Ukrainian Personal Parish Proclaimed in Cyprus
Bruno Varriano, the newly ordained Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Patriarchal Vicar of Cyprus, served a liturgy in the Church of the Holy Cross in Nicosia. Bishop Stepan Sus, Head of the Pastoral Migration Department of the UGCC, concelebrated with him along with 35 bishops from different countries who came to attend the ordination.
The Pastoral and Migration Department of the UGCC reports.
The Liturgy was attended by UGCC priests Fr. Andriy Gakh, Fr. Vasyl Zakharus, and Fr. Ihor Posolenyk, along with UGCC faithful living in Cyprus.
During the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Bruno Varriano announced the establishment of a Ukrainian parish in Cyprus. At the end of the Liturgy, Archbishop Selim Sfeir, Archbishop of Maronites in Cyprus proclaimed the establishment of a personal parish of the UGCC in Cyprus with its seat in Nicosia. According to the decree, Fr. Vasyl Zakharus was appointed parish rector, who has been providing spiritual care to Ukrainian Greek Catholics permanently on the island since January 2021.
After the Liturgy, Bishop Stepan and the priests met and spoke with the Ukrainians who attended the Liturgy. The bishop congratulated the faithful on the official proclamation of the Ukrainian parish and extended his wishes for further growth and development to the community.
Fr. Vasyl celebrated his first Liturgy for Ukrainians in Cyprus during Christmas in 2012, and he has returned to the island for major holidays since then. UGCC priests Fr. Andriy Poltoratsky and Fr. Taras Ostafiyiv have also served on the island at various times. Currently, there are five Ukrainian communities in Cyprus, where Fr. Vasyl regularly conducts Sunday services attended by over 100 people.
The UGCC Department for Information
