risu.org.ua - On Sunday, 14 July 2013, on the eve of the feast of the holy equal to the apostles Great Prince Volodymyr (new calendar), the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma held an all-eparchial pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Holy Cross at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Youngstown, Ohio, USA, Department of Information of the UGCC informs.
The pilgrimage took place on the occasion of the Year of Faith and the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine under the leadership of Bishop John Bura, Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma. Bishop George Murry, SJ of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown also partook in the pilgrimage as well as many clergy and numerous lay people.
The pilgrimage commenced with Moleben to the holy equal to the apostles Great Prince Volodymyr, which was followed by a Lesser Sanctification of Water and a Renewal of baptismal promises. Afterwards Bishop John addressed the pilgrims with his paternal word. In his homily, the bishop stressed the importance of being grateful to God and St. Volodymyr for the gift of the Ukrainian Church. Bishop John equally encouraged all the faithful to be active and responsible members of the Church, so as to be able to pass this gift unto the ages of ages. At the end, the hierarch thanked the Administrator of the parish and the shrine, Fr. Lubomyr Zhybak and his parishioners for having organized the pilgrimage as well as directed his words of gratitude to Bishop George, the clergy and all the faithful for their participation in the pilgrimage.
Reference: The Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Youngstown, Ohio, USA was founded in 1911. In 1986, on the occasion of the 75th parish anniversary and the millennial anniversary of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine, the Shrine of the Holy Cross was erected through the sacrificial efforts of parishioners and their long-time pastor, Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest Leo Adamiak, who died in March 2010. From January 2013 the parish and the shrine has been taken care of by Fr. Lubomyr Zhybak.