The mission of the Church is always to nourish the faith and hope of the Christian people. The seed of hope sometimes is very small but, nourished, it will sprout and grow up into a large tree which will bring numerous fruits. With such words of hope and support, the Most Rev. Bishop Hlib (Lonchyna) addressed in his sermon faithful of the UGCC gathered in the Church of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus and the Icon of the Mother of God of Zhyrovtsi on October 28, 2007. The Liturgy took place on the occasion of the beginning of visitation of communities of the UGCC in Italy and Spain. Having the chance, Bishop Hlib said that during the last Synod of Bishops of our church a large part of attention was given to the analysis of the spirituality of our people who work abroad and to different problems connected with that and trying to underline some ways, methods, by which it is possible to help, direct, and support them.
In his sermon the bishop also talked about the main theme of this year's Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, evangelization, the main contents of which is sharing one's own faith with others. This is an important means by which to execute the strategy of our Church: the holiness of the united people of God. But in order to share the Good News with others, it is necessary first to evangelize ourselves. Thus, the bishop pointed out three directions for this spiritual work: prayer, witnessing in suffering, and care for others. The Press-service of the Apostolic Visitator reported for the Department of Information.
“Today Ukraine and Ukrainians need most of all a deep spiritual renewal, faithful people who put their hope in God and with his help devote themselves to the preaching of the Gospel,” said Bishop Hlib, and he called for prayer for the good fortune of our people, for our families. He taught us to be careful about the words of prayer, to overcome distraction, and to bring prayer from the depth of the heart, that is, to apply the words of prayer to one's own life and necessities. “It is necessary to be patient in suffering, not to complain about God and people or conditions, but to see one's own sufferings as a participation in Christ's passion, like Paul, who carried on his body the wounds of Jesus. Finally, it is necessary to open own eyes to different Lazaruses who lay near our gates, all those who need our attention, love, help. And this is really urgent, here, in a foreign land,” said the Apostolic Visitator for Ukrainian Greek-Catholics in Italy, Spain and Ireland in conclusion.
• source: http://www.ugcc.org.ua