Kyiv pastor comments on effect of pontiff's visit to his church (07/15/01)

Kyiv pastor comments on effect of pontiff's visit to his church

Father Ihor Onyshkevych, the pastor and founder of Kyiv's 10-year-old Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra, was asked what kind of changes he anticipates in his parish after the visit of Pope John Paul II. Below are his comments.

Well, changes for the parish, changes for our spiritual life and changes for Ukraine. I think that our Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra stands on the grave of Askold, martyr for the Christian faith. We remember from long ago the great aristocratic cemetery, which was destroyed in 1935. For 70 years, its memory was being erased, but the people did not forget this holy place.

The gesture of the holy father in making the parish of St. Nicholas his first stop during his pilgrimage in Ukraine is a sign which speaks about the true holiness of our martyr Askold. The sign, that big sign from God, speaks to us about this holiness, since the holy martyr Askold isn't officially recognized in the archives. However, somewhere in memory, a long time ago this was supposedly announced, but there exists no confirmation of this today.

I believe that when the holy father comes here, the people also will come this church. They will experience great spiritual delight, grace and blessings from God ... The memory of the holy father's visit will gather many Christians here. and pilgrims from all parts of Ukraine and all parts of the world will come.

... we are blessed that we founded this parish, thanks to the blessing of Bishop Sofron Dmyterko together with the people, who went through hard times of persecution and suffering and were without a church. This church did not have a roof, cupola or crosses, so everyone walked past it.

But our people came here and started to pray. Oleksander Omelchenko, the mayor of our city, renovated this church and I, its founder, along with the parishioners of this renewed parish, did not believe that such a miracle could happen.

We don't often see such miracles. Ukraine is a miracle of God. The holy father's apostolic trip today is also a miracle. Well, and for our parishioners it is a miracle that he will be in our church on his first stop and will pray to the icon of the Mother of God [of Zarvanytsia]. This is a big miracle for our parish, and also for me personally and for my spiritual life. And for Ukraine we pray: "God, give us Your blessing and the protection of the Mother of God."

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