On Sunday, September 24, 2023, with the participation of the assistant bishop of the Lviv Archdiocese, Bishop Volodymyr, an evening of memory of the newest Hero of Ukraine Stepan Cholach was held in the city of Krakow, who died during the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Bishop Volodymyr together with the administrator of the parish of St. Nicholas in Krakow, Fr. Yaroslav Zarychanskyi and the clergy performed the Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos.
During the prayer, the bishop addressed a spiritual word to the family of the fallen hero and the residents of Krakow.
“When we remember the Good Friday of 2022 in Kraków, we remember that there were mixed feelings here, because we accompanied our hero Stepan Cholac to eternity. We are stereotypically used to say, consciously or subconsciously, that heroes do not die. But we’ve seen heroes die. But dying, they are resurrected. Krakow’s Good Friday later turned into Easter. This resurrection of the then Good Friday is this day, which is a celebration of life,” said the assistant bishop of the Lviv Archdiocese.
“Stepan Čolach is resurrected today in our memory, imagination and prayer. I think that first of all he is before the eyes of Mrs. Oksana, children, family, and also all of us present here who knew him. Maybe he didn’t always share his opinion, or he shared it with other people, because a person has the right to his opinion. In the end, he gave the most precious thing – his life for us, for our future,” the bishop added.
Bishop Volodymyr also reminded that the idea of renaming the square after the newest hero arose on the day of the funeral, it became a dream and on this day it was finally realized.
“We have another dream, that Mrs. Oksana would gather us for a family caroling,” reminded Bishop Volodymyr.
“Here in Krakow,” says the bishop, “Resurrection dominates.” People who are conscientious Christians live here. Those who know how to preserve memory, try to be optimistic, good people live here. They are also socially engaged in our common victory, know and understand what our native Church is. Because the Church is also our mother.”
“That’s why today we also have a continuation of our prayers, with which we crown the memory of our newest local Hero – Stepan Cholac. He is not from distant history, he is one of us. When we cross this square, we will touch him personally,” said Bishop Volodymyr.
Therefore, the bishop consecrated a memorial sign on the square named after the newest hero and a monument at the place of burial.
The evening “Fight – you will win…” ended with the reflections of the wife of the fallen hero, Ms. Oksana Cholach, accompanied by music and prayer in the People’s House, refreshments and conversation.
Information Department of the UGCC
according to the materials of the press service of the Lviv Archdiocese of the UGCC