‘Cross of Gratitude’ comes to town

SHENANDOAH – It was crafted just over two decades ago, weighs 800 pounds, has travelled the world, and now it’s in Shenandoah for the next few weeks.

The Cross of Gratitude was crafted by Vitaliy Sobolivskyy in Lviv, Ukraine in 2003. It received the blessing of three popes — Pope John Paul II in 2004, Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 and 2012, and Pope Francis in 2016. Since it was crafted, it has been to 47 countries and capitals in Europe, including Kiev, Warsaw, Vilnius, Dublin, Amsterdam, Rome, Paris, and London.

Sunday evening, the cross, towed by a minivan, ascended the Chestnut Street hill and arrived at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.

The Sentinel was there as volunteers and members of the parish teamed up to carry the Ukrainian oak cross into the church building.

During Divine Liturgy Tuesday night, Father Bohdan Vasyliv talked about the cross and its travels as it laid in display at the center of the chapel.

“It comes as one piece. It doesn’t come apart. This cross weighs 800 pounds,” Vasyliv said.

He also spoke of the history of the cross, noting that Sobolivskyy received a calling as he was working on Easter Sunday, God saying “Take my cross and carry it to all the capital cities of the world.”

“This great symbol that’s here, this is the love of God,” Vasyliv said. “This is the biggest sacrifice there can be.”

Vasyliv said hosting the cross in Shenandoah is an honor. St. Michael’s is the first Ukrainian Catholic church in the United States.

About a dozen parishioners came to the Divine Liturgy service Tuesday to see the cross.

It will be in town until July 20 and is on display for Akathist at 4pm Mondays until then, Divine Liturgy on Tuesdays and Thursday’s at 4pm, and at regular services.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Cross’s Arrival
Divine Liturgy

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