Ukrainian parish commemorates Christ’s burial while recalling homeland’s suffering: 'Evil came into the world ... and Christ showed us true faith'
HAMTRAMCK — Solemn Good Friday liturgies took places across the Archdiocese of Detroit on April 15, but it’s difficult to imagine a more solemn observance than the one at Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hamtramck.
Immaculate Conception, along with St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren and other Ukrainian communities across the country, have been praying fervently for an end to the war and death that has been gripping their ancestral homeland since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion.
“This year is a little more difficult; it’s more meaningful, knowing what’s going on back in Ukraine,” Ivan Preweda, a parishioner at Immaculate Conception for more than 60 years, told Detroit Catholic. “Thousands of people have lost their lives, on both sides. The Russians going into battle have no idea why they are there. For the Ukrainian people, it’s very symbolic for us. Now, we pray for the people who have fallen, who have lost their lives.”
Immaculate Conception held its Greater Vespers Service with the Procession of the Holy Shroud, a tradition in the Byzantine-rite Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in which a shroud with a depiction of Christ in the tomb is carried in procession around the church before being placed in front of the altar for veneration.
After prayers and incensing the shroud, the faithful proceeded to the shroud, kissing the face and wounds of Christ.
The service was accompanied by traditional Ukrainian hymns played in a minor key, with the procession of the shroud resembling Christ's being taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, explained Father-Deacon Zenon Czornij of Immaculate Conception (Father-Deacon is the title for permanent deacons in the Ukrainian Catholic Church).
“Today, we recite the Gospel passage of the Passion and the crucifixion with Christ, which then lead to other elements of the vespers service, beginning with the traditional procession of the Holy Shroud and singing special hymns remembering how Christ came down from the cross and the noble Joseph took his body, wrapped it in a shroud and placed it in a tomb,” Father-Deacon Czornij said.
The faithful "kiss all of the wounds of Christ and His Holy Face; this tradition has been going on for many, many years and is an important part of our Ukrainian Catholic faith,” Father-Deacon Czornij added.
The Greater Vespers Services was the first of two Good Friday services at Immaculate Conception; a Maten service takes places this evening, when the priests and deacons sit in front of the Holy Shroud, chanting melodies.
Amidst the backdrop of war, the Good Friday service came as parishioners continued to pray for loved ones suffering violence and destruction in Ukraine, refugees who have fled their homeland and supply drives that continue to raise assistance.
Amidst the somber liturgy, Preweda knows Easter brings the Resurrection — that Christ has already overcome death, both on Calvary and in Ukraine.
“It’s the same as every Easter; the Resurrection, the hope, knowing there will be a Resurrection and we will be united with Jesus in our death as well,” Preweda said. “For me, it’s knowing. Knowing what’s going to happen later on.”
As Catholics return home from Good Friday services, maintaining their fasts as the Triduum progresses, the people of God know there is hope and redemption, Father-Deacon Czornij said, even amidst the chaos and despair of a war that is happening half a world away, but still hits home.
“We see there is evil in the world; with that evil comes tremendous suffering,” Father-Deacon Czornij said. “But there is a lack of understanding: how could there be something like this? But when we see the incredible suffering, it recalls what happened to Christ, who died for our sins.
“Evil came into the world, and Christ, representing the light of the world, showed to us the truth faith. That’s what we remember with the suffering, that we share in the eternal life with Christ,” Father-Deacon Czornij added. “Our faith points us always to a direction of Theosis, which is unification of God. And the people who are enduring incredible suffering, after they pass away, know they have life everlasting in Christ. As it says in Holy Scripture, 'Death where is thy sing, where is thy victory?'”
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