+ Sophron Dmyterko OSBM

Studied theology in the Czech Republic (CR), in the town of Olomouc. As a student he liked visiting Velehrad – the centre of the mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the apostles of the Slavs. He himself told us that since his studies in CR he has prayed the Rosary in Czech daily.

In the time of illegality he served as a secret Basilian bishop. He defended the identity of our UGCC against the spirit of betrayal (i.e. against calling the Catholic believers “pravoslavni” – “Orthodox”), wherefore he was disliked by the Redemptorists. After the year 1990 he served as diocesan bishop in Ivano-Frankivsk; thereafter he retired.

At the present time he is seriously ill and ready to meet his Lord, whom he served faithfully through all his life.

+ Irynej Bilyk OSBM

Was consecrated shortly before the Church came out of illegality. At that time the Redemptorists had their bishops who had opened themselves to the spirit of betrayal and schism. Therefore, as a counterbalance, Bishop S. Dmyterko consecrated a young Basilian priest.

After 1990 he served as auxiliary bishop, later as ordinary. Owing to great pressures on the part of Card. L. Husar and his Synod, in 2007 he “voluntarily” left Ukraine for Rome as the last bishop from the time of illegality faithful to the Holy Father.

At the present time he serves as a canon in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

+ Pavlo Vasylyk

Likewise consecrated in the time of illegality. He worked very courageously especially in the time when our Church was beginning her open activity, and he stood up for her freedom. After 1990, he served as diocesan bishop in Kolomyja.

We are grateful to him for granting us an official permission to establish a monastery sui juris in his diocese. Regrettably, in 2005 he died and Card. L. Husar destroyed the opportunity given to us.

Since due to the pressure on the part of Card. L. Husar Bishop Pavlo Vasylyk could not help us physically at the time, he helped us in a different way.