Cardinal Mykola Bychok on Sunday returned to his hometown of Ternopil in Ukraine to celebrate the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Archcathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Source: Ukrainian Eparchy.
The occasion held particular significance for Cardinal Bychok as it was in Ternopil that he grew up, took his first steps in Church ministry and discerned his vocation to religious life.
After his homily, the cardinal called for special prayers for Ukraine – for its defenders, prisoners of war, those who are missing, the wounded, those who have lost family members and loved ones, and all those who have given their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine.
Cardinal Bychok also called on the faithful to ask the Lord to grant the Ukrainian people the gift of a just peace.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zboriv Bishop Teodor Martyniuk thanked Cardinal Bychok for his visit to Ternopil and for joining the community in prayer.
The cardinal, in turn, expressed his gratitude to Bishop Martyniuk, the clergy and the faithful for the invitation and the opportunity to pray together in his hometown.
Cardinal Mykola also shared a personal memory connected with the Archcathedral: “Thirty-five years ago, on August 28, 1991, it was here in this church that I received my Solemn Holy Communion.”
Following the Divine Liturgy, representatives of the city authorities presented Cardinal Mykola with the distinction of “Honorary Citizen of the City of Ternopil”.
The distinction was an expression of his hometown’s gratitude for his pastoral ministry and for bringing the voice of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Catholic Church to the international community.
Cardinal Bychok was also presented with the flag of the 105th Separate Territorial Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – a symbol of the service and resilience of the servicemen and women of the Ternopil region.
At the conclusion of the celebrations, the cardinal blessed three vehicles that will soon be delivered to Ukrainian servicemen and women to support them in carrying out their duties and help protect the lives of Ukraine’s defenders.
FULL STORY
Cardinal Mykola Celebrates Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in His Hometown of Ternopil (Ukrainian Eparchy)
