CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Slovakia: "brothers who changed the world""Brothers who changed the world" is the title of an exhibition prepared by the Slovak National Museum on the occasion of the Jubilee Year of Ss. Cyril and Methodius celebrated in 2013. It was opened on 21 February at the premises of the Bratislava Castle and according to its curators, "the visitors can discover facts about the mission of the Thessalonian brothers, their work and Cyrilo-methodian message for today’s world in an untraditional, visually attractive way". The official opening was associated with a conference dedicated to the mission of both saints in the region of Great Moravia in the 9th century held on 21 February. The exhibition offers archeological discoveries found in Slovakia, abstracts from pontifical documents, literary works of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, as well as gold-coated plaquettes from Bojná with Christian symbols – the oldest archeological proofs of presence of Christianity in Slovak lands. The exhibition will be opened until 2 April. For more information: www.snm.sk.Ukraine: integration of mentally disabled Within the frames of educational courses for the clergy of the Stryi Diocese of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), a presentation of the programs regarding integration of persons with mental disabilities into the life of the Church and society took place last week in Stryi. The event was organized with the assistance of the Centre for spiritual support for people with limited abilities "Emanus", in collaboration with the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC. According to the organizers, the purpose of the course was to "present and discuss ways of helping people with limited abilities and their families to find their place and to fulfill their mission in the Church". The program included presentation of a movie "Seeing someone" by Oleg Romanchuk, dealing with issues of barriers that currently exist in the society for the people with mental disabilities. The participants of the events discussed social and spiritual aspect of this problems, as well as difficulties faced by families with children with special needs. At the end of the seminar, a book by Dr. Martyn Homiv entitled "Practical adviser of the pastor in serving persons with mental disabilities" was presented. Czech Republic: "Live with the bishop" on TV Mons. Frantisek Václav Lobkovicz, bishop of Ostrava-Opava in Czech republic, was the first guest in a new program of the Christian TV NOE entitled "Live with the bishop", broadcasted on 26 February. "Once a month we’ll offer space to the heads of respective dioceses who will talk not only about their service and duties, but will get also to more personal topics", explain the representatives of the television, adding that the guests will have an opportunity to present their everyday life, their spirituality or their attitude towards questions regarding the Church in Czech republic. The viewers can actively participate at the program by sending their questions to e-mail address vysilani@tvnoe.cz, or by making a telephone call directly to the studio. The next broadcasting will take place on 26 March, with Mons. Karel Herbst, ordainer of the Prague archdiocese.
