30th Moleben for the causes to be held at Cathedral
PITTSBURGH, PA — The Archieparchial Office of Beati- fication and Canonization will mark its 30th Annual Prayer Service for the Causes of Beatification and Canonization for the four Holy Ruthenian Hierarchs of Subcarpathian Ruthenia in Eastern Europe.
This year’s liturgical celebration will take place on Sunday October 30 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. in conjunction with the final days of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, declared by Pope Francis to be observed from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016. A Moleben to the Most Holy Virgin and Theotokos Mary will be offered, beseeching her continual intercession and assistance in this sacred work.
Father Frank A. Firko, STL,
Archieparchial Postulator of the Causes and pastor of Holy Ghost parish will deliver remarks. Attending clergy are invited to concelebrate. Members of the Archieparchial Choir will lead responses. Light refreshments will be served following the service.
This annual event is held to perpetuate the bold and virtuous witness of these martyrs’ lives and to encourage continual prayer for their beatification and canonization. During the Soviet Communist invasion of their homeland between 1945- 50, they staunchly professed their Catholic Faith with uncompromising loyalty and fidelity to the Vicar of Christ, the Pope of Rome. They indeed demonstrated what it means to live a full life in Christ. This is why we must continue to work and have them officially recognized by the Universal Church as Canonized Saints.
These holy hierarchs were: Blessed Bishop-Martyr Theodore G. Romzha, eparch of Mukachevo, who was poisoned to death in the Mukachevo hospital Nov. 1, 1947; Blessed
Bishop-Martyr Paul P. Gojdich, OSBM, eparch of Prešov, who died July 17, 1960, after spending ten years in prison of hard labor for unjust aggression; Blessed Bishop Martyr Basil Hopko, auxiliary of Prešov, who after spending many years of suffering physical and mental tortures in prison, and later released, died of complications arising from unjust aggression July 23, 1976; and Servant of God Alexander Chira, auxiliary and later ordinary of Mukachevo, who after suffering at the hands of the Communists surrendered his life to God on May 26, 1983.
Contact Father Frank at 412-771-3324 (Holy Ghost Church) for additional event information. It is encouraged and hoped that each parish of the Archeparchy will ensure at least one representative at this Moleben in-person, or for those who wish to “attend” in spirit and pray longdistance, the event also will be streamed online at https://www. stjohnsbyzantinecathedral. com/cathedral/live.
