“When a person repents, God always comes to meet him.” Bishop Mykola Bychok in Sokal, Ukraine

The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided over by Bishop Mykhail Koltun, Eparch of Sokal-Zhovkva, with the co-celebrating of Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne; Bishop Mykhailo Bubnii, Exarch of Odesa; Bishop Petro Loza, Assistant Bishop of the Eparchy of Sokal-Zhovkva; Parish Priest of the cathedral church, Fr. Yaroslav Kashchuk; protopresbyters of the Eparchy of Sokal-Zhovkva; and invited priests.

Addressing the clergy and the faithful with pastoral words, Bishop Mykola shared his thoughts on the vocation of the apostles. “Today we celebrate the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul. We remember two giants of the spirit who were different but united by unity in Christ. Two different people who had one thing in common were talking about Christ. We each have our own path to God, and everyone has a turning point in their lives when they get to know Him. God comes to meet a person in order to lead him to the Kingdom of God, not doing violence to them but only encouraging them. When a person repents, God always comes to meet him.”

Concluding his spiritual speech, Bishop Mykola called for a meeting with God through the Holy Sacraments and wished that, through the prayers of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the Lord would grant our country the long-awaited peace.

At the end of the service, Bishop Mykhail gave a word of thanks; among other things, he thanked the bishops who co-celebrated him that day, noting that the support of other bishops strengthens the spirit of unity and solidarity in the entire Church.

Press office of the Sokal-Zhovkva Eparchy

See also

December 2 Bishop Mykola received the highest award from the Sovereign Order of Malta December 2 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Rome November 29 Public consistory and elevation of Bishop Mykola Bychok to the dignity of cardinal, December 7