UOC-U.S.A. recalls Patriarch Mstyslav (07/21/02)

UOC-U.S.A. recalls Patriarch Mstyslav

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. - Archbishop Antony, the ruling bishop of the Eastern Eparchy and the President of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., assisted by Protopresbyter Frank Estocin, the Very Rev. Yurij Siwko, Hieromonk Daniel, Father Ivan Lymar, in the presence of the Consistory workers and several dozen faithful gathered in Holy Resurrection Mausoleum at the crypt of Patriarch Mstyslav for a panakhyda service for the repose of the servant of God, Patriarch Mstyslav, who had died nine years ago, on June 11, 1993.

The words of the prayer service, the melodies of the Byzantine chant and the prayerful atmosphere brought to remembrance the monumental personality of the first patriarch of independent Ukraine and the metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the diaspora. Protopresbyter Estocin addressed the faithful in the crypt with words that concentrated on the personality of the late Patriarch Mstyslav and the meaning of prayer in daily life.

In his farewell address at the patriarch's funeral, Metropolitan Constantine compared the repose of the Patriarch Mstyslav to the words that were said when our forefathers of old were experiencing a difficult period in history, when Nestor the Chronicler turned to God and cried out in sadness saying: "The sun of the land of the people of Rus' has paled." That was said centuries ago and repeated nine years ago. Today, the land of independent Ukraine and the diaspora repeat the same words.

Protopresbyter Estocin in his remarks noted: that when Metropolitan Mstyslav became patriarch of Kyiv and All Ukraine, he devoted all of his experience and strength to the cause of fortifying and establishing an independent Ukrainian Church. His vision was one of undivided unity based on prayer, love and mutual forgiveness. Today, nine years after his repose, his vision is still struggling in independent Ukraine; his spirit of love for freedom and unity seems to disappear among the various jurisdictions of the Orthodoxy in Ukraine and the diaspora.

Patriarch Mstyslav was a man of faith and respect to which not only the faithful of our Church but also the numerous hierarchs and representatives of various religious faith communities and ecclesiastical bodies bore witness by their presence at his burial services.

At the end of the memorial service, Archbishop Antony thanked the faithful for their memory and prayers for the reposed patriarch, noting that he remains in our hearts and memories as that living light that illumines the way for united Ukrainian Orthodox Christians on their journey to the Kingdom of God.

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