LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (06/10/01)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Re: the mausoleum in Bound Brook

Dear Editor:

Re: "Orthodox Church dedicates memorial mausoleum/museum," it is true that the space beneath St. Andrew's Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, N.J., was inhospitable to the multitude of priceless museum pieces exhibited there for some 35 years. And it is also true that then Archbishop Mstyslav intended the space beneath the altar of St. Andrew's to be utilized as a mausoleum.

But what is not stated in the article is that then Archbishop Mstyslav envisioned crypts beneath the altar of St. Andrew's where the hierarchs of our Church (metropolitans, bishops, archbishops), deserving clergy, prominent Ukrainian patriots and individuals worthy of such an honor were to be buried in this place of honor. That was his original plan and intent. It was published in the Ukrainian Orthodox Word and can be verified by anyone over the age of 60 who was an active member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at that time.

However, newly published articles do not mention this important distinction. All that was stated is that the Church is building what was originally intended. And as The Ukrainian Weekly article reported, the Church is willing to sell crypts to anyone interested in contacting the UOC-USA Consistory. It is rumored that some crypts have already been sold for $10,000 each. With some 223 crypts, that is a valuable piece of real estate beneath the altar of St. Andrew's.

Unfortunately, Archbishop Mstyslav's vision could not be fulfilled.

Incidentally, the reason for the very humid, inhospitable environment in the basement of St. Andrew's is the high water table. When the foundation was excavated, the entire basement area was flooded and the plans for the basement crypts were abandoned. Tons of concrete were poured in order to lay a foundation for the structure and to prevent continuous flooding of the basement.

No one will disagree that churches and cathedrals of any faith in any part of the world are indeed used for burials. But these places of honor are reserved for prominent individuals such as kings, national heroes and Church leaders, such as bishops, archbishops, cardinals, etc. They are not used for burying anyone who is wealthy enough to pay for such a privilege. Where else but in St. Andrew's Memorial Church can one pay $10,000 and, as advertised in the official Holy Resurrection Mausoleum bulletin, "rest in a serene setting," next to Patriarch Mstyslav, the first patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus'-Ukraine.

What it really comes down to, unfortunately, is money and the unabashed way in which it is being pursued.

Victor Babanskyj
Watchung, N.J.

Architect comments on Kyiv cathedral

Dear Editor:

The "Mussolini Modern" design for the Catholic cathedral in Kyiv probably accurately reflects the level of present-day culture in Ukraine and the sophistication of the Catholic hierarchy there. But it will be a source of embarrassment for many many years to come.

Zenon Mazurkevich
Philadelphia

The letter writer is an architect.

Letter encourages us to become united

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to the letter by Matthew T. Connelly (May 13) praising Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk's commentary (March 25).

Mr. Connelly, you have spoken the truth, and the truth should encourage all Ukrainians to stand up as one united people and fight for justice against our common enemies, wherever they may be. Thank you, sir, very much.

In unity there is strength for us Ukrainians. May God grant us that unity. A divided house cannot stand up against the winds and storms of hatred, lies and discord that we, Ukrainians, struggle with and are being confronted with constantly. We must unite to fight.

We must be alert to those impostor Ukrainians who cause dissension by carrying on subversive activities that undermine our relations with one another. These impostor Ukrainians give high priority to their cause, and we must not let them succeed. With God's help they won't.

In conclusion, let me state that we, Ukrainians of all faiths, Catholic, Orthodox and other, must not forget that we are one little flock, under one heavenly father, whose pleasure it is to grant us religious freedom and an independent Ukraine.

So please, for now, put away all your prejudices, biases and animosities, if you have any, and let us unite as one with a loud and powerful voice to overcome those who have sinister motives to achieve their evil intentions.

Glory to God, glory to the patriotic Ukrainians and glory to a free and independent Ukraine.

Joseph Cieply
Monessen, Pa.

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