His Beatitude Lubomyr (Husar), Major Archeparch Emeritus of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, passed away at 18:30 on May 31, 2017, aged 85. This sad news was reported by UGCC Department of Information.
Lubomyr Husar was known and respected for his sincerity, wisdom, and a keen sense of humor. For him man with his weaknesses, the state with its mission, and the Lord were a single system of values.
With his reputation Lubomyr was an active public figure. Among other things, he gave his blessings to one of Den’s Library books, Wars and Peace, or Ukrainians and Poles: Brothers/Enemies, Neighbors. He kept in touch with Klara Gudzyk, one of Den/The Day’s contributors [God rest her soul], and held her in esteem. He supported the School of Religious Journalism.
President Petro Poroshenko gave his condolences to the UGCC: “I wholeheartedly share this grief with the UGCC adherents, and with all Ukrainians. I’d like to express my profound respect for this outstanding personality, a true shepherd who intrepidly conveyed His Word to Ukrainians in two centuries. In one of his final interviews Lubomyr Husar made a prophetic statement that touched my heart: ‘Peace is when one loves another. Peace does not mean the absence of a struggle.’”
Ukrainian literary critic, essayist, poet, and philosopher Yevhen Sverstiuk had this to say about Lubomyr Husar [during his lifetime]: “The Greek Catholics are fortunate enough to have this wise hierarch who climbed up the ladder from the bottom, who never sought bishopric, although he had long been ordained underground… It is very important for a church to be headed by a truly spiritual individual who is indifferent to his administrative status. That was why he surrendered his office so easily after fulfilling his mission.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), current head of the UGCC: “His Beatitude Lubomyr was like a loving father to me. He would share with me his most personal ideas, dreams, and wishes, and then let me travel across the world, so I could learn to rely upon my own resources, as he put it… Today, he is like a Ukrainian biblical Isaac who transfers birthright. Being his successor is a great honor.”
The current and recent passing of such prominent figures as Lubomyr Husar, Bohdan Hawrylyshyn, and Yevhen Sverstiuk – people held in esteem as moral symbols of the Ukrainian nation – make one wonder who will fill the void left by them and with what values for the generations to come.
HE WAS A MAN TRUE TO HIS CALLING
Yuliana LAVRYSH, Ph.D. (Social Communications), lecturer, Faculty of Journalism, Ivan Franko National University, Lviv:
“I’ve met with His Beatitude Lubomyr on several occasions. In 2011, starting my religious column in Den/The Day, I learned about his visit to Lviv and decided to ask His Beatitude for at least a brief interview. We met at the Recollection Center of Lviv’s UGCC Eparchy in Briukhovychi. The R. Rev. Rafail Strontsytskyi, his aide, met me in the lobby and showed me to His Beatitude’s room. I was walking on rickety legs and my hands were shaking. In a moment I would see one of the most revered spiritual leaders of Ukraine! I was scared to say or act contrary to protocol. Would curtsying, kissing his hand, and asking him to bless me be alright? Then the door opened and I saw an old man sitting in an armchair, apparently taking a nap. There was no richly embroidered episcopal attire. He was like a good old granddad resting and thinking of what lay ahead of him. Eternity. (I’d often find him in this posture during his lectures, meetings, and audiences – a posture best described as that of an Old Thinker.) His Beatitude greeted me with a smile and all my fears vanished. I would remember that smile long afterward, so sincerely warm, well-wishing, although I could tell he was not feeling well and suggested we postpone the interview, but he insisted, saying he didn’t like formalities and pleasantries. We spoke about the younger generation, ecumenism, and personal spiritual needs. In the end, I asked if we could have a picture taken of us together. The R. Rev. Rafail did the honors (by the way, I loved His Beatitude’s Halychyna idioms during the interview). We posed standing in front of an icon portraying St. Nicholas and Lubomyr joked that there were three of us posing, and that I was posing with two men named Nicholas [his first lay name is Mykola – or Nicholas]. He then asked me not to display the photo, just keep it in my private album, considering that he was wearing layman’s clothes. This framed photo has stood on a shelf in my room for the past six years. Our last meeting took place two years ago when His Beatitude’s doctorate on Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky’s ecumenism was presented at the Lviv National University. One of the rector’s officials asked me to take the floor. Once again I was nervous, having to comment on the hierarch’s work in his presence. I had spent two days reading his doctorate and found myself marveling at the ease with which the author dealt with theological issues while retaining the academic style. After the presentation, His Beatitude said thanks, adding nothing.
“He was a man true to his calling, an ordinary priest who would remain one until his dying day. It is hard to find people like him in this cruel world, people who are aware of His mission for them, who can travel the path shown them by Him and implement their potential. He was a man who carried His Love and Light. He was friends with another regular contributor, Klara Gudzyk, and gave his blessings to the Den’s Library book entitled Wars and Peace, or Ukrainians and Poles: Brothers/Enemies, Neighbors. He was a major contributor to this periodical and supported the School of Religious Journalism.
“One of the tenets of the Christian faith has it that the death of a fellow believer should be celebrated, rather than mourned, considering that the deceased is now in His embrace, considering that this believer spent his life asserting this faith. However, after watching the news and learning about His Beatitude’s passing, I spent the evening looking at the photo dating back to 2011, weeping. I wept for a good wise shepherd who’d no longer be able to give a piece of advice, for a spiritual giant of the Ukrainian nation, for a man who wholeheartedly embodied Christianity. I will remember his warm smile spelling faith, love, and charity until my heart beats its last. People like him could be described as members of an Optimism and Eternal Faith Foundation.”
HIS BEATITUDE LUBOMYR WAS A SPIRITUAL FATHER OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE
His Beatitude Sviatoslav (SHEVCHUK), head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (excerpt from the official statement, news.ugcc.ua):
“He was a prominent shepherd of our Church, a spectacular personality, an outstanding Christian adherent, and a great Ukrainian. Today, all Ukrainians here and across the world are mourning his passing, followed by millions in various countries, of various confessions, joined by profound respect for this righteous clergyman. His Beatitude Lubomyr was a spiritual father of the Ukrainian people. We all felt confident and secure in his presence. Then, in an instant, we all felt like orphans.”
UNITY OF CHURCHES WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM
Bishop Borys (HUDZIAK), UGCC (ucu.edu.ua):
“I seem to have known Patriarch Lubomyr all my life, starting as a boy, visiting a summer R&R camp with my parents. He was then the local parish priest. Later, he became my confessor and spiritual tutor at a seminary in Rome. We also kept in touch in Ukraine.
“Patriarch Lubomyr was an extremely gifted individual, in terms of intellect, emotions, and imagination. And his velvet baritone while delivering sermons in his own style! He must have been the best homilist of our Church during my lifetime.
“He was a servant of the Lord, his messenger on earth, a monk who sought unity with God in the first place. As a priest, archimandrite, and archbishop, he offered up prayers for this unity and encouraged others to seek this unity. The unity of all churches was important to him. He wrote a treatise on Metropolitan Andrei [Sheptytsky], his theology, Christian unity and what efforts should be made to reach this goal.
“He united our Synod of Bishops that was previously divided. He united Ukrainians and became their spiritual father and the highest moral standard. He was very popular with cabbies. Young people, adults, businessmen, men of the arts, parishioners, even believers not affiliated to the UGCC would listen to what he had to say with respect. He worked to unite the members of his Church, his people, and sought to extend this unity. He tried to reconcile [Ukrainians] with Poles and Jews. His cherished dream was to put an end to this war and achieve reconciliation with the Russians.
“His Beatitude Lubomyr’s heritage also contains two of his personal features that must make us ponder and encourage virtues. In this world, in this country haunted by thirst for power, a desire to seize power at all costs, this man surrendered his office, leaving Ukraine dumbfounded by his abdication in 2011. He just stepped down.
“Patriarch Lubomyr upheld a modest lifestyle. He had little by way of private property and he took a dim view of luxuries. Of course, he had to wear luxurious garments to celebrate the Liturgy, for this was the tradition of the Church, but he was very common in his daily life. Each could easily detect this natural modesty when communicating with him outside the church. He could communicate with practically anyone, using various languages, in various contexts. And there was always his keen sense of humor. He could easily laugh at himself. That was a manifestation of his closeness to sacrament, considering that a sense of humor and sacrament are related. Now it is very important for us to see His Beatitude Lubomyr off on his final trip with our sincere prayers, so he can accomplish the sacrament of passing from this world to the one beyond.
“We are praying for His Beatitude Lubomyr, begging the Lord to rest his soul... We are also praying for His Beatitude Sviatoslav, upon whose shoulders now rests a heavier burden of responsibility... We are praying for being able to learn and put to good use these and other virtues of the late Patriarch Lubomyr. Memory eternal!”
SPIRITUAL REJUVENATION OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE: HIS LIFELONG MISSION
Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus’-Ukraine, Kyiv Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox Church (www.cerkva.info):
“The late patriarch during his lifetime shared the sad lot of many Ukrainians of his generation. WW II forced him to leave his native land, yet he would never stop loving the Ukrainian people. He learned his mission from his religious tutors, especially from the one who ordained him bishop of the UGCC. That mission was to revive the Ukrainians spiritually, overcome the enmity between Ukrainian brothers, and heal old wounds.
“Thanks to his able, wise guidance, the relations between the UGCC and other churches in Ukraine improved considerably and we could practice bilateral and multilateral cooperation. I hope that the late hierarch’s heritage and his Kyiv-centrist vision of the Church in Ukraine will be upheld.
“The passing of His Beatitude Lubomyr is a heavy loss for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, as well as for all those who knew him, loved him, and respected him. Sharing your grief, I am praying, asking the Lord to rest his soul in His Kingdom where there is no sorrow, no sighs or tears, but eternal life. Memory eternal!”
THE MAN WHO JOINED UKRAINIAN GENERATIONS
Archbishop Yevstratii (ZORIA), spokesman, Kyiv Patriarchate:
“The passing of His Beatitude Lubomyr is a heavy blow to all who knew him (I did, too). This man succeeded in uniting several Ukrainian generations torn apart by the ravages of history, including the Second World War, Bolshevik rule, and acts of violence against our national and religious life, specifically against the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He was a living symbol of the Ukrainian people that had survived all ordeals and emerged even stronger, not angered but with Jesus and His love in their hearts – this is what helped them survive! Born before WW II, he was destined to travel a thorny and winding path of his life. He shared his hard-earned life experience and tradition with the modern generation. This is very important. We all mourn his passing, but as believers we know that this passing is not into an abstract dark void, but into eternal life. His body is dead, but his soul is alive. He is now facing the Creator. His deeds, his legacy remain with us.”
LIVING EVIDENCE OF GENUINE CHRISTIAN FAITH
Archbishop Ihor (ISICHENKO), Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Kharkiv:
“It is hard to reconcile oneself with the loss of a close and dear one. However, the passing of a righteous person opens up an even broader dimension of spiritual unity with the deceased. Unity in prayer, awareness of his presence, with him looking at and caring for us from heaven, asking the Lord to help us. His Beatitude Lubomyr is no longer among the living, but he stays with us Ukrainians in our hearts and we are aware of his fatherly love. He has left us his legacy of genuine Christian faith that was inseparable from his selfless and intrepid dedication to truth. His life experience serves as an exception from the popular stereotype of a pragmatic and compromise-oriented hierarch. His innate intellect and culture combined with a crystal clear faith, resulting in a singular shepherd’s talent. He addressed his flock, using words everyone could understand and believe. His life was an example of modesty in every respect. I believe that his example of spiritual growth will be emulated by a new generation of Ukrainian priests, opening up new horizons of a genuine Christian vocation.”
CONSCIENCE OF THE NATION
Sheikh Said ISMAGILOV, Mufti, Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine (UMMAH):
“His Beatitude Cardinal Lubomyr was the most powerful religious authority in Ukraine. Media polls placed him first and I believe it was true, in every respect. Lubomyr Husar was the conscience and spiritual leader of the nation. His was an example worth being emulated by Greek Catholics, other Christians, and people who professed other creeds. His attitude to the Muslims and Jews was tolerant and good. He never avoided a dialog. He always spoke truthfully, addressing forums or other meetings and gatherings. His appearances on the Maidan, during the Revolution of Dignity, touched people’s hearts. He never feared to criticize the regime when he thought it was going the wrong way. His motto ‘Have No Fear!’ on the Maidan served as perhaps the strongest message for the Revolution of Dignity, as all other messages seemed to have faded in the background. His message keeps resounding over Ukraine... Cardinal Lubomyr Husar was the most important religious authority in Ukraine and was held in esteem abroad. His passing is a heavy loss for our country. We Muslims share this grief and honor the memory of His Beatitude Lubomyr Husar.”
