A Cycling Pilgrimage, “Following in the Footsteps of St. John Paul II,” Takes Place in Lviv
On June 20, a cycling pilgrimage titled “Following in the Footsteps of Saint John Paul II” took place in Lviv to mark the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine. The 120 participants cycled to sites associated with the Pontiff’s stay in Lviv, concluding the pilgrimage with communal prayer at St. George’s Cathedral.
Adults, young people, children, military personnel, and members of the clergy took part in the event. The cyclists rode along John Paul II Avenue to the Holy Spirit Theological Seminary in Lviv, which the Pope had blessed during his visit. The route then continued to the Lviv Racetrack, where the Pontiff presided over the Divine Liturgy, and concluded at St. George’s Cathedral. There, participants gathered for communal prayer and a spiritual reflection. Afterwards, they returned to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary along the same route.
According to Fr. Orest Fredyna, rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the cycling pilgrimage was intended to commemorate the events of St. John Paul II’s visit, unite participants in prayer, and draw attention to every person’s Christian vocation. The priest noted that St. John Paul II was always close to young people and, through his own example, encouraged them to live an active life of faith.
In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s apostolic visit to Ukraine, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is holding a range of commemorative events throughout its eparchies and exarchates. The central venues for the celebrations are Lviv, Kyiv, and Stradch. The program features Divine Liturgies, conferences, pilgrimages, youth gatherings, and cultural events with the participation of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, and the Synod of Bishops.
Photo: Press Service of the Lviv City Council
