Being still and keeping attentive is hard work at any time but especially now, during one of the busiest times of the year, so full of distractions and stress, which makes keeping still and attentive even more necessary for us. The time of Pylypivka reminds us that waiting and watching is holy work. So how do we do this?

The tradition of the Church teaches us that silence is the key. Silence is a way of waiting, a way of watching, and a way of listening to what is going on within and around us. Through stillness and silence, through attentiveness and watchfulness we come to self-knowledge and the true spiritual meaning of the coming of Christ.

Of course, it is unrealistic for us to completely detach ourselves from the world in which we live. Our daily obligations and responsibilities prevent us from doing so.

However, during this time of Pylypivka, we encourage you to take just a few minutes each day to sit in silence and stillness, with perhaps the aid of Holy Scripture or a spiritual book, and meditate on the coming of the Lord in the flesh in the feast of His Nativity. If you do this, be prepared to be surprised at what the Lord might whisper to you in your heart!

May the blessings of the Lord Jesus, whose birth in a cave in Bethlehem we joyfully await, descend upon all of you.

+Borys Gudziak
Archbishop of Philadelphia for Ukrainians
Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in the United States

+Paul Chomnycky, OSBM (author)
Eparch of Stamford

+Benedict Aleksiychuk, MSU
Eparch of St. Nicholas in Chicago

+Bohdan J. Danylo
Eparch of St. Josaphat in Parma

+John Bura
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

+Andriy Rabiy
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

November, 2019