Russians show interest in UGCC Catechism

In an interview to the portal Orthodox Catholics of Odesa, the Russian Greek Catholic journalist Oleksandr Shvedov said that the manifestation of the new Catechism of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is an important step toward realizing the covenant of Jesus, who on Holy Thursday prayed for the unity of his disciples. In this context, the name of the Catechism “Christ Is Our Easter” gives hope that the Greek Catholic Church in Russia awaits a “true resurrection.”

“A document appeared in due time, in which the church’s teaching, at its current level of development, is presented, based mainly on the work of Eastern fathers. I think it will complement the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is well known in Russia and based primarily on the work of Western fathers; that is, it is a practical embodiment of Pope John Paul II’s words – ‘the church breathes with two lungs,’” said Shvedov. “In my opinion, each Catholic should read this, and more, think, and compare,”

Shvedov believes that the Russian translation of the Catechism should be a collaborative project. Indeed, in south-eastern Ukraine there are also Russian philologists. The main part of the translation work can be done in Ukraine, but the theological and literary editing should be done in Russia.

Since the Moscow Church doesn’t have a Catechism, there is a lot of interest in the Ukrainian Catechism. There have been requests for an electronic version. In particular, Ural Roman Catholics asked to be sent a Ukrainian Catechism. And the Catechism can already be presented in Moscow, even before the release of the Russian translation. “After all, Russian politicians don’t always have to demand that Ukrainians learn Russian. Let adherents of Slavic unity also learn Ukrainian,” said Shvedov, the Information Department of the UGCC reports.

The new UGCC Catechism was presented in Lviv by Patriarch (Sviatoslav) on June 24 as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine.