Greek Catholics seek involvement in Orthodox-Catholic talks
(RISU) - At a press conference today in Lviv, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Patriarch Sviatoslav, said his church is ready to become a member of the Orthodox-Catholic dialogue and to organize a meeting between the pope and Patriarch Kirill.The press conference took place after the presentation of the UGCC Catechism "Christ is Our Easter." The working group, which is led by the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission, worked on the Catechism for almost 10 years. The book consists of three parts: "Faith in the Church," "Prayer of the Church," and "Life of the Church."
According to Patriarch Sviatoslav, the UGCC Catechism is a testament of the intellectual maturity of the church and that it is a result of the order by which it lives.
The Catechism, as confirmed by the hierarch, is both old and new: "Old, for faith is eternal, and new, because we present the content in such a way so that our faithful can fully understand this tradition, so that this Catechism can speak to the modern person."
"Until recently, there was a notion that to theologize in Ukrainian was 'uncultured' – we usually translated theological works. Since the Catechism is a product of a 'Ukrainian manufacturer,' written in Ukrainian," it is, according to the patriarch, a very important matter.
At the press conference, Patriarch Sviatoslav also talked about the mission of the church, which he sees for today as becoming a full-fledged partner in the dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholics.
"We are a national church, and so we are ready to be not only a bridge of understanding between the Catholic and Orthodox churches and to organize a meeting between the pope and Patriarch Kirill, but also to become a full-fledged member of the dialogue," the church leader told the press.
Nativity of the Glorious Prophet and Forerunner John
Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
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Troparion - Tone 4
Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ,
although we cannot praise you worthily,
we honor you in love at your nativity,
for by it you ended your father's silence and your mother's barrenness,
proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!
Kontakion - Tone 3
Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ's Forerunner,
who is the fulfillment of every prophecy;
for in the Jordan,
when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets,
he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.
Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ,
although we cannot praise you worthily,
we honor you in love at your nativity,
for by it you ended your father's silence and your mother's barrenness,
proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!
Kontakion - Tone 3
Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ's Forerunner,
who is the fulfillment of every prophecy;
for in the Jordan,
when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets,
he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.