Bishop Irynej Bilyk, OSBM

Bishop Irynej Bilyk, OSBM

Triple dimension of the holiday on the Jasna Mountain in Goshiv

On the 14^th of January there was hold a Holy Service in the church of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Jasna Mountain in Goshiv. The Service was honored by the presence of His Eminence Iryney Bilyk, OBSM, Canonic of the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

Bishop Iryney led the Holy Service in this church first time after the return of the monastery to the true owner � the Order of St. Basil the Great, on the holiday of the Three Saints, February 12, 1990. At that time the church and the monastery were ruined after the atheistic communist disaster. The original frescos were destroyed, walls rent and the roof holed.

Weak beams of the sun were falling on the temporary altar through the wide cracks in the walls and ceiling during this first postwar Service. There were broken windows and no doors in the church and because of the terrible draught monks wore capuches while shriving. On that historical day father Nykodym Gyralyk, OBSM and father Matey Gavryliv, OMSB were serving together with the Bishop. The Basilian Order and our multisuffering Mother-Church were going out of the catacombs to meet new expectations and hopes.

As it used to be before a lot of palmers from the near and far places are coming to Jasna Mountain to for the Holy Service. The restored church, newly painted and penetrated by the prayers is attracting numerous believers by its spirituality. People arrive to the renewed glory of the Queen of the Carpathian Mountains on Jasna Mountain with various needs and requests. They return home spiritually stronger, their souls fulfilled with happiness.