Education and the Church: the state of religious education in Ukraine. Reports about the construction of the church with Yaremcha in Ivano-Frankivsk.
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It broadcasts a weekly program "In the beginning was the Word," deals with problems of religion, spirituality, cultural memory. In Prague studies in front of microphone - the author and packager Vasily Zilhalov. Now, there's directorial control by soundman Paul Shidlo.
New academic year - it is always an event. Church year in the Orthodox and Greek Catholics, too, begins September 1, September 1 at the Julian calendar, which they follow it - September 14 by the Gregorian calendar, according to which Ukraine lives. But in any case is the coincidence, the school and church year provides a good opportunity to talk about religious education, the church and school, that a lively public discussion, at least, its most active part and worried, but not as quickly vykarbovuyetsya in completed forms.
About education and the church continues to Victor Yelenskyy.
Victor Yelenskyy
What is religious education in today's Ukraine? If we speak about professional education, it is about 170 religious schools, where students get 9500 professional theological education in the hospital and more than 10 thousand students in absentia. But there is unprofessional religious education. In Ukraine, about 12 000 Sunday schools, where children, youth and adults often learn fundamentals of a religion and be attached to the truths of faith.
There are thousands of schools in the West, where for several years taught Christian ethics. There are schools in the east, where the foundations are trying to introduce religious culture. There are, after all, many television and radio programs devoted to religion, and is the Internet with his religious resources, scope and diversity which increased an impressive pace. And almost as quickly diversifications views on religious education in society.
Traditional churches insist that religious classes are required to be permanently and unconditional support in schools. Some even openly say hierarchy on the desirability of introducing an element of coercion in religious school education, citing the need for such coercion as public morality, the growth of child and adolescent crime.
Instead, representatives of religious minorities is not something to do against religious education in schools, but prefer to reliably protect themselves against coercion. They believe the best solution to the problem of religious organizations the right to create their own schools. Quite clearly in as a national debate and vote are those who offer safe lock up exclusively religious education in the church fence. Thus they refer to the constitutional principle of separation of church and school, lack of teachers able to professionally teach religion in schools, religious diversity and Ukraine nezahoyenist inter conflicts.
Meanwhile, the poll shows that most parents would prefer that their children studied religion in school, and, naturally, would like to see this study was reared their children morality, not xenophobia, liberality, not obscurantism, love and not bigotry.
Pitfalls in implementing religious education in school is actually more. Acute problems in this area exist in countries where religious classes never ceased, is carefully worked, and where work on their technique aims institutions.
Vasily Zilhalov
Discontinuous for a while Victor Yelenskoho - a bit of religious life in Ukraine.
August 24 Kharkiv visited the Catholicos of All Armenians Harehin II. He took part in the ceremony of laying flowers to the Monument Cathedral Ukraine's Independence Day. The main purpose of the visit of Catholicos - the dedication of the newly built temple Surb Harutyun, whose construction lasted almost four years - said the journalists.
Local Church Armenian Apostolic Church was destroyed back in the 30 years of the twentieth century. Its rebuilding has brought together the local Armenian community, which today has more than 10 thousand people. Catholicos served as first liturgy in the temple Surb Harutyun, but construction of the temple complex will continue, including the Sunday school.
As noted press, an interesting fact that the visit of the Catholicos of All Armenians Harehina II Sloboda Ukraine to the capital - only the second for all its 350-year history, visit such high ecclesiastical dignitaries. 1945 visited Kiev Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy I (Symanskyy).
In Kharkiv, also operates a small community of Armenian Catholics. Worship time for her place in the Cathedral Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia diocese.
And Victor Yelenskyy completes the theme "Religion and Education."
Victor Yelenskyy
Child early XXI century religious teacher can ask a question that needs to limit the mobilization of conscience and special pedagogical knowledge. Not sure whether these issues were unable to raise children and one hundred, two hundred years ago, but believes that some of the answers to a great extent contributed to a radical anti-clericalism and aversion to the material. It is learned the lessons of the past?
Allow me narrating rather bitter joke, heard from one of the very few spaces in our real experts on religious education. New primary school teacher of the Orthodox school offers children to guess who it is: Ruden'ka, with a fluffy brush, jumping from branch to branch, and collect nuts. Children are astonished. Finally, summoned to the board reluctantly Patrick said: "I know the right answer - it is always God. But it already looks like squirrel. " It - very accurately captured the trend rather foolish and very dangerous attempt to transform the monastery school, attempts which have been marked by some post-searches in the area of religious education.
There are, naturally, and other dangers. A couple of years ago, speaking at the Kiev Conference "Education and the Family in Post-atheistic societies" Italian scientists Giovanna Paravechchini Soviet colleagues warned that some European models of religious forms in the school threatens the principle of neutrality, when the teacher wants to transform an ordinary collection of facts about religion on the computer that emits bezemotsiyno information. Authority required schoolboy, who is studying religion, but it should not be respected outside authority, and the satellite, which will offer the student a hypothesis and then be able to prove her right.
And one very important statement concerning Mrs. Paravechchini ecumenism in school. She believes the preaching of Christianity to children without this impossible. As it is impossible to education and training beyond the science of human perception of others. For Radio Liberty President Yelenskyy.
Vasily Zilhalov
Our regular listeners may recall the story about the construction of the church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Yaremcha in Ivano-Frankivsk region. As work progressed today, and how long to complete the construction of worship? With Yaremcha tells my colleague Taras Marusyk.
Taras Marusyk
For the year, which coincides with the time last transmission, building the church of the Nativity of John the Baptist, in the heart Yaremche, increased significantly. But still not installed domes, and the house is completely blocked. For more information, I asked a member of the Committee for building a church of the Nativity of John the Baptist, the city council deputy Yaremchanskoy Michael Kinash. At the beginning of the conversation Michael Kinash said:
Michael Kinash
First of all, Mr. T., I would like to thank you and your radio station "Freedom" for the opportunity once again to address through your broadcast to the public, say, Europe and the world. This enables us to communicate with our diaspora and all those who are concerned about the fate of our resort town Yaremche.
Taras Marusyk
I asked my friend if plans drawn up for this year, true?
Michael Kinash
Construction of the church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Yaremche continues estimated cost of this facility because of the appreciation of prices of building materials has increased, and today reaches over 2 million. In the current year we plan to complete construction of domes and block the entire structure. However, because the financial possibilities of the community are quite limited, we will not succeed this year to complete all planned work.
Taras Marusyk
So by the end of this year's construction season with the erection of the church committee plans to complete construction of domes and floors of the building. A wooden construction of the dome due to lack of funds delayed until next year.
Michael Kinash
I would casually say that the burden of building a church bears Yaremcha community - so it should be, but some financial assistance this year have given us and some NGOs, particularly from abroad. Yes, "the Church in Need" NGO, Mr Tomashik, transferred this year to our needs for 2000 euros, and international charitable organization Hrynovabis and director Christine boat transferred us to Euro 6080 for the purchase of building material and partial coverage of the building. With sincere gratitude and with prayers of thanks to this pozhertvodavtsyam and their sponsors for their help in all possible continuation of the building named object.
Taras Marusyk
By the way, public organization "The Church in Need has helped funds to build a new church in Yaremche as last year. In the local parishioners had hoped for and other public organization.
Michael Kinash
We work with other charitable organizations, and in particular trying to get in touch with compassionate foundation "Heart to Heart 'office is located in Ukraine and the United States, whose representative in Ukraine Ms. Svitlana Pohodina, and our data, those data that we have today, this gracious foundation has collected a sum of money, but these funds have not been admitted. Where they are today, we do not know, but the impression is that these funds were sent, perhaps, for other purposes or to build other temples.
We understand that not only we are doing some construction of the temple in contemporary Ukraine, as the spiritual rebirth of our people povsemistno goes fast, and we realize that the need for funds is not only to us. We would like to see if these funds were collected is targeted for us, that they got, as they say, for its intended purpose.
Therefore, referring to the fund "from heart to heart", we would like to engage more closely with that, if these funds are collected and do no longer admitted that they admitted it to us and we would greatly appreciate it Fund for possible assistance in building the temple.
Taras Marusyk
We will try to contact the fund, and in one of our programs tell about it.
Vasily Zilhalov
Discontinuous at the minute coverage of T. Marusyk Yaremcha, I will inform the audience a bit of religious life in Ukraine.
In August this year celebrated 15 years as a parish St. Peter and Paul in Lviv, led by Fr. Volodymyr Yarema (in the future Patriarch Demetrius) and John Pashuleyu withdrew from the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church and declared himself loyal to Metropolitan Orthodox Church in the USA and the Diaspora UAOC Mstislav. In Lviv and Kharkiv were celebrating this occasion.
"Our church community - said in a statement Paul parish of August 19, 1989 - refuses subordination Ruthenian Orthodox Church and joined the Initiative Committee for the revival of Ukrainian Independent Orthodox Church, which exists in Kiev. Hope to Exarch Ukraine brought us ... Therefore we must look to their own liberation .... ... Hierarchy of the Russian Church in Ukraine is nothing but a spiritual body of believers enslavement of the Ukrainian people. From these wolves, not shepherds, we must resolutely vidmezhovuvatysya. So, hoping for any of favor, join the Kyiv Initiative Committee and with it will seek a true spiritual leaders. "
In her welcoming address to the faithful of the Patriarch appealed successor Mstislav UOC U.S. Metropolitan Constantine.
According to sources, the consistory UAOC Diocese of Lviv on the occasion of the anniversary in Lviv, August 19 this year in the Cathedral of St.. Peter and Paul, the Archbishop of Lviv UAOC Makarov (Meletych) sent a solemn liturgy, during which a word of thanks remembered those who participated in the events 15 years ago.
Celebrations also took place in Kharkiv and Poltava Eparchy UAOC where Archbishop Kharkov Igor (Isichenko) award for outstanding contribution to the establishment and development of Kharkiv and Poltava Eparchy of several priests and laity. July 22 was held in Kharkiv Holiday Academy.
And Taras Marusyk completes its report on construction of a new church in Yaremche in Ivano-Frankivsk region.
Taras Marusyk
Michael Kinash said that this year received funds from sponsors fully mastered. Moreover - and community builders are already working on credit. Nowadays, ie those not covered by money made by 25 thousand. The community expects the same from Mayor Yaremche.
Michael Kinash
The Mayor, Mr. Nicholas Paliychuk this year to our needs immediately transferred (with the support of council members) 50 thousand, and we hope that the end of this year's will be credited to our needs 30 000 USD, and is assured Mayor in this regard.
Taras Marusyk
In conversation with Michael Kinash we also talked about the situation last year in another Greek-Catholic Church Yaremche, Assumption, where a long time the local church community wanted to keep a priest monk. Some time in the church ruled the two - a secular priest and monk. Michael Kinash told that this year the situation has changed. Father Nicanor, Studite monk, was appointed abbot of the monastery of St. Elias, and serves in the church Father Miroslav Boyko.
Michael Kinash
We have repeatedly turned to senior management, (word inaudible) Growth of our Holy Assumption Monastery and to the leadership of the diocese Kolomyja-Chernivtsi (word inaudible) cunning Paul Vasylyk a brilliant solution to this issue in the plan is to continue on the remainder of this parish cooperation and religious and secular priest in order to save monolithic community and prevent a schism in it. However, unknown reasons the diocese or authority or authority Assumption Monastery chose not to meet us, and thus have such a situation, which is now.
Taras Marusyk
This led, says Michael Kinash, partial division of the community. Part of the faithful now go for 2 miles to the monastery church, where Father Nicanor rules, most of it remained at the Assumption Church.
Michael Kinash
On the other hand, most Yaremcha and surrounding villages was more focused on the pastor, Father Nicanor, and in connection with such actions above The church is led to a "cooling off", say, sponsorship for the construction of the church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist in -
Taras Marusyk
Says a member of the Committee for building a church of the Nativity of John the Baptist, member of city council Yaremchanskoy Michael Kinash. Taras Marusyk, Radio Liberty, Yaremcha, Ivano-Frankivsk.
Vasily Zilhalov
Restore your spirit, away from everyday worries and concerns people may calm down mentally Yazlovetskis monastery in the Roman Catholic Church that in the region, called the retreat house of the Blessed Mother Martseliny Darovskoyi.
During the year, here hold retreats for families, for teachers of children. Recently had a chance to rest in a monastery, but at the same time learn something new during the summer holidays. Although the Roman Catholic monastery, his care for only 3 nuns, here come the faithful and clergy of various denominations, so it can be called ecumenical center. It has been since the founding of the monastery in Yazlovtsyah Martselinoyu Darovskoyu. In 1996, Pope John Paul II proclaimed Martselinu Blessed.
My colleague Galina Tereschuk visited Yazlovtsyah, and is 75 km from Ternopil, Buchach in the area. Hear her story.
Galina Tereschuk
Yazlovtsya lead to such twisted way, like in the mountains. Former town its usual wealth of greenery and striking Armenian architecture. Here in the 14 century, the Armenians lived. Yazlovets It was located on the trade route that led to the Black Sea to the east. Then Yazlovets was the richest city, the beauty equates to the city. 18 century palace, located in the bottom of the old castle, Martselini Darovskiy gave Krzysztof Blazhovskyy.
The palace was destroyed too, but the desire to open a nun monastery and school was stronger As before in her childhood desire to live only for God.
Blessed Martselina born in a rich family in the Polish village Shuliaky between Umannyu and White Church, now the Cherkasy region. She studied at the Russian school in Odessa. At that time the Russian state monasteries were closed. In carrying out the will of his ailing father in 22 years Martselina married Carol Darovskoho and it was a very happy family. But after 3 years of typhoid her husband died and then her two year son. Martselina left with little Karolinkoyu. In the suffering that befell her, she recognized the sign of God's will: a call to monastic life.
After her husband's death ruled Martselina riches, but the thought of religious life not to leave her. In 1854 in Rome, she met Father Josef Yeronima and sister Kara. With the last established in Rome the Congregation of Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After the death of Kara Martselina led the congregation, and in 1863 with the blessing of the Pope suffered a first house neporochnyts scientific and educational institution for girls in Yazlovets, in the region, the palace Blazhovskoho. It brought up her daughter.
Have formed a task Martselina sisters neporochnyts: "In Him - God's inspiration, heard God's request, the kingdom of God on earth, where housing for God, for God, God's will and under God's leadership." Martselina mother was engaged in educating girls, convinced that depends on the revival of the family that is the foundation of a healthy moral society. Narrated by Sister Julia, superior retreat house in the Blessed Mother Martseliny Yazlovtsyah.
Sister Julia
And for the ceremonies, and all the lessons of religion came to the Greek-Catholic girls. Even so, I heard that Rabbi came to Jews. It was also schools for girls so-called "nursery" - the original classes, and local children studied there. Martselina have said that over all the people God has an opinion and intention (thought), so to speak: that we should cultivate the spirit of the people ... So saying that if God calls you to a different country - you have to educate in the spirit of the people.
Vasily Zilhalov
Discontinuous for a while Halyna Tereshchuk - another rumor of religious life in Ukraine.
Metropolitan of Odessa and Izmail UOC (MP) Agafangel (Savvin) urged Russians to support the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He told the Odessa newspaper "RIO". According to the bishop, intergovernmental Ukrainian-Russian relations must take into account the "church unity factor in the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church" - the site Pravoslavye.Ru.
Metropolitan Agafangel sorry that Russian politicians, journalists, businessmen are not interested in the state of the ROC in Ukraine, "attempts to deal with it", the theme of church schism, the attitude of the Church in the media. "What can be the strategic partnership of Russia and Ukraine to the indifference to the sanctuary of the Church - to our great common long history of Slavic civilization?" - Highlights the Bishop.
Pope notes the importance of the last visit to Odessa Moscow Mayor adviser Konstantin Zatulin. "I think that this visit is an indication that the influence of religious and social circles of Russia, are respected politicians like Yuri Luzhkov and his adviser Konstantin Zatulin, not just give great importance to true strategic partnership between Ukraine and Russia, but also see the spiritual foundations of such partnership in the spiritual unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and its integral part - the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the aegis of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and Russia vsyeya.
And Galina Tereschuk concluded its report with Yazlovtsya.
Galina Tereschuk
Martselina mother died in 1911, being buried in the crypt of the monastery. Interestingly, the chapel, which in the Soviet period was filled with earth, survived. In 1946 the Soviets closed the monastery and turned it into a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. Ms. Oksana nurse resort, part of which still have not moved from the monastery, recalls:
Ms. Oksana
... Here was this hrobivets from the outset and this hrobivets our rural people have saved. There, you see, it was just before, and all the rest were in the ground.
Galina Tereschuk
People came here?
Ms. Oksana
Came, and came often, and at weekends and in the days and even many of our employees sanatorium.
Galina Tereschuk
Since 1997, the monastery in Yazlovtsi alive again. Sisters neporochnytsi educate and teach children religion, conduct retreats for young people from Poland, Belarus and Ukraine. This could get everyone who wants to update himself spiritually. Daily prayers, comfortable cell, library, gorgeous park, and below the monastery grow around trees - all of which contributes to spiritual renewal.
Sister Julia
Thank God we have this opportunity to work, actually, with different groups: from different faiths come children, youth, adults, families, and enjoy. That house is not empty, You yourself have seen that all the time here and someone is actually so often something people say so renew our spirituality.
Recently had the family from Kyiv: man, woman and child, they learned from someone that is such a house, come to us. And when we said goodbye, said: "We have not betrayed our goal when we were driving here, but now very glad that we could renew our spirituality." They themselves Orthodox, not Roman Catholic rite, and the service of God came to us, but zahovuvaly ceremonies. Well, for example, it was the scarf, and the child just what we have, for example, no but all this is somehow combined!
Galina Tereschuk
When I was in Yazlovetskis monasteries, and there rest of the group of children and Frankivsk Ternopil. Just watched nuns organized for the children game "Gift of Love." Sister Agatha from Rohatyn came to the monastery with their children.
Sister Agatha
We're not the first time here and I see that, especially this year, this community is very good for us and they like to chat together. They not only saw that this community, but they are going through.
Galina Tereschuk
I asked Oksana trynadtsyatylitnyu of Buchach talk about their vacation in Yazlovetskis monastery.
Oksana from Buchach
Get up at about eight in the morning, half an eighth, as ever. "Our Father" - morning prayer, we go to chapel to pray, after breakfast, then met in groups, then we (word inaudible) singing to the service of God, and so generally everyone has their responsibilities, so divided into groups: some is washing dishes, removes some ... Here we are become more cohesive, friendly, like family.
Galina Tereschuk
"Such different today we have gathered Martselina and it teaches us: no unity, if not holiness, if holiness - to be unity, the closer a person to God, the closer it is to other people." These words said the head of Church, Cardinal Lubomir Husar at a joint worship of different faiths in May 1997 when the monastery in Yazlovtsyah again opened the doors for people all faiths. Halyna Tereshchuk, Radio Liberty.
Vasily Zilhalov
Dear listeners, we complete this program "In the beginning was the Word" over the Ukrainian version of "Radio Liberty. I remind you that its author and originator - Vasily Zilhalov, helped me with directorial control in the Prague studio recordist Paul Shidlo.
All the best to meet again in the air!
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