ugcc.org.ua - Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church His Beatitude Sviatoslav will attend the reburial of the remains of auxiliary bishop of Mukachevo Ivan (Marhitych) , that will be held on February 4, 2017 in the temple of the Holy Virgin in the Borzhavska village Vynohradiv district Zakarpattya region.
According to the Internet edition "Tribune," Bishop Ivan is buried in St. Mary's Church, which was built on his initiative and his efforts. Until his body rested in an underground room of the temple, but there was a problem with excessive humidity. So renovated the temple in the sanctuary have arranged a special sarcophagus, which find their final rest the remains of the bishop, and he will have convenient access to the believers.
Bishop Ivan (Marhitych) was born February 4, 1921 in the Borzhavska village (Vynohradiv district). In rural schools he took part of the "Plast", and later - Youth UNO.
Already as a student of the Uzhhorod seminary he was arrested by the Hungarian authorities with other young people on Zakarpattya desire to connect to an independent Ukraine. He was released through the efforts of Bishop of Mukachevo Ivan (Stoika).
In 1946 he graduated the seminary and were served in the Vynohradiv and Rakhiv. In 1951 he was arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison and 5 years of defeat in the civil law. However, the future Bishop was released after Stalin's death. He returned to his native village, where he worked on the farm illegally and served.
He was ordained a bishop on September 10, 1987. From 1991 he was called St. Pope John Paul II auxiliary Bishop of Mukachevo. Bishop Ivan (Marhitych) advocated the unity of Mukachevo Greek Catholic diocese with UGCC and participated in the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC.
Bishop Ivan (Marhitych) died during the dedication of the throne of the church in the Pylypets village on September 7, 2003. During his sacrificial labor and proximity to the native people he got from the people called “national bishop”.
Department of Information UGCC