Each month, a "Question of the Month" and its corresponding answer will be posted below. We encourage you to submit any suggested "Questions of the Month" to us via our email address ICUkrainianCatholic@yahoo.com .

One question will be chosen each month to be posted with its corresponding answer.

We hope that you revisit our site at least once a month to review the new "Question of the Month". More importantly, we hope that your understanding of your faith increases from this experience.

Thank you for your participation.


INDEX

March 2010 - Re: Largest banned Church in the world
February 2010 - Re: Names of the Original 12 Apostles
January 2010 - Re: 3 Kings / Wise Men

December 2009 - Re: 1st American born saint
November 2009 - Re: Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate
October 2009 - Re: Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 2009 - Re: 1st Ukrainian Catholic Bishop in the USA
August 2009 - Re: 1st Pope buried in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
July 2009 - Re: Ascetic
June 2009 - Re: Incarnation
May 2009 - Re: Vestment Colors
April 2009 - Re: Abstinence vs. Fasting
March 2009 - Re: The origin of the word "Sorokousty"
February 2009 - Re: Sunday of Orthodoxy
January 2009 - Re: Caroling during Advent / Pylypivka

ARCHIVED QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004

ARCHIVED QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH 2005, 2006,2007 & 2008



QUESTION OF THE MONTH #111 (March 2010)

Question:

I heard someone say that the Ukrainian Catholic Church was the "largest banned Church in the world". Is that true and when did that occur? (D.S., Randolph, NJ)

Answer:

Yes, from 1946 to 1989, the Ukrainian Catholic Church was the largest banned Church in the world. The USSR government seized all Ukrainian Catholic premises in March of 1946 and transferred them to the Russian Orthodox Church. During June of 1945, the USSR government arrested the Ukrainian Catholic bishops and the appointed administrators of the eparchies.

After the Ukrainian Catholic Church was liberated in 1989, the Holy See in Rome officially recognized ten new Ukrainian Catholic bishops. At the same time, Pope John Paul II installed Roman Catholic bishops in Ukraine which were associated with Roman Catholic dioceses. By God's grace, Pope John Paul II visited Ukraine in June 2001.

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QUESTION OF THE MONTH #110 (February 2010)

Question:

What were the names of the original 12 Apostles? (J.P. Union, NJ)

Answer:

The names of the original 12 Apostles are:

  • Peter (a.k.a. Simon Peter)
  • Andrew (brother of Peter)
  • Bartholomew
  • James, the son of Zebedee
  • Judas Iscariot (who was later replaced by Matthias)
  • John the Theologian
  • Thomas
  • James, the son of Alphaeus
  • Philip
  • Matthew
  • Simon the Canaanite
  • Jude

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #109 (January 2010)

    Question:

    What were the names of the 3 Kings / Wisemen? (J.S., Whippany, NJ)

    Answer:

    The names of the 3 Wisemen (a.k.a. the 3 Kings, Magi) are as follows: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They followed the star above Bethlehem to find baby Jesus. The 3 Wisemen reached Jesus on January 6th -- which is the feast of Epiphany.

    In certain cultures (e.g. in Latin America), the feast of the Epiphany is when children receive their gifts -- in honor of the Wisemen finding baby Jesus. In the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Epiphany is also celebrated on January 6th but the holyday commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #108 (December 2009)

    Question:

    Who was the first American born saint? (S.B. New York City, NY)

    Answer:

    Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first American born saint. She was born in 1774 and died in 1821. She was born into a prominent Episcopalian family but converted to Catholicism in 1805. Elizabeth was married and had five children. She became a widow in 1803.

    Mother Seton opened the first American Catholic school in Baltimore in 1808. She is known as the "foundress of the Catholic school system in the USA". She also established the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1809. The Sisters of Charity opened numerous schools and orphanages.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #107 (November 2009)

    Question:

    I am Roman Catholic and I remember attending a Ukrainian Catholic pilgrimage in Sloatsburg, NY during the summer. Which order of Sisters ran that pilgrimage? (J.C., Newark, NJ)

    Answer:

    The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate have hosted the Holy Dormition Pilgrimage at St. Mary's Villa in Sloatsburg, NY since August 14, 1955. On that day over 3,000 pilgrims took part in the devotion to the Blessed Mother. Each August since then, thousands of faithful continue to gather for a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, confessions, prayer services, youth discussions and reflections at the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto and the outdoor Way of the Cross.

    Being Roman Catholic, you will recognize the Dormition of the Mother of God holyday as the feast of the Assumption.

    The order of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate was founded by Sister Josaphata Hordashevska in Zhuzhel,Halychyna (Galicia), western Ukraine on August 27, 1892 which was the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #106 (October 2009)

    Question:

    What are the words sung during the celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross? (D.M., Morris Plains, NJ)

    Answer:

    The priest and the congregation sing the following words (in Ukrainian & English) on the Holyday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross:

    Khrestu Tvoyemu poklonyayemsya, Vladyko, i svyate Voskresinnya Tvoye slavymo.
    We bow in worship to Your Holy Cross, o Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

    This Holyday commemorates when St. Helena found the true cross that Christ died on. St. Macarius held the cross up for all the people to see.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #105 (September 2009)

    Question:

    Who was the first Ukrainian Catholic Bishop in the USA? (P.S., Fanwood, NJ)

    Answer:

    The Ukrainian Catholics and Rusyn Catholics (a.k.a. Ruthenian Catholics, a.k.a. Byzantine Catholics) were given their own bishop in the USA in 1907 -- Bishop Soter Ortynsky, OSBM. He died on March 24, 1916.

    The bishop position was vacant until 1924. At that point, the exarchate was divided into two: The Ukrainian Catholic exarchate of Philadelphia, PA, led by Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky,.........and.......... the Rusyn (a.k.a. Ruthenian or Byzantine) Catholic exarchate of Pittsburgh, PA., led by Bishop Basil Takach.

    It is interesting to note that the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Rusyn Catholic (a.k.a. Ruthenian Catholic, a.k.a. Byzantine Catholic) Church in the USA were united from 1907 to 1924 -- before the 2 separate exarchates were created.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #104 (August 2009)

    Question:

    Who was the first pope buried at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome? (A.S. Whippany, NJ)

    Answer:

    Pope Leo the Great, in the year 461, was the first pope to buried at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

    It is interesting to note that Pope Leo the Great is known for his stance on papal primacy. At that time, some of the Eastern churches argued that their patriarchs had equal authority to that of the bishop of Rome. However, Pope Leo the Great reaffirmed the primacy of the bishop of Rome based on Jesus' words (Matthew 16:18)...."And so I tell you: you are a rock, Peter, and on this rock foundation I will build my church...."

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #103 (July 2009)

    Question:

    What is an ascetic? (S.K., Westfield, NJ)

    Answer:

    An "ascetic" is a person who leads a pious and austere life. Typically, the person renounces material comforts as an act of spiritual devotion.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #102 (June 2009)

    Question:

    What does Incarnation mean?(S.T. New Haven, CT)

    Answer:

    Incarnation, which literally means "embodied in flesh", is God's becoming human as Jesus Christ. Thus, the divine nature of the Son of God was perfectly united with the human nature in one divine Person.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #101 (May 2009)

    Question:

    What are the different colors of the vestments that a priest wears? When are they used and what is the symbolism of the colors? Are the altarboys vestments always the same color of the priest's vestments?(D.S. Westfield, NJ)

    Answer:

    The usage of various colors for priestly vestments (and for that matter even of the altar linens) during the liturgical year reflects the “seasons” of the liturgical year. Altarboys’ vestments should also be the same as the priest’s. The colors that are used are telling in that they are a concrete sign of what season of the liturgical year one finds himself in.

    What do I mean by this? For example, consider the vestment colors used in the season of the Great Fast (Lent). The prominent colors used are shades like deep red, similar to a burgundy color, purple and even in some places black. These shades are strong and very severe emphasizing the spirit of the season of Lent – a time of intense prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It tells us how we as faithful Christians are to be severe with ourselves in becoming more Christ-like by making Lent a time of intense reflection and strict personal scrutiny so that at the end of the season, namely reaching Pascha (Resurrection or Easter Sunday), the way we live and conduct ourselves is closer to the heart of Christ. This season allows us the time and opportunity to reflect on our lives and on those areas of of our lives that need healing and improving. These same shades are used in the time of St. Philip’s Fast (Advent) since it also is a time of fasting and preparation for the Birth of our Savior on Christmas Day, though black is not used. The Christmas Fast, known also as the Winter Fast is less severe in spirit than Lent, known as the Spring Fast. The Church will utilize these colors to impress on us that we are in a special time or season of the liturgical year.

    The season of Easter, which extends from Easter Sunday through Ascension Thursday, is considered a time of great and glorious celebration; this spirit is reflected in the colors used which are bright and brilliant, namely, bright white, light gold and even silvers. Because Pascha is the very heart and foundation of our Faith as life eternal and Paradise is granted to us, though we are sinners, we celebrate by vesting in such colors. A spirit of lightness is displayed in the usage of such colors and then the constant sings of the Resurrection Hymn, “Christ is risen...” adds to this triumphant atmosphere.

    The season of Pentecost, which begins on Pentecost Sunday and lasts for several weeks afterwards, is noted as the time of the Holy Spirit, who is life-giving and life-restoring. This notion of how invigorating the Spirit is us to us Christians is reflected by using the color green, as green implies a newness of life, something refreshing and full of life. Fabrics that are flowery also can be used as Pentecost implies the “fullness of life” that the Spirit endows us with. The Holy Spirit fills us up with life and warmth and a newness that only God can give – a newness that is lasting. Pentecost Sunday, among Ukrainians is even called the “Green Feast” (Zelenij Sviata).

    Colors such as shades of blue are commonly used in the months of May and October, which implies the honor given to Mary, the Mother of God. This practice of using blue is most common in North America.

    The other times of the calendar year, the color most used are darker shades of gold, as gold implies also a notion of celebration, especially on the Sundays throughout the year, since every Sunday is considered a “little Easter.” Sunday is the Lord’s Day on which Christians still reflect on God’s saving plan, which was fulfilled and accomplished on Easter Sunday.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #100 (April 2009)

    Question:

    What is the difference between Abstinence vs. Fasting?(P.S. Fanwood, NJ)

    Answer:

    The difference between fasting and abstinence is actually a subtle one, as it is understood today. Generally speaking, the Church prescribes for the period of the Great Fast (Lent) and even St. Philip’s Fast (Advent), both forty day periods, forty days of fasting, i.e. no eating of flesh meats (all meats and poultry) and dairy products (butter, cheese, eggs, milk) and any other products that are cooked or prepared with these food items. In the very strict sense, during these two periods plus a few others during the year (such as St. Peter’s Fast, before the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, the Spasiwka Fast, before the feast of our Lord’s Transfiguration and the Assumption Fast before our Lady’s Holy Dormition) are times when we SHOULD also fast from these foods. Why forty days? This is simply taken from Jesus’ fasting after his Baptism when he fasted 40 days and nights in the desert before He began his earthly ministry among the peoples.

    Technically and strictly speaking, all the periods of fasting in the Church are times when no meats and dairy goods are to be consumed. However, in time these regulations have been lessened because of various circumstances, especially evident in the Western world. Because of this and other reasons, the differentiation between the terms fasting and abstinence developed. I will try to explain this as simply as possible.

    In today's time, the BLACK FAST, which means total fasting of all meats and dairy products, has been allotted for the first day of Lent, namely on the Monday after Cheesefare Sunday (in the Eastern Churches) and Ash Wednesday (in the Western Church) and Good Friday in both Churches. What once was known as fasting (in the strictest sense of no meats and dairy products AT ALL) has now come to be understood as the BLACK FAST, which is now obligatory on the two days mentioned above.

    Abstinence, which is a lesser form of strict fasting, now means no consumption of meat products ONLY, and dairy products are allowed to be eaten. All Fridays in the year, in the Eastern Churches, are days of abstinence from meats and it is encouraged and recommended to do the same on every Wednesday of Lent too, though this is not obligatory.

    Also what else has developed is simple abstinence which is a lesser form of abstinence, which involves abstaining from a certain meal in a given day, e.g. not eating breakfast or lunch on a given day like Wednesdays in Lent or eating a very light dinner.

    What once was very simple (fasting from meats and dairy products all throughout Lent or Advent) has developed into a rather elaborate and more complex way of making these sacrifices in Lent and Advent. The main overarching aim for any of these periods of fasting is that do the sacrifices we make bring us closer to living a life of Christ; Are we more like Him and God? These practices are seen as vehicles to strengthen one's resolve to be able to say “NO” to essential moral issues that may lead us into sin. By being able to strengthen oneself through physical discipline, one develops the wherewithal to conquer the spiritual illnesses and dilemmas of the heart, mind and spirit. The discipline of being able to curtail our dietary appetites can lead one to be stronger in saying “NO” to sin. This is most important to any faithful Christian.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #99 (March 2009)

    Question:

    Where does the word "Sorokousty" come from?(O.S. Hillside, NJ)

    Answer:

    The word "Sorokousty" literally means "forty mouths" (sorok = forty; ust = mouth). Originally, this was a prayer service offered by forty mouths or by forty priests. Historically, families would honor their deceased by holding services for them in the cathedrals on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day after their death -- with 40 priests celebrating the services. Today, Sorokousty is the service that honors the deceased and is offered during Lent.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #98 (February 2009)

    Question:

    What is the Sunday of Orthodoxy? Is that only for the Orthodox to celebrate?(J.S. Whippany, NJ)

    Answer:

    As Ukrainian Catholics, we celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy. On this day, which occurs on the first Sunday of Lent, we thank God for all of the beautiful icons that we have in our churches. In some churches, people bring their own icons to church and process with them.

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    QUESTION OF THE MONTH #97 (January 2009)

    Question:

    Is it proper to sing English Christmas carols in the church before Christmas? Or Ukrainian carols during the month of December before the 24th? (C.H., Winnipeg, Manitoba)

    Answer:

    Please read the article below which was written by Archpriest Charles Mezzomo and his reflections on topics similar to the question given on the subject of the Christmas fast (Pylypivka). Personally, some restraint in partying and celebrating should be taken – though I think little bit of socializing and caroling would be fine especially in the diverse society we live in here in the West (e.g. Caroling at a children's St. Nicholas Party in early December). Please note that Carols should not be sung during Liturgy until Christmas Eve services. Remember that Pylypivka is a time to spiritually prepare for Christmas, which implies the great celebration begins the day of and following the feast day.

    PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD!

    Since 15 November, we have been observing Christmas Lent. In Ukrainian, we call it Pylypivka because it begins the day after St. Philip’s day, 14 November. It lasts for 40 days, until Christmas Eve. The western Church calls it Advent, the season of the coming of the Lord. It is a time of intense spiritual preparation for the feasts of the Nativity (Christmas) and Theophany (the Baptism of our Lord.) We observe it by fasting and a good Confession and Communion.

    The western Church’s Advent is very rich liturgically. Each and every day has its own texts for the Mass and Divine Liturgy. There are 2 sets of hymns (early and late Advent) and a rich selection of scripture and patristic readings. Our Church, in this one instance, has a less abundant liturgical tradition for this season. When other churches have 4 (Roman) or 6 (Syriac and Ambrosian) Sundays, we have just 2: the Forefathers and the Genealogy. As regards weekday services, there are basically just the ones for the Great Vigil of Christmas (20-24 December.)

    How can we “prepare the way of the Lord” within our own Byzantine-Ukrainian tradition?

    Here are a few suggestions:

    · Keep the fast at least on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and of course on Christmas Eve.
    · Prepare well for a good, holy and worthy Confession and Holy Communion.
    · Aid the poor and needy with gifts of kindness, perhaps donating to a local food bank.
    · Don’t observe the Christmas festivities before Christmas. Parties with abundant eating and drinking belong in the post-feast, not in the fast.
    · Pray intensely and do some good spiritual reading: perhaps the books of Ruth and Micah in the Old Testament. Another good book would be The Day Christ Was Born by Jim Bishop. It’s short, easy reading and very informative.

    Good preparation will insure good celebration. If we observe Christmas Lent in the proper way, we will properly “prepare the way of the Lord.” (Is. 40:3.)

    Archpriest Charles Mezzomo

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