CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Slovakia: outcomes of the Bishops’ PlenaryA National March for Life planned for September in Kosice, highlights of the Jubilee Year of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, and regulations regarding Catholic media and presentation of the Catholic teaching in the means of social communication were at the center of the plenary session of the Bishops’ conference of Slovakia that took place on 11-12 March in Donovaly. The prelates discussed publishing of two books about life of Ss. Cyril and Methodius and their mission in the region of Great Moravia, with participation of the Ministry of Education and the Catholic Church. The project of the National March for Life, due to take place for the first time on 21-22 September with aim to "stimulate public opinion in regard to protection of human life from the moment of conception until natural death and its dignity", will include several holy masses celebrated by bishops, as well as a march on the streets of Kosice. Participants of the plenary session also discussed the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of foundation of the Pontifical Slovak College in Rome and outlined the terms of two main events regarding the matter – international conference in May 2013 and official celebrations in Rome planned for November. In conclusion, the bishops talked about scheduled meetings of the representatives of Churches and religious associations, with participation of Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox Churches and deputies of other registered Churches and associations. Czech Republic: example of the saints Hundreds of faithful came to the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Venceslaus and Adalbert in Prague to participate at the eucharistic celebration on the occasion of the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of Ss. Cyril and Methodius to Czech lands. The holy mass was presided over by Mons. Frantisek Radkovský, bishop of Pilsen, and the homily was pronounced by Prof. Petr Pitha. "As he said, veneration of the saints is always a chance to understand ourselves, as every saint is a witness of the Truth and represents an invitation to follow it", said the prior of the Capitol of All Saints of the Prague Castle, presenting several gifts and deeds of Ss. Cyril and Methodius as a topic for reflection. The first of them – introduction of the first Slavic language, based on the famous statement of St. Cyril, that the nations are "naked" without books and the nations that have no record of their history, can’t learn from the experience of their predecessors. Prof. Pitha talked about schools and system of education established by the Thessalonian brothers in the region of Great Moravia, who were convinced that faith is a God’s gift but it is easier to be comprehended by educated people. Another point of the homily was the baptism of prince Borivoj, done by St. Methodius, a breaking point in the history of the Czech lands. The monarch adopted a new attitude to life with emphasis on spiritual dimension, and his example – according to Prof. Pitha – should inspire us also today. Finally, the preacher raised a question how come Ss. Cyril and Methodius were so successful in their mission. "The answer is simple. They brought higher and more human culture, better attitude to life", said Prof. Pitha, inviting the faithful to reflect on their own contribution to more human society.Ukraine: exhibition of icons painted on clothThe opening of an exhibition "Icons on Cloth of 17th-18th Centuries" and the presentation of the restored shroud of the 15th century from the village Zhyrivka in the Lviv region was held on 12 March at the Sheptytsky National Museum in Lviv. The exhibition represents the first comprehensive display of sacred works from the 17th through the first half of the 18th centuries, which are painted with tempera or oil on cloth (linen or silk). The icons that used to hang on the walls of churches, depict various themes, including scenes of the Passion of Christ and the Last Judgment. According to the museum, the restored Shroud from the 15th century, which came from the Church of the Archangel Michael in the village Zhyrivka, is the only Ukrainian work of this type and a unique example of Ukrainian sacred embroidery from the medieval age.
