Click the link below to listen to their singing of the Velichanije of Bl. Bishop Theodore Romzha.
Pilgrimage in memory of Bl. Bishop Teodor Romzha
These are photos only from the first day of the pilgrimage from Khust to Tyachyv, but it continued for a second day onto the vilage of the birthplace of Bl. Bishop Teodor Romzha. There were hundreds of youth present for the pilgrimage, many priests, as well as both Bishop Milan Šašik (Eparchy of Mukachevo) and Bishop Kurt Burnette (Eparchy of Passaic). The pilgrimage stopped at several churches along the way for rest. Priests were seen hearing confessions the whole 20km route. At the end of the day a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated.
Seminary Choir of the Eparchy of Mukachevo
Today we had an opportunity to listen to the seminary choir of the Eparchy of Mukachevo practice before their upcoming trip to the United States with the Orientale Lumen Foundation. They will be visiting parishes and sites in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and also the Eparchy of Passaic between September 11th and Oct 2nd. In anticipation of their trip, and as a way to raise awareness of this event, we will be posting soundbites of their beautiful singing over the coming days.
Pascha – 1947
Pascha in Mukachevo in 1947. From left to right Fr. Mykhaylo Bendas, Fr. Evmeniy Dulishkovych, Bishop Teodor Romzha, Deacon Myron Beskyd, and Fr. Mykhaylo Shuba.
Пасха в Мукачеві 1947 року. Зліва дулішкович: о. Микайло бендас, о. Євменій Дулішковіч, єпискор Теодор Ромжа, диякон Мирон Бескид, о. Микайло Шуба.
Ruthenian Bishops & Priests from America visit Uzhhorod (1990)
In February 1990, a delegation of Ruthenian Catholic Bishops and Priests travelled to Uzhhorod shortly after the legalization of the Church (1989) to celebrate with the Ruthenian faithful of the Eparchy of Mukachevo this momentous event in the life of the Church. It was to be, practically speaking, the first major Divine Liturgy celebrated since the suppression of the Greek Catholic Church in 1947.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Greek Catholic Church in Tsehol’nya (Church of the Transfiguration) on February 18th, 1990 by Bishop Ivan Semedi (Eparchy of Mukachevo), Metropolitan Stephen Kocisko (Archeparchy of Pittsburg), Bishop Michael Dudick (Eparchy of Passaic), and Bishop Thomas Dolinay (Eparchy of Van Nuys), as well as priests and deacons from both the United States and the Eparchy of Mukachevo.
A multitude of people attended the Liturgy as can be seen from the overhead photo taken during it’s celebration. It was a very powerful moment in time for the Greek Catholic Church in Transcarpathia, and many a tear were shed. Just think, for fifty years these people were legally prohibited to even gather together and pray, but now could receive communion in public, and do so without fear of reprisal.
Seen also in the photos is a picture of faithful lining the street leading up to the Church with candles lit waiting for the arrival of “our” American Bishops and Priests.
These photos, along with many others, currently are framed and hanging in the Bishop’s Residence in Uzhhorod. I have wrote the captions on the photos as they appeared on the wall here in Uzhhorod. As a side note, if anyone can identify any of the American priests who are in the photos and post their names here, or send me a message I would be greatly appreciative. The only one I spotted that I knew was Heguman Joseph Stanichar (Duchovny Dom Byzantine Catholic Mens Monastery) pictured in the second photo just right of center looking straight at the camera.
Legacy
This is just one of the many women though whose prayers our Church has been sustained from time immemorial through the graces and mercies of Christ.
They are the women who rise early to go to Divine Liturgy, no matter the time nor the day.
They are the women who are seen bringing beautiful and freshly cut flowers to adorn our Temples and the icons of Our Lord and the Theotokos.
They are the women who are seen in the cemetery lighting a candle and saying a pray for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.
They are the women whose hands are calloused borne from years of hard work, but yet possess a gentle touch and a kind word.
They are the women who have dedicated their lives to God and through whose same dedication and love our Church has flourished, even when it faced persecution and complete destruction.
They are truly one of the best treasures that our Church has been blessed with and we should be ever so thankful for them.
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