, Principal of St. George Academy in New York City enjoying the pilgrimage
Bishop William Skurla of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic, NJ flanked by Metropolitan Stefan Soroka and Bishop Paul Chomnycky before the celebration of an evening Moleben to the Mother of God
The copy of the Shroud of Turin, which is venerated in Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Philadelphia, was brought to St. Mary's Villa for the pilgrimage. A steady flow of pilgrims venerated the Shroud during its stay in Sloatsburg. Above, Sr. Tharasia Hladio SSMI pauses in prayer before the Shroud.
The Plashchanytsia of the Dormition of the Mother of God being carried in procession
Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Bishop Basil Losten and clergy celebrating the Pontifical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Dormition
Hundreds of faithful received Holy Communion at the culmination of the Pontifical Divine Liturgy
Bishop Paul Chomnycky, as is traditional on the Feast of the Dormition, blesses flowers following the Divine Liturgy. To see many more photos of the pilgrimage, visit the webpage of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate: www.ssmi-us.org
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ANNUAL CHICKEN BARBEQUE IN RIVERHEAD
On Sunday, August 8 Bishop Paul attended the annual chicken barbeque sponsored by St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Riverhead, NY. Over 750 parishioners, friends and neighbours gathered on the parish property under a hot summer sun to enjoy the food, fellowship, refreshments and entertainment.
The pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Fr. Vasyl Kornitsky inviting Bishop Paul to bless the picnic
A perfect day for a picnic
Sr. Teklya SSMI getting to know some of the youngest picnickers
Some of the many people enjoying the afternoon
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SISTER SOZONTA - A SISTER SERVANT 85 YEARS!
On Saturday, August 7 a very special jubilee celebation was held in St. Mary's Villa in Sloatsburg, NY commemorating Sr. Sozonta Iskiw's 85th anniversary as a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate. A Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Metropolitan Stefan Soroka of Philadelphia and Bishop Paul Chomnycky in St. Mary's Chapel followed by a jubilee banquet. Sr. Sozonta was born in Innisfree, Alberta in 1911 and entered the novitiate of the Sisters Servants in Mundare, AB in 1925. She came to the United States in 1937 where her first assignment was teaching catechism in the Ukrainian Catholic parish in Minneapolis MN. At the age of 99 years, Sr. Sozonta has the double distinction of being the oldest living Sister Servant in the entire Congregation as well as the Sister who has lived the most years in community. In the photo above Sr. Sozonta is seated while standing around her from left to right are: Fr. Ewhen Moniuk, Sr. Terri Ann Slota (Provincial of the Canadian Province of the SSMI from Toronto), Sr. Janice Soluk (Superior General of the SSMI from Rome), Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, Sr. Michele Yakymovitch (Provincial of the American Province of the SSMI), Mr. Carl Wright (Mayor of the Town of Sloatsburg, NY) In commemoration of Sr. Sozonta's jubilee, Mr. Wright officially proclaimed August 7, 2010 as Sr. Sozonta Iskiw Day in Sloatsburg.
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SUMMERTIME AT ST. BASIL'S
Summer may be vacation time for some, but not for the Procurator of St. Basil Seminary, Vasile Popovici and his dedicated helpers. The nine acres of land, five large buildings and numerous smaller residences that make up St. Basil's complex provide lots of opportunity for work including lawn cutting, tree pruning, painting, renovating and all sorts of repairs and maintenance. This summer's main project at St. Basil's was the repainting of St. Basil Seminary Chapel. Helping Vasile were Deacon Vasyl Behay, Fr. Vasyl Kadylo and seminarian, Taras Chaparin.
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INTENSIVE UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE COURSE
Participants of the Intensive Ukrainian Language course which was held in St. Basil Seminary in Stamford from July 10 - 17
Participants being introduced to the beauty and intricacy of Ukrainian grammar!
Instructors Anna Boychuk, Lubov Wolynetz and Natalya Popovici kept their students enthused and busy with lessons in conversational Ukrainian, Ukrainian grammar, and Ukrainian songs and literature
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BASILIAN NUNS CELEBRATE BISHOP PAUL'S NAMESDAY
On Monday, July 5 Bishop Paul celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the chapel of the monastery of the Contemplative nuns of St. Basil the Great in Middletwon, NY following which they greeted him on the occasion of his Namesday.
Contemplative Basilian nuns at prayer in the chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Monastery, Middletown, NY. The contemplative branch of the Basilian nuns was formed in 1958 with the goal of fostering the early monastic Basilian tradition in which all the Hours of the Divine Praises would be celebrated daily, and in which each monastic would grow personally in the contemplation of Divine Things, with the help of sacred studies in Holy Scripture and the Fathers of the Church. For more information about the life of the contemplative Basilian nuns visit their webpage at www.basiliannuns.org.ar
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BISHOP PAUL ATTENDS PERMANENT SYNOD
From Friday, June 25 to Tuesday, June 29 Bishop Paul attended the latest meeting of the Pernament Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. The meeting, the last to be held before the regular annual Synod in September, was hosted by Bishop Josaphat Hovera, Exarch of Lutsk and held in the residence of the Basilian Fathers. In the photo above, Bishop Vasyl Semeniuk, Eparch of Ternopil, stands in front of the Basilian residence and church, still under construction.
Members of the Permanent Synod meeting with priests of the Lutsk Exarchate. From left to right: Bishop David Motiuk (Edmonton), Archbishop Ihor Wozniak (L'viv), Bishop Josaphat Hovera (Lutsk), His Beatitude Patriarch Lubomyr, Bishop Vasyl Semeniuk (Ternopil), Bishop Paul Chomnycky (Stamford)
Priests of the Exarchate of Lutsk meeting with His Beatitude Lubomyr and members of the Pernament Synod
The youth and laity of the Exarchate of Lutsk also had the occasion to meet with His Beatitude Lubomyr and the members of the Pernanent Synod. Here they fill St. Basil Church for this rare opportunity
On Sunday, June 27 Bishop Paul celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the city of Volydymyr-Volynsk, the birthplace of St. Josaphat for the faithful of St. Josaphat Parish, administered by the Basilian Fathers. In the photo above, children of the parish greet Bishop Paul at the entrance to the church.
Bishop Paul along with the pastor, Fr. Terentius Dovhanyuk OSBM, and the faithful at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy
Bishop Paul being interviewed by a journalist of the local newspaper of Volydymyr-Volynsk
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BISHOP PAUL VISITS UKRAINE
From June 23 to July 2 Bishop Paul visited Ukraine to attend the latest meeting of the Permanent Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. On the evening of June 23 Bishop Paul had the opportunity of celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the newly-consecrated Church of Blessed Martyr Oleksij Zarytskyj in L'viv. The newly-established parish serves mainly the students of the nearby universities and educational institutions. In the above photo Bishop Paul is welcomed into the church by the parish administrator.
In his sermon to the gathered faithful, Bishop Paul underlined several outstanding virtues in the life of Blessed Oleksij Zarytskyj, who was one of the group of contemporary Ukrainian Catholic martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II during his apostolic visit to Ukraine in 2001. Blessed Oleksij was a priest in the village of Strutyn near Zolochiv when he was exiled to the labour camps of Siberia for refusing to convert to Orthodoxy. After his rehabilitation he continued to serve the faithful clandestinely for which he was again imprisoned. He died a martyr for the faith in a labour camp in Karaganda in 1963.
"Take, eat. This is my body.....Drink of it, all of you. This is my blood..."
Bishop Paul along with Bishop David Motiuk of the Eparchy of Edmonton (Canada), priests and faithful in front of Blessed Oleksij Zarytskyj Parish following the completion of the Divine Liturgy
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40th PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY SPIRIT CEMETERY
On Sunday, June 13 the 40th Annual Eparchial Pilgrimage to Holy Spirit Cemetery was held. A Divine Liturgy was celebrated at 10:00 am in St. Andrew, the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Church located on the grounds of the cemetery. Pastor and Cemetery Director, Rev. Yaroslav Kostyk and newly-ordained Rev. Roman Badiak concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Paul Chomnycky. (photo above) Faithful from every corner of the eparchy and beyond filled the church for the service.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Paul and eparchial clergy celebrated a Parastas memorial service at the main monument, for the repose of the souls of all those buried in the cemetery, under overcast and threatening skies.
In the photo above, Bishop Paul and eparchial clergy celebrate a Panakhyda memorial service at the grave of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia and former Bishop of Stamford, Most Rev. Joseph Schmondiuk. It was during Bishop Schmondiuk's time as Bishop of Stamford that the tract of land was purchased and Holy Spirit Cemetery was established.
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ST. GEORGE ACADEMY COMMENCEMENT
On Saturday, June 12 Bishop Paul celebrated a Divine Liturgy in St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in Manhattan for the 2010 Graduating Class of St. George Academy. Concelebrating the Divine Liturgy were Very Rev. Bernard Panczuk, OSBM, Superior and Pastor of St. George Parish and Rev. Vasile Tivadar, whose daughter, Larisa, was one of the graduates. Pictured above are the 18 graduates along with the teaching staff and St. George Academy Principal, Rev. Mr. Peter Shyshka.
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CLERGY DAYS AT SOYUZIVKA
From Monday, June 7 to Wednesday, June 9 the Spring Clergy Days were held at the Soyuzivka Resort near Kerhonkson, NY for all eparchial clergy. Following long-established tradition at the Spring gathering, those priests of eparchy who are celebrating significant anniversaries of their priestly ordinations were acknowledged and feted. This year almost 20 priests of the eparchy are marking milestone anniversaries of their priestly life, ranging from 35 years (Msgr. Roman Golemba), to 5 years (Rev. Roman Sydorovych). Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak is marking his silver anniversary of priestly ordination this year. Pictured above are the gathered clergy at the conclusion of the celebration of the jubilee Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Church in Kerhonkson.
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CANTORS' COURSE IN STAMFORD
From Friday, June 4 to Sunday, June 6 the latest Cantors' Institute was held in St. Basil Seminary in Stamford, CT. About 20 cantors from all over the eparchy gathered for a weekend of fellowship, singing and learning. Instructor, Joseph Roll led the participants in the study of the Paschal services of the Ukrainian Catholic Church with special emphasis on the Matins of the Resurrection. The Cantors' Institute will continue in the autumn.
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51st ZLET AT ELLENVILLE, NY
On Sunday, May 30 Bishop Paul visited the SUM Oselia in Ellenville, NY where he, along with Very Rev. Ihor Midzak, celebrated a Divine Liturgy in the outdoor chapel for the participants of the 51st annual ZLET which marks the traditional start of the summer season at the camp. Pictured above are Bishop Paul and Fr. Ihor among the nearly 400 'sumivtsi' who came from as far away as Baltimore, Cleveland and Montreal to take part.
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CATECHETICAL WORKSHOPS
During the month of May the Office of Religious Education of the Stamford Eparchy, (Fr. Al Forlano - Director; Fr. Vasile Colopelnic - Co-director), sponsored catechetical workshops in three deaneries under the theme of "Divine Liturgy and Catechesis". The lay catechists, coming from various parishes of the deaneries, learned about the historical and theological aspects of the Divine Liturgy, and ways of integrating the Divine Liturgy into the catechetical process.
Participants of the workshop held for the Boston Deanery at Christ the King Parish in Jamaice Plain, MA on May 8
Participants of the workshop held for the Albany Deanery at St. Nicholas Parish in Watervliet, NY on May 22
Partipicants of the workshop held for the Syracuse and Buffalo Deaneries at St. Josaphat Parish in Rochester, NY on May 29
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UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC PATRIARCHAL COMISSION FOR CLERGY FORMATION MEETS IN EICHSTATT, GERMANY 25-28 MAY
Members of the Patriarchal Commission for Clergy Formation in Seminaries in the Ukrainian Catholic Church
Members of the Patriarchal Commission for Clergy Formation in Seminaries of the Ukrainian Catholic Church with seminarians of the Oriental College-Seminary in Eichstätt
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BISHOP PAUL VISITS WESTERN CANADA
Bishop Paul visited Edmonton, Alberta on the Victoria Day long weekend (May 21 - 24) during which time he gave a one-day retreat for the members of the UCWL (Ukrainian Catholic Women's League) of St. Basil Parish. The theme was: "Praying with the Women of the Bible".
On Pentecost Sunday, Bishop Paul celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Basil Church in Edmonton, AB, where he was ordained bishop 8 years ago.
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EPARCHIAL DEACONS GATHER IN STAMFORD
From Tuesday, May 18 to Thursday, May 20, the eparchial deacons were invited to attend a session of Ongoing Formation at St. Basil Seminary in Stamford, CT, specifically designed to aid them in their ministry in our parishes. For three days the deacons attended classes in Liturgics, Church History, Canon Law, Catechetics and other relevant topics. Pictured above is Msgr. John Squiller lecturing to the deacons.
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STAMFORD EPARCHY CELEBRATES
BISHOP BASIL LOSTEN'S 80TH BIRTHDAY
On Wednesday, May 19 the Stamford Eparchy officially greeted Bishop-Emeritus Basil H. Losten on the occasion of his 80th birthday. The day began with a celebration of a thanksgiving Moleben to the Mother of God in St. Basil Seminary Chapel in Stamford, CT. Pictured above from left to right are: Most Rev. Henry Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford; Most Rev. Paul Chomnycky, Bishop of Stamford; Most Rev. Stefan Sulyk, Metropolitan-Emeritus of Philadelphia; Most Rev. Basil H. Losten, Bishop-Emeritus of Stamford.
Bishops, clergy, religious and faithful gathered in St. Basil Seminary Chapel for the Moleben to the Mother of God
Following the prayer service a birthday luncheon was held in the local Knights of Columbus Hall. In the photo above, Very Rev. Kiril Angelov, pastor of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rochester, NY, greets Bishop Losten on behalf of the clergy of the Eparchy.
During the luncheon Bishop Losten had the opportunity of personally greeting all those who came to wish him well and to thank them for their generous donations towards the newly-created Basil H. Losten Foundation in support of the Ukrainian Museum and Library of Stamford. May God grant Bishop Basil many years of happy and productive life! На Многая і Благая Літа!
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ST. NICHOLAS PARISH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
On Sunday, May 16, Bishop Paul joined Rev. Marian Kostyk, the pastor of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Amsterdam, NY and many faithful and well-wishers, in celebrating the centenary of the parish foundation with a Pontifical Divine Liturgy and banquet.
St. Nicholas Parish was founded by immigrants to the United States, mainly from the area of Zolochiv, Ukraine, who settled in Amsterdam and environs at the turn of the 20th century. The first meeting of those interested in forming a parish community was held on April 28, 1907. Three years later at the cost of about $3,000, the completed church building was blessed by Rev. E. Bartosh, who travelled from Watervliet, NY. Pictured above are two of the oldest parishioners of St. Nicholas Parish who vividly remember the early days and growth of the community.
Pictured above are the concelebrants of the jubilee Divine Liturgy including Very Rev. Vladimir Marusceac (Dean of Albany Deanery), eparchial clergy, three local Roman Catholic pastors, and Rev. Roman Galadza, pastor of St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church, near Toronto, ON
Pictured above are the faithful of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church along with their pastor, Fr. Marian Kostyk. The dedication in the memorial book produced for the 100th anniversary reads as follows: "This book is dedicated to the original Ukrainian pioneers and other who followed them to the Amsterdam area in search of a better life. Their strong will, perseverance, hard work, and belief in Almighty God enabled them to adapt to a diverse culture, language and a new way of life. Many challenges were overcome in daily life as they gained proud achievements, happiness and slowly became part of an ever-growing nation which they embraced. We give thanks and praise to God for the many and wondrous blessings received over the years."
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PRIESTLY ORDINATION IN SYRACUSE, NY
On May 11, the Feastday of the Sts. Cyril & Methodius, the Apostles to the Slavs, a rare event attracted throngs of faithful to St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Syracuse - the ordination to the priesthood of Bohdan Hedz, who has been serving as deacon in the parish for the better part of the past year. Rejoicing along with the faithful and pastor, Fr. Robert Batcho, were numerous eparchial clergy as well as Fr. Bohdan's wife, Lina and his mother who travelled from Ukraine to share in the joy of the day.
"By the will of God and the work of the most holy and life-giving Spirit, and with the blessing of our God-loving Bishop Paul, the devout deacon Bohdan is being elevated to the priesthood..." from the rite of ordination
"O God, Master of all, grant to this one whom You have pleased to ordain through me, to receive this great grace of Your Holy Spirit in a blameless life and an unshaken faith..." - from the rite of ordination
Immediately following his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Bohdan is clothed in his priestly vestments. AXIOS! He is worthy!
"For the servant of God, Bohdan, who has been ordained presbyter today and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord." The newly-ordained Fr. Bohdan Hedz stands with Bishop Paul, concelebrating clergy, his wife, Lina, and mother following the completion of the Pontifical Divine Liturgy. May God bless Fr. Bohdan with many blessed years of service in His Vineyard! На Многая і Благая Літа!
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ST. BASIL COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES - 2010
On Saturday, May 8 St. Basil College held its Commencement Exercises marking the completion of another academic year. Two seminarians, Celso Belo and Ioan Dubovici, after four years of successful study at St. Basil's, were awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. In the above photo they are pictured with Bishop Paul Chomnycky before the beginning of the Solemn Divine Liturgy in St. Basil Seminary Chapel.
Bishop Paul, Bishop Basil Losten, the 2010 graduating class and the teaching staff of St. Basil College following the completion of the Divine Liturgy. Mr. Andy Bamber delivered the Commencement Address.
The 2010 Graduating Class - Celso Belo and Ioan Dubovici - express their joy on a job well done! Both Celso and Ioan have plans to continue studies towards the priesthood. May God bless them with good health, happiness and perseverance as they continue their studies. На Многая і Благая Літа!
At the graduation luncheon following the Divine Liturgy, the Rector of St. Basil College, Very Rev. Bohdan Danylo, presented Mr. Andy Bamber with an icon of Our Lord. Mr. Bamber delivered the Commencement Address and has been an active member of the expanded Board of Trustees of St. Basil College since its inception in 2006.
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ROMAN BADIAK ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD
On Sunday, May 2 in St. Basil Seminary Chapel in Stamford, CT, Deacon Roman Badiak was ordained to the Holy Priesthood through the imposition of hands of the Bishop of Stamford, Most Rev. Paul Chomnycky. The chapel was filled to capacity with many family members, including Fr. Roman's wife, Irene and his son, Daniel, as well as numerous friends and acquaintances who came to pray at the Solemn Divine Liturgy and witness this rare event. Fr. Vasyl Hrynkiw led a large contingent of parishioners from St. Volodymyr Parish in Hempstead, NY, Fr. Roman's home parish and where he served as deacon. We wish the newly-ordained Fr. Roman many blessed and fruitful years of service in the Lord's Vineyard. На Многая і Благая Літа!
Bishop Paul, Deacon Roman Badiak and concelebrating priests immediately before the start of the Divine Liturgy
"May the Lord bless him from Zion, and may he see the blessings of Jerusalem all the days of his life." - from the ordination rite
"Divine grace, which always cures the infirm, and supplies what is wanting, elevates the devout deacon Roman, to the presbyterate; therefore let us pray for him that the grace of the most Holy Spirit may come upon him..." - from the ordination rite
"O Lord, fill this one, whom You have chosen to ascend to the rank of the priesthood, with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that he may stand worthily and blamelessly before Your holy altar". AXIOS! HE IS WORTHY!
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UKRAINIAN PILGRIMS AT TOMB OF SAINT PETER IN THE VATICAN
A few years ago Ukrainian pilgrims began visiting the site of the burial of the first Pope—St. Peter. Thanks to the archeological excavations underneath the basilica of St. Peter in the XX century, the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles was found beneath the main central altar in the basilica.
Taras B. Dzyubanskyy, a seminarian of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, is preparing a book entitled “The Development of the Cult of Saint Peter in the Vatican: From the Poor Man’s Grave to the Largest Basilica in the World” («Розвиток Культу Святого Апостола Петра в Ватикані: від Простої Могили до Найбільшої Базиліки в Світі»). This will be a first time that a publication like this will appear in Ukrainian and, according to Tetiana Izhevska, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See, the book will be an important contribution to the development of pilgrimages from Ukraine to the Tomb of St. Peter.
Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Vicar of the Holy Father in the Vatican and the Archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica approved this project in July 2009. The project is under the patronage of the Ukrainian Embassy to the Holy See and it is sponsored exclusively by the Ukrainian benefactors. Bishop Basil H. Losten was the first to support the project.
As the Introduction says, “The goal of our book is to take the reader-pilgrim through the two thousand years of history of the development of the cult of St. Peter and devotion to the Petrine shrine—the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, which has evolved from a simple Poor Man’s grave to the largest church in the world.”
Besides the tomb of St. Peter, the book will also talk about the ancient necropolis discovered under St. Peter’s basilica and, since it will be for Ukrainian pilgrims, short chapters about the Slavic Chapel in the Vatican Grottoes and the Mosaics of Saint Volodymyr and Santa Olga will be included in the work.
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YEVSHAN CHOIR CONCERT
On Saturday, May 1 Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Fr. Bohdan Danylo, Dc. Vasyl Behay and the St. Basil College seminarians travelled to Boston, MA where they celebrated a Pontifical Divine Liturgy in Boston College. The responses were sung by the Yevshan Vocal Ensemble of Hartford, CT under the direction of Alex Kuzma. Following a light lunch, the Yevshan Choir offered a short concert of Ukrainian liturgical and folk songs in the magnificent wood-carved chapel of St. John Seminary, the major seminary for the Archdiocese of Boston. Pictured here are Bishop Paul and the Yevshan Choir in St. John Seminary Chapel.
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