Here are some extracts from a Live interview of Father Bohdan on the Russian captivity who was in Zhyve Television studio. This is an interview lasting little more than an hour in the Ukrainian language, but the interview is transcribed into the English language for the wider audience. Kindly read the full interview by clicking the UGCC site. www.ugcc.ua/en
Over the past year and a half, we have worried a lot, prayed and waited to get news and information about our Redemptorist priests, Father Bohdan Geleta and Father Ivan Levytsky, who have been in Russian captivity for a year and a half. On June 28, the fathers were released from captivity.
When Fr Bohdan was welcomed by Zhyve TV, this is what he had to say, “And God wants me to, He pushes me to even bear witness to Him in various circumstances. And today, one of the circumstances of testimony is this testimony that I give, and Father Ivan also gives testimony about what we have experienced. Because it is not our merit, it is only the merit of the Lord God, it is a testimony. And the only testimony is that the Lord God loves us and wants to save us. Maybe I wanted to say a lot more, but I forgot what I wanted to say. The Lord knows.”
This is what Fr. Bohdan has to say his life and ministry in Berdiansk, “When the war started, for the first week Berdiansk seemed to have died out, as in science fiction movies, when some global catastrophe occurs and you walk around the city, there are no people, only wind and leaves on the streets. Something similar happened in Berdiansk. We walked through the city center with Father Ivan, and there were no people. And the city looked odd—all the shops were closed, all the people were frightened, all were scared. And then a week later, refugees began to arrive, travelling from Mariupol through Berdiansk to join a group in Berdiansk that was heading to Zaporizhzhia, to free Ukraine…”
Fr. Bohdan continues to share about the spiritual life of the place that continued in a normal way for nine months before their arrest. “Nothing was prohibited,” as he continues, “we prayed safely. But there were very few people. Because the majority, about 80 % of our parishioners, had fled. Although we can note a positive thing — there was renewal, there were other people who stayed, who were looking for some kind of salvation, looking for support, for something to help them survive in Berdiansk. And this part, well, mostly older people, although there were also young people, but they were few. This part went with Father Ivan to pray in the city center. They prayed a rosary by the sea. If anyone knows Berdiansk, there is a heart called “I love you, Berdiansk,” and they met and prayed there.
Later we hear of their arrest, detention and imprisonment. Fr Bohdan continues, “We were then transferred to another prison, the 77th colony in Berdiansk. And we were in this colony for about 5 months. I was moved to a solitary confinement where they put a speaker with music in my cell. And it was blaring Soviet songs all day long. I realized then how a person goes crazy, I realized why people commit suicide then. I realized what suicide is. And, of course, the Lord God helps, and He gives strength through prayer. God, Jesus Christ, Mary, and the angels were all present. Prayer was salvation. And as I was saying, I felt the prayer of the Church. Many people pray for our salvation. Father Ivan and I were there separately. When this time was over, 9 months in Berdiansk, we were put, we met for the first time, in a car, blindfolded, handcuffed, with sacks over our heads. We did not know where they took us, but we were in some basement for three more days, a transfer point. From this basement, we and a few soldiers, five of us, were transported to the Horlivka colony. There we were with prisoners of war for 10 months. We were not there for a year and a half, but a little more, a year and seven months.”
It was a testing time with the continuation of war but the good part was that there was nothing more than just letting God take control over the situation. Fr. Bohdan realizes the loving hand of God protecting and guiding them when he says, “But as for your question about prayer, about feelings, about the Lord, it’s so difficult to define, to explain how a person feels. Well, yes, a person feels this immense surge of joy—so immense that it’s beyond description. Because this isn’t just about a part of the people; it’s the whole Church, it’s the Glory of the Lord, it’s infinity. And to be in this vastness, to be just a grain of sand, and yet to know that the Lord God knows and cares about you, this grain of sand, and wants to use you for something—to make us instruments of love in the different situations of our lives that are waiting for us, waiting for you, waiting for me. We have to be ready for this, to help someone walk this path, to be saved, to be saved in the love of the Lord.”
We continue to hear from Fr. Bohdan with wonder and awe of his life and captivity in Russia but still he gives us hope to those living in Ukraine and migrated due to war as he says, “ I want to appeal to everyone: do not lose hope. If you are feeling sad, doubtful, or going through tragic situations in life, never lose hope. Try to turn to the Lord. Surrender yourself and your situation to Him so that He can be present in your life and dwell in your heart. He acts—He always acts—and He is always waiting for our decision, for us to say yes to Him, to give our consent. So pray, pray a lot, turn to God, change yourself, and change the world around you. Let the Lord God make us happy through His grace and fulfill His intentions for us. But remember, He cannot do anything without our consent. We must give Him our consent.
I am speaking as a priest, but I also address everyone, believers and non-believers alike. My message is a testimony to what Father Ivan and I experienced. These experiences happened for a reason—they are meant to help many people and give them hope. And hope is given by the Lord God. May the Lord God bless everyone!”
(Courtesy: The UGCC department)
