“Be a bearer and evangelizer of God’s work”: UGCC Head Enthrones New Metropolitan in Ternopil
On December 8, 2024, during the enthronement of Bishop Teodor Martyniuk as the new Archbishop and Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zboriv, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, addressed him with these words: “Today Ukraine is wounded and bleeding. Your Excellency, bring Jesus to those who are suffering and mourning. May you become a new Jairus, lifting up those in need.”
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with the rite of enthronement was celebrated in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Ternopil.
The event was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, UGCC bishops from Ukraine and abroad, the Apostolic Visitator for Greek Catholics in Western Europe, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Mukachevo Greek Catholic Diocese, Latin Rite bishops, and representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
At the start of the Liturgy, Bishop Andriy Khimyak, Secretary of the UGCC Synod of Bishops, read the patriarchal decree appointing Bishop Teodor Martyniuk as Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zboriv.
“We urge you to preserve and strengthen the faith and to work tirelessly for the salvation of the souls of the faithful of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy, especially the youth who bear the burden of war,” the decree stated.
Afterward, Bishop Teodor Martyniuk took the oath of office as Metropolitan, followed by his enthronement and the presentation of the symbols of spiritual authority.
During his sermon, His Beatitude Sviatoslav described the event as “an icon through which we can see and touch the Word proclaimed by today’s Gospel.”
“This historic moment reveals God’s power as He hastens to His wounded, grieving people. We give thanks that the Lord, who came to us in the past, is still coming to us now,” the Patriarch said.
He also expressed gratitude to Bishop Vasyl Semenyuk, calling him “the Jairus of the underground Church, who brought Christ into Ukrainian homes filled with prayer, weeping, and hope.”
The Patriarch continued: “Through Bishop Vasyl, we witnessed God’s power when our Church rose from the underground. Today, it shines as the global Kyivan Church, a beacon for the world.”
Addressing Bishop Vasyl, the first Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zboriv, His Beatitude said:
“Your courageous service has made you one of the most remarkable bishops of our Church. You tirelessly reached out to your people, developed the Metropolia, and revived the Marian pilgrimage site of Zarvanytsia.”
Turning to Bishop Teodor, he said: “Your Excellency, you are God’s gift to His people, through whom Christ desires to continue ministering to the faithful. May your pastoral service heal and uplift. The Gospel’s power will be with you in every vocation the Lord grants you.”
Following the Liturgy, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, thanked God for Bishop Vasyl Semenyuk and congratulated Bishop Teodor: “We pray that you will always thirst for God’s grace, which He abundantly bestows.”
The newly enthroned Archbishop and Metropolitan, Teodor Martyniuk, then expressed his gratitude to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Archbishop Kulbokas, the UGCC Synod of Bishops, clergy, monastics, relatives, and especially his predecessor, Bishop Vasyl Semenyuk.
“Today, during this service, I prayed for all our fallen servicemen, for the wounded, for those missing, and those in captivity or hospitals. My prayers are with them,” he said.
Bishop Vasyl Semenyuk also thanked the Head of the Church for raising international awareness about Ukraine’s plight and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the restoration of Zarvanytsia as a Marian Spiritual Center.
The event concluded with congratulations from Metropolitan Nestor Pysyk of the OCU: “We believe that through joint efforts and prayer, our churches in the Ternopil region will serve our people side by side, like two sisters.”
