“Congratulations on the long-awaited resolution of the Holy See”: His Beatitude Sviatoslav congratulated Greek Catholics in Belarus on establishing Apostolic Administration
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had established an Apostolic Administration for the faithful of the Byzantine rite in Belarus. The Holy Father appointed Archimandrite Serhiy Gayek as the first Apostolic Administrator. On this occasion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav congratulated the head and faithful of the newly formed structure of the GCC in Belarus.
“United by the historical heritage of the ancient Kyiv Metropolis and many years of joint efforts, we rejoice with you and embrace you with prayerful support and care. The anticipated decision of the Holy See confirms that the Lord never forsakes His children and cares for them, especially in difficult circumstances of their faith and church life,” reads the letter of His Beatitude Sviatoslav sent to Archimandrite Gayek.
The Head of the UGCC stressed that “covered with wounds of persecution and destruction, the Belarusian Greek Catholic Church continues its pilgrimage to the resurrection, and the establishment of the Apostolic Administration allows it to organize church life better and surround its faithful with pastoral care.”
On behalf of the Synod of Bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and laymen of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav assured the Greek Catholics of Belarus of “prayer and support on the way to building a mature Christian community.” “I ask the Lord to make you the ‘salt’ of the Belarusian land and to pass on the treasure of our faith to the next generations with dignity,” the Head of the UGCC wished.
In the letter, His Beatitude, Sviatoslav also expressed gratitude to Archimandrite Gayek “for the sacrificial service you have performed since 1993 as an apostolic visitor. May the Lord bless you for a new ministry and multiply the fruits of your labor through the prayers of the holy martyr Josaphat, Archbishop of Polotsk, and martyr for the unity of Christ’s Church.”
The Secretariat of the Head of the UGCC in Rome
