Head of the UGCC to Father Myron Bendyk on his 70th birthday: “You have become an exemplar of a priest who loves Christ and His Church”
On February 23, the rector of the Drohobych Theological Seminary of the Blessed Martyrs Severin, Yakym, and Vitaliy, Fr. Myron Bendyk, celebrated his 70th birthday anniversary. On this occasion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, sent a congratulatory letter to the jubilee. It was read out during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, celebrated on Sunday, February 25, at the Drohobych Theological Seminary by Bishop Yaroslav Pryriz.
The Patriarch expressed gratitude to the priest for his many years of service to the Church and the Ukrainian people. His Beatitude Sviatoslav commended the devotion of Fr. Myron, who served in various parishes of the Drohobych district during the period of the underground, “bringing the moment of rebirth of his native martyr Church closer,” as well as his fruitful work as rector of the seminary in Drohobych.
“We highly appreciate your years of work as rector of the Drohobych Seminary, which under your leadership has raised hundreds of priests who today serve our faithful across the world, particularly in the Kyiv Archeparchy. You have shared with them your deep knowledge, which is the fruit of hard intellectual work, and have become an exemplar of a pastor who loves Christ and His Church,” the letter reads.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also commended Fr. Myron for his active work in various ecclesiastical structures, including the theological department of the Patriarchal Curia, and many conferences on religion, spirituality, art, and culture. “It is with great pleasure,” added the Head of the UGCC, “that I recall our cooperation in writing the Catechism of the Church ‘Christ is our Pascha.’”
“Your life is full of pastoral sacrifice and dedication to preaching the Gospel of Christ. This earned you good fame and respect among the people you have faithfully served for many years,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
On the occasion of the anniversary, the Patriarch wished Fr. Myron abundant blessings from God and the help of the Holy Spirit in all his endeavors for the glory of God and the good of his native people.
Interview with Fr. Myron Bendyk to mark his 70th birthday:
The UGCC Department for Information
