THE FIRST PERIOD OF ORGANISING ACTIVITIES OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE CENTRAL JUBILEE COMMITTEE OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE MILLENNIUM OF THE BAPTISM OF RUS’-UKRAINE

Abstract

The Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’-Ukraine was an event of great interest not only to the Ukrainian people but also to a large part of the global community. Unfortunately, it was not possible to organize a fitting celebration of the Jubilee in the homeland. However, in the diaspora, the hierarchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led by Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, began preparations for this event 10 years prior to its celebration. In this study, by working in the yet-to-becatalogued archive of Bishop Myroslav Stefan Marusyn of the Ukrainian Pontifical College of St. Josaphat in Rome, we highlight and analyse the activities of the Secretariat of the Central Jubilee Committee of the UGCC in commemoration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’-Ukraine during the first five years of its existence. The purpose of this article is to illuminate and analyse the period of preparation undertaken by the hierarchy and the faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for the grand Jubilee of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’- Ukraine. Special attention is given to the establishment of the Central Jubilee Committee of the UGCC and the activities of its Executive Secretariat under the leadership of Father Mykhailo Hrynchyshyn, CSsR. The methodological foundation of the study is based on the use of historical-documentary analysis during archival work and synchronous methods. The scientific novelty of our research lies in the processing and analysis of unpublished documents, communiqués, circulars, announcements, and letters from the Secretariat of the Central Jubilee Committee based in Winnipeg from 1978 to 1982. This will enable scholars, researchers, and all those interested in the topic of the Millennium of Ukraine’s Baptism to see in detail the preparatory events carried out by the bishops, clergy, and faithful of the UGCC under the patronage of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj. In preparing of this research and working with valuable and previously unpublished materials, we concluded that the chosen topic requires deeper scholarly review, particularly regarding the second half of the preparation period. The archives of individuals involved in the Jubilee celebrations contain valuable facts and testimonies from that era. Their analysis, digitization, and access to a wider audience interested in the subject will be essential steps in a comprehensive study of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’-Ukraine.