Thank you for your efficient service, — the Head of the UGCC congratulated the leader of the Knights of Columbus in Lviv
Dear Patrick, welcome! Thank you for your solidarity visit! With these words, the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, welcomed in Lviv Patrick Kelly, the Supreme Knight of the world’s largest fraternal organization Knights of Columbus, who arrived on a three-day solidarity visit to Ukraine.
On Tuesday, December 6, in the Patriarchal House in Lviv, the Head of the UGCC presided over the Divine Liturgy, at which priests of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC co-celebrated with him. Patrick Kelly with the Knights of Columbus also participated in the Eucharistic prayer.
Showing gratitude to Patrick Kelly for the solidarity visit, the Head of the UGCC emphasized that it is an essential testimony of support for Ukraine. The Patriarch also thanked all the Knights of Columbus — an organization “with an efficient service” — for supporting the projects of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.
He noted that at the beginning of the full-scale war, the Ukrainians were upset by the lack of resources compared to the Russian army. “But we have been withstanding the enemy for nine months. Today, the whole world is wondering how it is possible for Ukrainians to have the inner strength to endure, — said His Beatitude Sviatoslav and emphasized: — Because we believe in Christ! He is our strength and the source of all our resources!”.
“Our greatest joy as Christians is that we are brothers. Brotherhood is the main strength and resource of the Church of Christ,” the Head of the UGCC is convinced.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav shared that simultaneously, as he was happy about the visit of Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly to Ukraine, he was also saddened by the loss of his father.
“Today, I am living a sorrowful moment — my father died last night. Dad was a hands-on person, and mom was a musician. He cared for us and gave me much more than simple, practical life experience. Thanks to him, I am who I am,” said the Head of the UGCC.
“This sadness and joy,” he added, “is the key to understanding the presence of the living Christ among us. It is our salt that gives flavor to everything it touches. This is our strength and faith.”
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Sviatoslav presented Patrick Kelly with a patriarchal certificate during his solidarity visit to Ukraine on December 4–6, 2022.
“As a sign of recognition of your example of professional service to the Church in the status of the supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus order, your generous charitable donations to numerous social and philanthropic projects of our Church in support of the suffering people of Ukraine, for your selfless work in nurturing and protecting Christian values, we express our sincere gratitude to you, recognition and praise,” reads the certificate.
Thenceforth, those present prayed a memorial service for the repose of the soul of the newly deceased Yuriy Shevchuk.
The UGCC Department for Information
