Edited by RPIC Prešov | Presov Region
Pope Francis in Prešov
Country: Slovakia
Region: Presov Region
Type of inspiration: Beliefs
Inspiracja
One of the most significant events in the history of the Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia is the visit of the Holy Father Francis. He honoured the city of Prešov with his visit on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy and Venerable Cross, 14 September 2021. The Archiepiscopal Holy Liturgy was celebrated in the area in front of the Municipal Sports Hall in Prešov.
The Holy Father Francis arrived in Prešov shortly before ten o'clock. He was welcomed in the traditional style, with bread and salt, by children dressed in costumes and by Mr and Mrs Miroslav and Mrs Zuzana Kebovi. Mr. Keba made the papal throne, analogion and other furnishings for the Holy Father with his own hands. Through the papamobile, the Holy Father walked through the different sectors, greeting and blessing the faithful. They greeted him with several slogans: "Joy of the heart reveals, the Holy Father is coming", or "We have been waiting for you, we are waiting for you in Presov", or even "Holy Father welcome, give us your blessing!"
The Holy Father, wearing a liturgical vestment of red colour, began to celebrate the Archiepiscopal Holy Liturgy to the singing of "Vošel jesi archijereju". With the Holy Father, 5 cardinals, 21 Eastern and 17 Western bishops, 480 priests of both rites and 6 deacons concelebrated this solemnity. In his address, he brought to the faithful the message of the cross, its role in the life of a believer. Knowing the history of the Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia, he spoke about the witness of the cross. At the conclusion of the Holy Liturgy, he gave the faithful a final blessing.
Afterwards, the presentation of gifts took place, where the Holy Father presented the Greek Catholic Church with a golden chalice set. Archbishop Babjak presented the Pope with a copy of the Hail Mary of the Most Holy Theotokos.
At the very end, the Holy Father crowned the icon of the Mother of God of Clokoèov with the hymn "Under Your Grace I am the Mother of God".
After the end of the celebration in Prešov, the Pope was waiting for a trip to Košice, before which, however, he paid an unscheduled visit to his religious confreres at the House of Exercises of St. Ignatius, who were unable to attend the Holy Liturgy due to their organizational duties. Father Francis was also happy to greet the people who were preparing lunch in the kitchen for the bishops attending the liturgy. In a very convivial atmosphere, he talked directly in the kitchen with the group of cooks and with the religious sisters of the Congregatio Jesu. Before his departure he gave them his blessing.
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