“This cathedral became a mighty voice in the patriarchal movement and efforts for Ukraine’s independence”: 55th anniversary of St. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral celebrated in Chicago
On October 1, the feast of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha in Chicago (USA) thanked God for two anniversaries: The 55th anniversary of the consecration of the stone for the construction of the church and the 50th anniversary of its solemn blessing. On this occasion, Bishop Venedykt Aleksiychuk, Eparch of Chicago, presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Father Oleh Kryvokulsky, the parish priest, parishioners, and guests were also greeted by the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav. The Great Patriarchal Letter was read at the end of the Liturgy in the church.
In his patriarchal letter, His Beatitude, Sviatoslav noted that he was grateful to the merciful God for calling, strengthening, and gathering those who erected the holy walls of the cathedral: “Many of these faithful people are already standing before the throne of God and praying for all of you. In this bunch of dignitaries are Patriarch Josyf Slipyj of blessed memory, who oversaw the construction of the Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha and consecrated it, and your founding fathers, as well as hundreds of lay people of our Church, who, due to this holy temple and their loyalty to Christ, preserved their father’s faith, rich cultural heritage and passed it on to their descendants.”
In his patriarchal letter, His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that over the years, the Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha has become, for many people, not only a place of prayer and sanctification through the Holy Mysteries of Christ but also a mighty voice in the patriarchal movement and efforts for Ukraine’s independence. He then reminded us that Ukraine is again fighting for its existence today. The Head of the Church thanked the parishioners for their compassion and help to those suffering in the difficult times of war.
“We wish you that the Lord will continue to extend His grace to you, so that you, filled with faith and love, will bravely change this world, which is in great need of God,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav wished and added: — “These wishes we send to you from the hills of our gray-haired Dnipro, where, as a symbol of the integral unity of our Church, the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ was built at a time when our people are defending our Ukraine from the Russian enemy invasion with the lives of their faithful sons and daughters!”.
The UGCC Department for Information
