On Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Korolevo, in Ukrainian Transcarpathia, the local Eparch, Mons. Teodor Matsapula, Bishop of Mukachevo, celebrated the Holy Mass in the presence of 21 Redemptorists from two countries – Slovakia and Ukraine – and a church packed with faithful. In his homily, the Bishop expressed gratitude for the 29 years of presence of the Slovak Redemptorists in the territory of the Eparchy of Mukachevo.
This mission was initiated by two Redemptorist Fathers: Fr. Štefan Ištvanik CSsR and Fr. Ján Čuchráč CSsR. When they arrived in Korolevo in August 1996, they lived in two rooms, where “instead of a door there was only a sheet hanging on the frame.” The building where they lived was a guesthouse purchased with the intention of gradually transforming it into a monastery. A chapel was soon added to the two rooms, used for prayer by the faithful. However, the space soon proved insufficient, and so on July 7, 1998, when Mgr. Ivan Semedi consecrated the monastery, he also blessed the cornerstone of the future church, which later, at the time of consecration, was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
Over the years, the first two Redemptorist confreres were replaced by other members of the Vice-Province of Michalovce: Fr. Cyril Bučko CSsR, Fr. Juraj Rak CSsR, deacon Fr. Pavlo Hoherčák CSsR, Fr. Ondrej Pacák CSsR, Fr. Tomáš Smoleňák CSsR, Fr. Marek Kriška CSsR, and Fr. Anton Verbovský CSsR. However, after almost 30 years, the time has come to ask for the help and cooperation of the Redemptorists of the Lviv Province.
During the celebration of March 2, 2025, Bishop Teodor welcomed with joy and hope the Ukrainian Redemptorists of the Lviv Province, who are coming to work in the territory of Ukrainian Transcarpathia for the first time. “The charism of the Redemptorists continues in our Eparchy and I am extremely happy about it,” said Bishop Teodor. The Redemptorist community, composed of three confreres, was inaugurated by Fr. Volodimir Boreiko CSsR, Provincial Superior of Lviv.
At the end of the Archbishop Liturgy, the Vice Provincial Superior, Fr. Miroslav Bujdoš CSsR, expressed heartfelt thanks to the faithful, saying: “Dear faithful, we thank you for welcoming us, because among you we were able, can and will be able to live our religious life as Redemptorists. Thank you.”
It should also be emphasized that the Slovak Redemptorists from the Vice-Province of Michalovce will continue their mission in Uzhhorod, in the monastery of St. Gerard, in the parish of St. George the Great Martyr, in the settlement of Červenica.
May God bless the missionaries in the territory of Ukraine.
Miroslav Bujdoš CSsR
Photo: fr. Krupyak Vasyl CSsR / FB Греко-Католицьке Закарпаття
