The subsequent session of the Episcopal Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church commenced with a Divine Liturgy in St. George Archcathedral in Lviv’.

His Beatitude Most Rev. Sviatoslav Shevchuk said in his sermon: „This Divine Liturgy starts the Episcopal Synod of the UGCC. Bishops from all over the world have come to pray in front of the Icon of The Virgin Mary „The Gate of Mercy.”

This session of the Episcopal Synod was planned to take place between 4th and 11th of September 2016 in Bryukhovytchi near Lviv’.

The main topic of this Synod is „Diakonia – Service”, Most Rev. Sviatoslav Shevchuk, at the beginning of the session, presented main questions and problems to be discussed, concerning mercy and helping the needy in the today’s world.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by bishops from all over the world, for example, Most Rev. Claudio Gugerotti, the Apotostolic nuncio in Ukraine and Most Rev. Hryhoriy III (Laham), the Patriarch and the Head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church with the seat in Syria.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Apostolic nuncio assured that His Holiness Pope Francis is going to follow the session carefully.

Patriarch Hryhoriy III sent greetings from all territories of the Patriarchate of Antioch. He mentioned that both Syria and Ukraine struggle with war period but all Christians should give testimony of peace, ressurection and life and mercy.

Finally, Most Rev. Sviatoslav Shevchuk asked all faithful of the Greek Catholic Church to pray to the Holy Spirit for fruitful outcomes of the Synod.

Source: News Department of the UGCC

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