Perspectief 2015-28

2015-28 The Church and Reconciliation: 9 Reag eer During the years of his ministry the priest has managed to turn the parish into a very vivid educational, social, missionary and cultural center, which attracts not only people from the Ukraine, but also foreigners from the whole world. The main building of the parish is “The Ark,” which hosts two churches, two big study auditoria, a library, a kitchen, a dining room and more than 25 guest rooms. Being a very open and hospitable place, “The Ark” annually hosts international Kyiv Summer Theological Universities organized by St Clement’s Center “Communion and Dialogue of Cultures,” ecumenical theological seminars, camps for handicapped children, camps for students and teachers of Kyiv Sunday schools, among other events. Thus, in about 15 years, the circle of the parish’s friends has become literally global. Defined by father Philaret’s attitude, the sermons and all activities in Lishnya’s parish have always been centered around Christ and his Church, which unites us, Christians. Love God and your neighbor, choose God’s ways and God’s truth and everything else will come along, move on in your repentance, which is the process of changing yourself for the better, and you’ll be able to make changes around you – those have always been the main points of emphasis. Coupled with the selfless life of the priest, this sounds truly persuasive, and people do reach for Lishnya. Villagers and residents of cities in Ukraine and elsewhere, the poor and the privileged enjoy trust, forgiveness, mercy in a reconciled community here and work together to transmit its spirit to other people. At that, those initiatives that take place in the parish are not all inspired and organized by the priest. Rather, he gives freedom to the parishioners who suggest them and fulfill with his support. Overall, all social, educational and cultural activities, which the parish has initiated or hosted, have always been thought of as a natural fulfillment of faith and not as instruments of any ideological propaganda. No political power active in the region was able to “buy” the support of the parish at the expense of its spiritual freedom in God. The parish in the context of the 2013-2014 protests in Kyiv and the ongoing war in the East This did not change when Maidan protests started in Kyiv. The main message of the parish priest to his flock at that time was: trust God and participate in the life of the Church; listen to your own conscience and act accordingly in the society; start any changes from personal