“We Are Called to Bear Witness to Holiness in the Church”: Father Ignatiy Moskalyuk on the Mission of Monasticism in Southern Ukraine
Recently, Bishop Mykhailo Bubniy appointed Fr. Ignatiy Moskalyuk, O. S. B. M., rector of the parish and monastery of St. Volodymyr in Kherson, as the new Syncellus for Monasticism of the Odesa Exarchate.
Father Ignatiy Moskalyuk will continue the work of his predecessor, undertaking responsibility for the further development of monastic life in the exarchate.
In an interview with the press service of the Odesa Exarchate, the hieromonk shared his impressions of his appointment, the challenges of monasticism in southern Ukraine, and his vision for its future in the Black Sea region.
“After the collapse of the Soviet Union, which promoted atheism, we notice that many people are not active churchgoers. We may often hear: ‘We are baptized, but we do not belong to any denomination.’ Such answers are very common in the south of Ukraine. And we, the monks, realize our duty to be a light to this world, to show the kindness and mercy of God with our own lives and ministry. The first challenge for monasticism in these lands is to be a role model of good Christian life,” Fr. Ignatiy Moskalyuk says.
He shared that “my first goal as syncellus for monasticism is to visit all the monasteries, communicate with the monks, listen to their proposals regarding the concept of monastic ministry in southern Ukraine, and become aware of the needs of the monasteries in a particular area, as well as to suggest more frequent meetings for monastics.”
“The role of monasticism in Christ’s Church is unique. We are called to witness to holiness in the Church. Although holiness is a broad sense, and each person follows their own path to it, other people’s lives can guide us in achieving it. Holiness does not mean that a person never sins or makes mistakes. A saint is someone who acknowledges their shortcomings, rises after each fall, seeks God’s grace, and, in partnership with God, continues to fulfill their mission in this world,” the hieromonk added.
The father said that “he has already visited several monasteries and spoken with the nuns about the vocation to monastic life.”
The UGCC Department for Information
