Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!

Welcome, Readers and Surfers, of whatever persuasion! 
 
This website intends to be a doorway into the treasury of Christian insights and achievements afforded by that Garden of the eternal Church of Christ, sown and nurtured, as we believe, by our Lord Himself which is called the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. 
 
Its title does not intend to imply any official connection with any Ukrainian Orthodox communion.  Indeed it has been enriched by folks who love this Garden, who find themselves in various Ukrainian Orthodox - as well as Ukrainian Catholic communities. About Us. We welcome the feedback, input and comments, laudatory or critical as well as analytical - and especially inquisitive! - of our readers and friends across the globe.

Answers to Visitors' Questions

November 5, 2009 Can there anything be said about the consequencies for the West regarding place and 'function' of the human spirit (St. Paul: pneuma) since in the Rom. Cath. Church the human spirit is only a part of the (one and only one) soul, according the Const. Synod of 869?
Can there be drawn any line between displacement of the Spirit in the West an the loss of the human spirit? See Answer

October 30, 2009 Are tattoos frowned upon by the Orthodox church? Would it be sinful to get one? See Answer

October 30, 2009 Why is it that when a Ukrainian lay person or priest is ordained a monk or bishop, that the name they choose or are given at their ordination in not in the vernacular?  For instance, why are there Bishops Mikhail or Andrey, not Mykhailo or Andrij?  As priests they would have used their vernacular first name, but once ordained a bishop or monk the Old Church Slavonic (I'm guessing here) is used?  Is not the vernacular name good enough? See Answer

September, 2009 Can you tell me which faith is more similiar: Ukrainian Catholic and Roman Catholic or Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox? See Answer

A couple of questions regarding confession:
1) when confessing our sins formally to a priest in Church prior to taking the Eucharist, is it less proper when no concrete sins are mentioned (just 'in general')? Is the whole process 'watered down' in such instances?
2) after confession and after taking part of the Eucharist, do (or should) Orthodox believe that the sins committed prior are fully and properly forgiven (even if mentioned in specifics) - with the person now fully 'clean' of them? See answers

Responses to Priests First,  when you go up for communion, after the priest gives you the Eucharist, what are you supposed to say (if anything) before you cross yourself.
Second, at the end of mass when you go up to kiss the cross the Priest is holding does he say "istos voscras"  and if he does what should your response be?  Voistino Voscras? See Answer

Previous Questions

NEW - Discussion Form

Patriarch Kiril in Ukraine: Moscow and Kyiv on a Collision Course? Patriarch Kiril of Moscow is currently (article posted on July 30, 2009) in Ukraine for a ten day visit of the major Cathedrals and shrines there and to meet with the hierarchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (which is in union with him). As expected, the topic of Ukrainian Orthodox Church unity and autocephaly figures very highly during this visit. The comments of the Patriarch in relation to these issues tell a fascinating story.

The Cultural Impact on Faith and Church History: Some Bohemian Reflections It has ever been the case that the Orthodox Church has been Western history’s “best kept secret.” One reason for this is the unwillingness of Western Roman Catholicism and Protestantism to admit Orthodoxy to a place in the religious struggles of Europe that are, more than often than not, reduced simply to a battle of ideas – ahead of actual wars – between Rome and Protestantism alone. One could make the argument, however, that not only is that not true – it doesn’t even apply to Western denominations. The liturgical traditions of the Hussite Utraquists of Bohemia serve as an important case in point.

The Holodomor of 1933 -
Spiritual Reflections
Silence
Evil
Faith
Foregiveness - Eucharist
Hope
Justice and Mercy
Love

It is often the case that when clerical celibacy appears in news articles or popular journals that the “married priesthood” is introduced somewhere in the discussion as a panacea for any and all perceived problems involving unmarried priests.
Marriage for priests would solve everything, we are told, introducing smooth sailing where there are choppy waters otherwise. In fact, this is a gross oversimplification of the many challenges a married priest in North America faces, along with his wife and family.
December 22, 2008 marked the third anniversary of the repose of my sister-in-law, Renata’s, father, the Reverend Ihor Chabursky. A reflection on his life can serve to highlight those challenges.

Coldplay’s hit song “Viva la Vida” has struck positive chords internationally.  Who would have thought such a popular song would be about religion?

The Radiant Beauty of the Saints

On October 25 on the Gregorian calendar (which is October 12 on the Julian), we celebrate the memory of St. Wilfrid (ancient versions of his name include Wufrid and Wilfrith), who held the post of Archbishop of York, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the English Church.

On October 18 on the Gregorian calendar (which is October 5 on the Julian), we celebrate the memory of three Metropolitans of Kyiv, Sts. Peter, Alexis and Jonah, who led their flock in very difficult times of Mongol invasions and occupation of their lands, which made it necessary for them to exercise their archpastoral ministry, under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople, from the city of Moscow, thereby laying the foundations for the Church of Russia.

On October 11 on the Gregorian calendar (which is September 28 on the Julian), we celebrate the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kyivan Monastery of the Caves, whose Relics are in the Near Caves (of St. Anthony). There are 70 of them. The 71st person whose Relics repose in these Caves is a young girl, the Knyahynia (Princess) St. Juliana (a popular form of the name among Ukrainians is “Ulyana”) Ol’shans’ka who departed this earthly life at the age of 16.

On October 3 on the Gregorian calendar (which is September 20 on the Julian), we celebrate the memory of the Martyrs and Confessors, Michael, Knyaz’ of Chernihiv, and his Counsellor, Theodore, Wonderworkers, who bore witness to Christ in the Mongol Horde in 1245.

On September 29 on the Gregorian calendar (which is September 16 on the Julian), we celebrate the memory of St. Cyprian, Metropolitan of Kyiv, whose life and ministry were quite complex as it was his task to bear his Cross during the “Time of Troubles” in the Church of Rus’.

On September 20 on the Gregorian calendar (which is September 7 on the Julian), we celebrate the memory of a remarkable man of faith (Venerable Hieromartyr Macarius) who lived and served the Lord in one of the most turbulent times in Ukrainian history and frequently told his fellow-monks: “One cannot attain the heavenly crown without being tortured for keeping [God’s] law”.

On September 13 on the Gregorian Calendar (which is August 31 on the Julian) we celebrate the memory of another Kyivan Metropolitan, John II sometimes surnamed Prodromos (Forerunner), which is the Greek surname for St. John, the Baptizer of Christ. The Metropolitan reposed in the Lord on this day in 1089, having served at his post since 1077.

On September 6 on the Gregorian Calendar (which is August 24 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Rus’. It was on this day that the final transfer of his Relics to the newly-rebuilt Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Moscow took place in 1479.

On August 30 on the Gregorian Calendar (which is August 17 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate the memory of an early monastic Saint of Kyivan Rus’, the Venerable Alypius (he reposed in the Lord in 1114), who was especially dedicated to preserving and manifesting the image of God, which is the vocation of every Christian.

On August 23 on the Gregorian Calendar (which is August 10 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate the memory of an illustrious company of martyrs who bore testimony to Christ during the persecution of Emperor Valerian (253-260).

On August 16 on the Gregorian Calendar (which is August 3 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate the memory of an unusual Saint – not that any Saint, or any person for that matter, is “usual”. This Saint however is linked with a rather extraordinary miracle. It is St. Anthony the Roman, Wonderworker of Novgorod.

On August 9 on the Gregorian Calendar (which is July 27 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate the memory of five Slavs who were disciples of the Holy Brothers known as the Enlighteners of the Slavs - Saints Cyrils and Methodius of Thessalonica. These five are Saints Clement, Naum, Sava, Gorazd and Angelar. Most distinguished among these five is the one known as “Equal-to-the-Apostles”, St. Clement of Ochrid, Bishop of Greater Macedonia. It is likely that the choice of commemorating these five on this day, which is mainly dedicated to St. Panteleimon, the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer, is due to the pioneering missionary work which St. Clement directed from the St. Panteleimon Monastery which he founded in the city of Ochrid.

On August 2 on the Gregorian Calendar (which is July 20 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate the memory of four Orthodox Christians, the Paris Martyrs, who bore worthy testimony to the reality of the hope brought into this world by our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the fiery furnace of the second world war.

On July 26 (Gregorian calendar – which is July 13 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate a feast which seems to just come out of nowhere. It is the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel. Usually a Synaxis follows a major feast day as a liturgical assembly in honour of the Saint or Saints involved in the primary celebration. Such is not the case here. Why it is celebrated on this day is a bit of a mystery.

On July 19 (which is July 6 on the Julian calendar) we celebrate the memory of one of the many Saints of the undivided Church of the first millennium – St. Monenna, foundress of the the Killevy (often spelled “Killeavy”) Monastery in Northern Ireland.

On July 5 (which is June 22 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate the memory of St. Eusebius of Samosata, a Bishop noted for his defence of the teaching about Christ proclaimed at the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicea (today Iznik in Turkey) in 325. His life gave his colleague and friend, St. Gregory the Theologian, the occasion to praise him as: “a pillar of the Church", "a gift of God" and "a rule of faith".

St. Michael, First Metropolitan of Kyiv On June 28 (which is June 15 on the Julian Calendar) we celebrate the memory of the first Metropolitan of Kyiv, St. Michael, who reposed in the Lord on that day in 992. Very little is known about his origins. He is said to have been a Syrian, Bulgarian or Serbian. The Patriarch of Constantinople sent him to Ukraine in 988, shortly after the Baptism of Rus’, to lead the work of the Kniaz’ St. Volodymyr the Great in establishing his people in the Orthodox faith.

Icons of the Mother of God

On July 12 (which is June 29 on the Julian Calendar) on the Feast of the Leaders of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul we celebrate the Kasperivs’ka Icon of the Mother of God. The Icon is also commemorated on Bright Wednesday and on the Feast of the Protecting Veil of the Theotokos, Svyata Pokrova, on October 14 (which is October 1 on the Julian Calendar). It is an Icon of Tenderness. Mother Mary caresses her Son, Who holds a scroll in His hand. St. John the Baptist and the Martyr, St. Tatiana, are on either side, probably because they are the patrons of the unknown original owner.

On the Sunday of All Saints, as well as on the Feast of the Meeting of Christ (February 2/15) and on the second to last day before the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God (August 13/26) we celebrate an Icon of the Mother of God with two names: “The Softening of Evil Hearts” and “Of the Seven Arrows”.

The Glorious Beauty of the Liturgical Calendar

On the Second Sunday after Pentecost it is the tradition of the Orthodox to remember the Saints who have been glorified in their own land or locality. The First Sunday after Pentecost is the Sunday of All Saints – those known and those unknown by the earthly Church. The sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was to populate the universe with Holy Men and Women. On the Monday after All Saints’ Sunday, we begin the Apostles’ Fast to remind us of our vocation to join the ranks of these Holy Ones. And on the Second Sunday we celebrate the memory of those so proclaimed, as well as others who have not been – and indeed may never on earth be – so proclaimed who have shone forth among us locally.

Today's Feast - the Day of Pentecost, the Descent of the Holy Spirit brings us a Gospel reading (John 7:37-52,8:12) with images which speak of a happiness that lasts and that makes other people happy, too. Jesus says: "If any one thirsts, let him come to Me and drink". It is not only water for which people thirst. Jesus offers that which responds to a spiritual thirst, a thirst for lasting happiness, a thirst for answers to our hard questions - a thirst for meaning.

Previously posted articles on the Pentecost

On the Seventh Sunday after Pascha the Holy Church commemorates the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.  This Council was convened in 325 A.D. in the city of Nicea (today Iznik in Turkey, a source of popular brilliant blue ceramics) by St. Constantine, Equal-to-the-Apostles, the Emperor of Rome who stopped all persecution of the Faith of Christ and made it the faith of his Empire.

On May 10 on the Gregorian Calendar (which is April 27 on the Julian) we celebrate the memory of another of the kinsmen “according to the flesh” of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, St. Simeon, the second bishop of Jerusalem.

On May 3 Gregorian Calendar (which is April 20 on the Julian), Orthodox Christians celebrate the memory of a child-martyr, Gabriel Gavdel, of the village of Zwierki near the town of Zabludow in the diocese of Bialystok who died on April 11, 1690.

Listing of Articles in Calendar Order

Letters to Theophilus
21 Additional Letters

New Ukrainian Saints

Great 19th Century Orthodox Archbishop and Teacher Glorified a Saint The Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under His Beatitude Volodymyr of Kyiv and Ukraine recently met to ratify the glorification/canonization of a number of new Saints.