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2011-11-23

The newly-built prison chapel has been blessed in region of Lviv.

Monday, November 21, 2011.

Ukrainian Catholics are celebrating the Feast day of St. Michael the Archangel in November 21. This day a newly built prison chapel of the Transfiguration of the Lord has been blessed in penal institution for men. This prison facility of medium security #110 is under pastoral attention of the UGCC Eparchy of Stryj (Lviv region, Western Ukraine).  Exellent Bishop Taras Senkiv, Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Stryj, assisted construction of the chapel, which started six years ago. It was carried out through the joint involvement of both: internal resources of the prison, and with the help of the local parish communities.
The Order of Consecration has been led by Fr. Bogdan Manyshyn, protosyncellus of Stryj diocese,  in concelebration with Fr. Andrew Zaritsky, chaplain of prison # 110, Fr. Сonstantin Panteley, Head of the UGCC Office for the Pastoral Care in Penitentiary System of Ukraine, and Rev. Deacon Rostyslav Vysochan.


The Divine Liturgy has been celebrated following the blessing of the chapel. In this event participated prisoners, the clergy, representatives of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine and representatives of local power authorities.




In liturgical sermon Fr. Bogdan Manyshyn has explained the church teachings about the nature and ministry of angels in the spiritual world and examples of two life stories, which showed the importance of protection of the incorporeal forces during the life journey of each person. "Let the holy angels, with whom God has endowed each of us, will be those who are begging the wisdom of God for us and open our eyes, ears and hearts to the Lord's will" - said Fr. Bogdan in conclusion.


After the Liturgy some words of congratulations and thanks were also expressed by chaplains, by the representative of the Office of the State Penal Service of Ukraine and then by inmates. Prisoners expressed sincerely thankfulness to all who contributed in the construction of this chapel in a special way, noting dear chaplain, Fr. Andrew Zaritsky who for many years gives to prisoners pastoral care and helps them to go the path of peace, truth and repentance.

1 comment:

Arnold M said...

Great blog I ennjoyed reading