“Your heart beats in unison with the heart of grieving Ukraine,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav congratulates Cardinal Mykola Bychok on his 45th birthday
On February 13, Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, celebrates his 45th birthday. On this occasion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the UGCC, congratulated the bishop personally and on behalf of the Synod of Bishops.
In his congratulatory letter, His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed gratitude “to the Lord for the gift of your life and the many blessings He has bestowed upon you, which you have multiplied throughout your priestly and episcopal service to God and your native Church.”
“We prayerfully remember your parents, who gave you life, and your Redemptorist superiors, who guided you in faith and consecrated life. We thank God for the gift of Your vocation, which has been pouring out plentiful gifts to our Church over the years, and especially now that you are leading the government of the Melbourne Eparchy in faraway Australia,” said the Head of the UGCC.
He emphasized, “When a person’s heart is full of kindness, their words and deeds will reflect it.” The treasure of faith in Christ, who was embodied by the Virgin Mary, suffered out of love for people, and on the third day resurrected for us and our salvation, is the treasure that your martyr Church has passed on to you along with your vocation. Keep this treasure in your heart.”
“We pray that throughout all the days of your life and ministry you will draw from this gift for the sanctification and salvation of God’s people, who direct their spiritual gaze to You, heeding your words. May the faithful of our Church in Australia, priests, monks and nuns, as well as lay people, benefit from the kindness of your heart for their sanctification and salvation. May the Lord strengthen You in your cardinal ministry, to which you have been called by the Holy Father Francis. Be sure to count on our fraternal support and prayer,” added His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Father and Head of the UGCC noted that “today your heart beats in unison with the heart of grieving Ukraine, because you are so profoundly concerned with the war in your native lands.”
“We ask You to proclaim the truth about the pains and suffering of the Motherland on all platforms available to you, especially those granted to you as a cardinal of the Universal Church. For this you will have our deepest respect and gratitude. We are grateful for Your for involvement in the ministry of our ‘Wise Cause’, which aids the victims of the war in Ukraine,” the Patriarch thanked.
“Receive these words of greetings from the banks of our gray-haired Dnipro River in Kyiv, with which we wish you abundant God’s blessings and the assistance of the Holy Spirit in your ministry. May the Most Holy Mother of God and the saints of Ukraine intercede for you in all matters for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God, who is ‘compassionate and gracious, slow to anger’ (Psalm 103:8), fill your heart with joy and grant you strong health for many years to come!” the Head of the UGCC wished.
The UGCC Department for Information
