Metropolitan's Palace in Lviv renovated for papal visit

by Zenon Zawada
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

LVIV - It was at the crosshairs of two world wars and survived the atheistic, overtly anti-Catholic, Soviet regime. Yet for 130 years, St. George's Cathedral never underwent renovation. Until, of course, the Vatican announced that Pope John Paul II would spend two nights there.

To prepare for the pope's historic visit, the Ukrainian government invested about $1.5 million to improve the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Cathedral's exterior and completely renovate the Metropolitan's Palace, where the pope and his entourage will reside.

"The most important thing was to demonstrate that this palace is an appropriate residence for the Church's leader and important guests of our cardinal," said Mykola Prokopovych, chief architect of the renovation.

Ukrainian construction companies performed the renovation in just three months, with several shifts rotating over 16 hours daily, and even Sundays when the church permitted.

"These types of projects require a year, at a minimum," Mr. Prokopovych said. "But we recognized its serious nature and responsibility. We've demonstrated that Ukrainians know how to work."

The Metropolitan's Palace, the residence of Major Archbishop Lubomyr Husar, is now fitted with modern electric, heating and plumbing systems.

For the first time it has two elevators, specifically installed to address the pope's needs.

The pope will stay in a three-room wing on the palace's first floor. Windows from his chambers, which include a bedroom and study, will offer a beautiful view of Lviv's center, Mr. Prokopovych said.

During his stay at St. George's, Pope John Paul II will enjoy European soups with a domestic, Ukrainian flavor, said the Rev. Ivan Kravchiv, who is preparing the palace for the pope.

As a gift, St. George will present the pope with an icon of Our Lady of Vyshhorod.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 24, 2001, No. 25, Vol. LXIX

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