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Patriarch Sviatoslav to Participate in Opening of Christmas Tree in Vatican

01.12.2011, 12:34
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, will take part in the ceremony of the opening of the Christmas Tree from Ukraine in the Vatican.

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, will take part in the ceremony of the opening of the Christmas Tree from Ukraine in the Vatican. The event will for the first time be attended not only by the bishops of the Catholic Churches of Ukraine of the Latin and Byzantine rites but also representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Information Department of UGCC reported.

“It is an extremely important event as many countries waits for this opportunity for years. It is yet another indication of Ukraine’s European roots and the fact that it belongs to the family of the European nations,” said Patrioarch Sviatoslav in this regard.

On 29 November the 30-meter Ukrainian fir tree was transported to Rome. It will be installed at St. Peters Square in the Vatican for Christmas. The tradition to bring fir trees to the Vatican from various countries dates back to the end of the 20th century, when John Paul II held the position of the pope. Many countries have to wait for years for the opportunity.

Christmas mangers are usually placed under the tree to be consecrated by the pope on December 24.