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On November 10, 2002 members of the Resurrection and Nativity congregations in Kyiv remembered millions of Ukrainian Christians who fell victims of man-made famines and repressions afflicted upon our people in the last century. After the worship service they put flowers to the memorial cross to victims of famine in 1932/33 that is near the recently renewed St. Michael's Golden Domed Cathedral.
On October 6, 2002 in the town of Olexandriya, Kirovohrad region, deacon Olexandr Dich was ordained and installed to serve as pastor of the local ULC congregate. Vice Bishop of the ULC Andriy Honcharuk, Head of Kyiv Eparchy Yuriy Fizer, rector of St. Sophia's Seminary professor David J. Webber, pastor of the ULC congregation in Zaporizhzhya Serhiy Zuyev, and guests from other ULC congregations participated in the ordination worship service. After the worship service pastor Olexandr Dich accepted greetings from members of the congregation, present guests, his wife and children.
October 2, 2002 a printing unit of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church was consecrated. The ceremony was conducted by the ULC Bishop V'yacheslav Horpynchuk and pastor Taras Kokovsky. Executive director of the Thoughts of Faith organization Mr. Kermit Traska, Volodymyr Cherevko, Ihor Rudzik, Vasyl Korshak were present there. Rev. Horpynchuk together with Mr. Traska pushed the button"start". This event is a hallmark for the Ukrainian Lutheran Church. It recommenced work of the printing house founded by Rev. Theodor Yarchuk in the 30s of the last century and later destroyed by the communist regime. The ULC Bishop supported an idea to organize a Lutheran printing house under the name Doctor Luther Press. The idea was put forward by the ULC Secretary Ihor Rudzik. This name was approved by those present at the consecration. We praise God for His blessings and the opportunity to start the ULC printing house.
On September 27, 2002 there was consecration of the cross in front of the Holy Cross church in the town of Kremenets, Western Ukraine. The ceremony was held by the ULC Bishop V'yacheslav Horpynchuk, Vice Bishop Andriy Honcharuk, Head of Galician Eparchate pastor Taras Kokovsky, Head of Tavrian Eparchate pastor Oleh Stetsiuk, Rector of the Seminary David Jay Webber, Professor Roger Kovacini, pastor Joel Racos, and pastor Serhiy Somin. Pastor Serhiy Zuyev, pastor Oleh Yuhkymenko, and faithful of the ULC participated in the event. The church building was purchased and reconstructed by the congregation. Now a nice building of the Lutheran church is in the historical center of Kremenets.
On September 26, 2002 a regular meeting of the ULC Synodical Council took place in Kremenets, Western Ukraine. It was held in a small conference hall of the reconstructed church premises of the Holy Cross Lutheran congregation. Members of the Holy Cross congregation and the ULC Synod members participated in the meeting. Those intived were Thoughts of Faith executive director Mr. Kermit Traska, pastors, members of other ULC congregations, and guests from the US who arrived in Ukraine on a sightseeing tour. The Synodical meeting considered current issues of the church activities. We thank God for His generous blessings for Kremenets congregation of the Holy Cross and for the Synodical meeting of the ULC.
On September 15 ordination of Oleh Okrugin took place. Ordination Service was led by the Ukrainian Lutheran Church Bishop Vyacheslav Horpynchuk. His Assistant was Pastor Yuriy Fizer, the Kyivan Eparchy Head. Pastor Oleh Okrugin will serve as Assistant Pastor in the Resurrection Lutheran Church and as Pastor of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Kyiv. Pictures: During the Ordination Service.
On September 11 pastor Fizer conducted vespers in the ULC office. The Church prayed the Lord for different requests, especially for people in the United States and Ukraine. "The LORD is their strength, and he is the
saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine
inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever" (Psalm
28:8-9)
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