In a special event hosted by the Stauropegium of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Wednesday, December 13, the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Bishop Michael of Koman, presented the liturgical book, the Apostle in the aprakos format in a modern Ukrainian translation.
The aprakos, translated from Greek for Ukrainian Orthodoxy for the first time in several centuries, is a special type of liturgical book, where the text of the Holy Scriptures is presented according to the annual liturgical schedule. The aprakos format is more applicable in the Hellenic tradition.
During the presentation, Bishop Michael thanked the UOC of the USA, thanks to which it became possible to publish a whole series of translations of liturgical books in the aprakos format. The UOC of the USA continues to actively promote the spiritual growth of believers, expanding opportunities for an even deeper understanding of the Holy Scriptures. The books will be distributed free of charge among clergymen, chaplains, church readers, and students from theological educational facilities.
“The publication saw the light of day thanks to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, in particular Bishop Anthony (Shcherba) and Bishop Daniel Zelinsky. These editions were published at the expense of the UOC of the USA, and therefore we are able to distribute these books from our brothers in the USA to Ukrainian believers as a gift. Those who will use it, be sure to remember the health of the donors who made possible the publication and distribution of both the Gospel and the Apostle,” said the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The bishop recalled that at the beginning of this year, the Gospel in the aprakos format was presented, which became very popular and was republished for the second time by the Foundation in memory of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr. The same translators worked on the Aprakos Apostle.
The leader of Stauropegium, who was involved in designing the book, also asked future users of the books to send constructive feedback, so that it would be taken into account in future reprints. Feedback regarding the improvement of the previous edition of the Gospel was received not only from clerics of the OCU, but also from the UOC and UGCC, who also use this edition, the bishop said.
The Exarch also thanked the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Speech and its chief specialist for interaction with religious organizations, Vyacheslav Horshkov. The bishop noted that the team that worked on the book is open to cooperation.
One of the main proofreaders, Maksym Biletskyi, said during the event that the approach to the translation was a little different. He explained that different languages were used, not only the original ones. When the original text did not shed light on the content of what was meant, translators into other languages came to assistance, explained Biletskyi.
Father Rostyslav Vorobiy, who also participated in the translation, expressed his joy that the world saw the publication of the Apostle. He thanked the bishop for the initiative in publishing such books.
The head of the project, Maryna Burdeinaya, said that everyone now is aware of the word ‘aprakos’. And now we can talk about a series of books in this format. She also thanked the readers for their support and asked not to lose interest because “we will not stop there.”
UGCC priest Ihor Shaban conveyed greetings from the head of the UGCC, Archbishop Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) and explained that he was unable to attend because he was part of the Synod in Chernivtsi. The priest also shared that the UGCC is also working on the translation of the Holy Scriptures and called for cooperation with their mission.
Vice-rector of KDAiS, UOC priest Serhiy Yushchyk praised the “new” text of the Holy Scriptures. “I most welcome the liturgical translation of the Holy Scriptures, and it was the Patriarchate of Constantinople that could bring this to Ukraine, since they had an aprakos in their tradition,” he said. The father noted that the translation may be inaccurate, but the sermon during the service will return an authentic and correct understanding of those places where a comma or even a full stop was missed.
Metropolitan Oleksandr (Drabynko), who was invited as well, could not attend the event due to the death of his father.
The presentation of the Liturgical Apostle in the Aprakos format opens new perspectives for the development of Ukrainian Orthodox book publishing, which unites different Christians.
