100th Anniversary of the Studite Sisters’ Order Celebrated in Lviv
On October 1, the Feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Church of All Saints, located at the Studite Sisters’ Monastery in Lviv, to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Protection Convent of the Studite Order. Archbishop and Metropolitan of Lviv Ihor Vozniak presided over the Liturgy, concelebrated by Hieromonk Josaphat Voytek, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Univ Lavra; Hieromonk Panteleimon Trofimov, O. S. B. M., Abbot of St. Onuphry Monastery; and other invited priests.
This was reported by the press office of the Studite Sisters.
In his sermon, Bishop Ihor emphasized the unique care that the Most Holy Mother of God provides for every Christian soul. He reflected on the reverent presence of the Virgin Mary during the Lord’s earthly life and on the power of her intercession, which continues to be felt to this day. The Metropolitan urged all those in attendance to offer sincere prayers for Ukraine and its army. “Today, let us, through our fervent prayers, ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to protect us from the ferocious enemy who has waged war against Ukraine, and may she help us bring an end to it,” the Metropolitan said.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the bishop congratulated the sisters on their community’s anniversary: “Dear sisters, beloved of the Mother of God, nurture piety for her in your hearts and ask her to have mercy on our not-so-holy people. Please accept our heartfelt congratulations on the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Studite Sisters’ Convent. May God bless you with His abundant spiritual gifts, and may the Mother of God intercede for your fidelity in your vocation to the end of your noble lives.”
The Superior of the Holy Protection Convent, Maria Bandura, expressed gratitude to the Metropolitan on behalf of the community and presented him with an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, painted by the sisters.
As part of the celebration, the sisters organized a wonderful concert featuring children from the Catholic lyceum “St. Sophia School,” which operates at the monastery.
The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Holy Protection Convent will continue on October 14 with a scientific conference, organized by the Studite Sisters in collaboration with the NGO Center for the Study of Eastern Catholic Churches History. The conference will be held at the Holy Protection Convent of the UGCC in Lviv.
The UGCC Department for Information
