Resolutions of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

To the Glory of the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.

DECREE

I, MYKOLA,

Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne,

Hereby declare

That the following Resolutions of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which took place in Zarvanytsia, Ukraine on the 2–12 July, in the year of Our Lord 2024 are of special significance and as such should be understood and applied by the clergy, religious and faithful for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.

I. At the general church level:

To encourage the faithful of the UGCC:

1) to pass on the faith and bear witness to the Christian life in the family;

2) in accordance with Resolution 7, D, 3 of the 2015 Synod of Bishops and Resolution 6, C, 3 of the 2018 Synod of Bishops, to read the Word of God daily (e.g. the Gospel reading of the day);

3) to nurture the practice of common family prayer;

4) to have a common meal in the family on Sunday after the Divine Liturgy, and share the Word of God heard in the church.

II. Ask eparchial bishops:

1) to establish a Commission for Evangelisation in eparchies where this has not yet been done;

2) to introduce to ongoing priestly formation a special course on the proclamation of the kerygma according to the program of the Patriarchal Commission for Evangelisation;

3) to ensure that the annual retreats for priests and their wives have a kerygmatic dimension;

4) to nurture healthy popular piety through prayer vigils, pilgrimages, church singing, explanation of the meaning of icons for a deeper understanding of our spirituality;

5) to regulate the canonical status of existing lay communities and schools involved in evangelization in the eparchy (deaneries, parishes) and oversee their formation;

6) to instruct the heads of eparchial Commissions for Evangelisation to engage appropriately trained lay faithful in evangelization projects in the eparchy.

III. To task the clergy:

1) with using every opportunity for a kerygmatic proclamation of the Gospel in the context of the celebration of the 2025 Jubilee Year;

2) by delivering a daily short kerygmatic homily during the Divine Liturgy based on the texts of the Gospel and the Epistle as proclaimed at the Divine Liturgy, in accordance with Resolution 7, D, 1 of the Synod of Bishops of 2015;

3) by regularly conducting the Lectio Divina of the Holy Scriptures in the parish community;

4) by offering a reading and brief commentary on a text of the Holy Scriptures at the beginning of all parish community meetings;

5) by regularly explaining worship services, church rites and traditions to the faithful in an evangelical manner, based on materials developed by the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission, in accordance with resolution 7, F, 3 of the Synod of Bishops of 2012;

6) by evangelising and proclaiming the Word of God during the celebration of the Holy Mysteries (sacraments), paraliturgical services, blessings etc, in accordance with Resolution 7, D, 1 of the Synod of Bishops of 2012;

7) by encouraging existing and, if necessary, creating new parish communities to receive and accompany newly evangelised and newly converted persons for their growth in faith; by directing animators of these communities to the eparchial commission for evangelization for training;

8) by encouraging existing and creating new parish communities to pray for preachers of the Gospel and for the development of the evangelical mission of our Church;

9) by conducting annual parish kerygmatic retreats and missions, enlisting the cooperation of persons who have such experience;

10) by evangelising through works of mercy, providing help to those in need.

Eparch of Melbourne

Chancellor

at our Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul,

on the 19^th day of August, in the Year of Our Lord 2024,

the Holy Martyrs Andrew the Centurion and others with him