Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Rome
On Sunday, December 1, Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, who is currently in Rome, led the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus.
During the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Mykola was concelebrated by Bishop Dionisio Lachovicz, Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainian Catholics of the Byzantine Rite in Italy, Father Simon Ckuj, Protosynkellos of the Melbourne Eparchy, Father Liubomyr Kostiuk, Vice-Parish Priest of the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, and Father Kazimierz Zielinski of the Pauline Fathers Congregation from Czestochowa.
The service was also attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Order of Malta, Mr. Andrii Yurash, with his wife Diana and numerous faithful.
In his homily, Bishop Mykola drew attention to the example of the faith of a Canaanite woman who came to Christ, asking for help for her daughter. “Although she was a pagan, she came to ask Jesus for help. Christ did not answer her request with a word, but she was persistent. And again she made an even bigger request: ‘Lord, have mercy on me.’ This example, according to the bishop, is very relevant to our situation in Ukraine, where thousands of mothers pray for their sons, husbands, and daughters, whether military, medical workers, or volunteers who give their lives for peace.
“It seems that the Lord does not hear our prayers, but the Lord is with us. The Lord is with our military, the Lord is with our doctors, and He is with our chaplains. And just as this woman who prayed for her daughter received an answer to her intense pleas, as her daughter was freed from this bondage of the evil spirit, so the Lord will listen to our prayers and grant us just peace,” said Bishop Mykola.
After the Divine Liturgy, the participants took a photo together. The faithful had a great opportunity to communicate with the clergy. In an informal atmosphere, Bishop Mykola also met with Bishop Dionisio Lachovicz, Ambassador Andrii Yurash, and representatives of the church community, after which everyone had the opportunity to share a meal.
As a reminder, Bishop Mykola Bychok and Fr. Simon Ckuj are currently in Rome, awaiting the public consistory, during which Bishop Mykola Bychok will be elevated to the dignity of Cardinal of the Catholic Church.
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