Patriarch Volodomyr (Romaniuk)
Encyclopedia
Patriarch Volodymyr (Romaniuk Vasyl Omelianovych) (1925, Khymchyn – July 14, 1995) was the Patriarch
of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchy.
He was an ex-political (member of OUN) prisoner who was imprisoned for 17 years (1944–1954, 1972–1979). In 1979 he became a member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
, was exiled from 1979 till 1982, and became a political emigrant at the end of 1980s.
Between 1987–1990, Vasyl Romaniuk lived in Canada
and was a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
. Also he served under the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
, whose Metropolitan was Metropolitan Mstyslav (later Patriarch of Kiev). In 1990 with the onset of Perestroyka he returned to Ukraine
and became Bishop
of Uzhgorod and Vynohradiv
. For a short period of time, he was Archbishop
of Lviv
and Sokal
. In 1993, by the decree
of Patriarch Mstyslav (Skrypnyk) he was excommunicated for accepting ordination
from Metropolitan Filaret (Denysenko)
.
On October 14, 1993 he was elected Patriarch
of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchy.
On July 14, 1995 Patriarch Volodymyr (Romaniuk) suddenly died under somewhat mysterious circumstances, with the official diagnosis being causes related to a heart attack
. His burial took place on July 18, 1995. Many religious and faithful
called the day of burial black Tuesday, because of confrontations that took place between members of the clergy
, laypeople
of different denominations
and the nationalist militia
battling riot police
, after an unsuccessful attempt to have him buried on the premisis of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev
. At least two people were killed, dozens more injured.
Patriarch Volodymyr (Romaniuk) was succeeded by Metropolitan Filaret (Denysenko)
who was enthroned as Patriarch
of Kiev
and All Rus’ - Ukraine
on October 22, 1995.
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchy.
He was an ex-political (member of OUN) prisoner who was imprisoned for 17 years (1944–1954, 1972–1979). In 1979 he became a member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
The Helsinki Committees for Human Rights exist in many European countries as volunteer, non-profit organizations devoted to human rights and presumably named after the Helsinki Accords...
, was exiled from 1979 till 1982, and became a political emigrant at the end of 1980s.
Between 1987–1990, Vasyl Romaniuk lived in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and was a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada is an Eastern Orthodox Church in Canada, primarily serving Ukrainian Canadians. Its former name was the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada ...
. Also he served under the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA is a jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States. It consists of three eparchies , ruled by two diocesan bishops, including about 85 active parishes and missions. The Church's current primate is Metropolitan Constantine...
, whose Metropolitan was Metropolitan Mstyslav (later Patriarch of Kiev). In 1990 with the onset of Perestroyka he returned to Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
and became Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Uzhgorod and Vynohradiv
Vynohradiv
Vynohradiv , , Yiddish: סעליש ) is a city in western Ukraine, Zakarpattia Oblast. It has 27,600 inhabitants . It is center of Vynohradiv Raion.-Location:The city lies near the river Tisza and the border with Romania...
. For a short period of time, he was Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Lviv
Lviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
and Sokal
Sokal
Sokal is a town located on the banks of the Bug River in the Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Sokal Raion , the city itself also ranks as a separate raion within the oblast.- History :...
. In 1993, by the decree
Decree
A decree is a rule of law issued by a head of state , according to certain procedures . It has the force of law...
of Patriarch Mstyslav (Skrypnyk) he was excommunicated for accepting ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
from Metropolitan Filaret (Denysenko)
Patriarch Filaret (Mykhailo Denysenko)
Patriarch Filaret is the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate , former Metropolitan bishop of Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret (secular name in Ukrainian Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko, in Russian Mikhail Antonovich Denisenko, officially His Holiness, the Patriarch of...
.
On October 14, 1993 he was elected Patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchy.
On July 14, 1995 Patriarch Volodymyr (Romaniuk) suddenly died under somewhat mysterious circumstances, with the official diagnosis being causes related to a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. His burial took place on July 18, 1995. Many religious and faithful
Faithful
Faithful may refer to:* Faithfulness* Faithful , a baptised Catholic* Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season, a book about the Boston Red Sox...
called the day of burial black Tuesday, because of confrontations that took place between members of the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
, laypeople
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
of different denominations
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
and the nationalist militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
battling riot police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
, after an unsuccessful attempt to have him buried on the premisis of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev is an outstanding architectural monument of Kievan Rus'. Today, it is one of the city's best known landmarks and the first Ukrainian patrimony to be inscribed on the World Heritage List along with the Kiev Cave Monastery complex...
. At least two people were killed, dozens more injured.
Patriarch Volodymyr (Romaniuk) was succeeded by Metropolitan Filaret (Denysenko)
Patriarch Filaret (Mykhailo Denysenko)
Patriarch Filaret is the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate , former Metropolitan bishop of Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret (secular name in Ukrainian Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko, in Russian Mikhail Antonovich Denisenko, officially His Holiness, the Patriarch of...
who was enthroned as Patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
of Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
and All Rus’ - Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
on October 22, 1995.