The world’s first Church of St. John Paul II is in Transcarpathia

On the day of memory of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary of Mukachevo, Bishop Milan and Bishop Nil consecrated a new church of St. John Paul II in the village of Antalovtsi in Uzhgorod district.

According to Mukachevo Greek Catholic diocese, the new church was built on the territory of the retreat house of Saint John Paul II, the Pope, because the old Holy Protection Church was handed over to the Moscow Patriarchate during the Soviet era. Every summer, the retreat house serves as a camp for more than a thousand children and young people, and throughout the year retreats and spiritual meetings take place there.

On the opening day, 31 priests concelebrated the Bishops Service. Venerable Petro (Beresh), on the occasion of the consecration of the temple, brought a part of the relics of St. John Paul II.

After the divine service, the Bishop consecrated the "Road of Light" with quotations from the Gospels and reflections on Resurrection on 14 stations.