Stations of the Cross in Zarvanytsia unites thousands of faithful in prayer for Ukraine
On April 2, a densely packed procession of Stations of the Cross was held at the Marian Spiritual Center Zarvanytsia, led by Archbishop and Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zboriv of the UGCC Vasyl Semeniuk, Auxiliary Bishop Theodor Martyniuk and Exarch of Lutsk Josaphat Hovera.
With the blessing of Metropolitan Vasyl, special spiritual reflections and prayer intentions were concluded and read out. The believers jointly asked God for salvation for the Motherland, the preservation of the lives of our soldiers, and victory in the war. Furthermore, the pilgrims addressed the prayers to Our Lady of Zarvanytsia for her protection over the Ukrainian people, for Ukrainian mothers who are concerned about the future of their children, for all countries and peoples who help Ukraine in its unequal struggle, for Ukrainian volunteers who sacrifice their time and energy to serve their neighbors in their time of need. And most of all, for the defenders, all wounded soldiers, and prisoners of war, so that the Lord may heal their wounds and ease their suffering.
The priests took turns carrying the icon of Our Lady of Zarvanytsia. During the stops, passages from the Passion Gospels were recited, the pilgrims sang mournful hymns and songs, and seminarians of the Ternopil Theological Seminary theatrically recreated the way of Jesus Christ’s suffering, from His condemnation before the Sanhedrin to His crucifixion on the cross.
The UGCC Department for Informationbased on the materials of the press service of Ternopil-Zboriv archeparchy
