Father Volodymyr Firman’s episcopal ordination held in Zarvanytsia
On August 26, 2023, the Great Vespers with the Rite of Episcopal Consecration of Father Volodymyr Firman, elected as Auxiliary Bishop of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy of the UGCC, was held at the Marian Spiritual Center “Zarvanytsia”. The rite of ordination was performed by the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, together with Bishop Vasyl Semeniuk, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zboriv, and Bishop Bohdan Danylo, Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma (USA).
At the beginning of the Rite, Bishop Andriy Khimyak, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, read the Decree of the Head of the UGCC on the proclamation of Fr Volodymyr Firman as Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church with the title of the Episcopal See of Limesa and the Decree on appointing him Auxiliary Bishop of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy.
“You will carry out the episcopal ministry as an auxiliary bishop to the Archbishop of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy of the UGCC,” the decree of naming reads. “Be his support in performing his duties. Always conform your actions to him. Respect him as your father so that others will respect you. You are joining the flock of bishops of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy of the UGCC, which has heroes of faith. Preserve and multiply their work, dear bishop!”
The Decree of Installation also states that Bishop Volodymyr takes up this ministry during a brutal war in Ukraine when it is pivotal to serve all those who have suffered losses: “You are facing a long and difficult period of healing the wounds caused by it. Be ready to serve all who have suffered losses from this barbaric war. We ask the merciful Lord Jesus Christ to strengthen and preserve you and your faithful in the trials. May God’s just peace come to our land through your prayers and service!”
Following the newly named bishop, Volodymyr Firman pronounced the profession of faith and took oaths of allegiance to Pope Francis and His Beatitude Sviatoslav and their successors, laying his hand on the Gospel. Then, the nominee Bishop served the Great Vespers.
As we reported earlier, on July 12, 2023, the Vatican announced that His Holiness Pope Francis had blessed the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC to elect Father Volodymyr Firman as Auxiliary Bishop of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy of the UGCC. He was granted the titular seat of Limisa.
The UGCC Department for Information
