The Catechism In A Year
(Starting TBD, Late 2023)
Welcome to the Ukrainian Fire Chaplain Show ’s study series: “The (Ukrainian Catholic) Catechism In (less than) A Year”!
In 33 weeks, we will work through the Ukrainian Catholic Catechism, Christ Our Pascha.
Our Eastern equivalent to Fr. Mike Schmitz “The [Latin] Catechism In A Year” is NOT a “copycat” or “knock off.”
Our readings and reflections are based off of the writings of many of the Church Fathers and leaders of our Church. Also, our catechism is primarily based upon the texts and prayers of the Divine Liturgy (Mass) and Divine Praises (Liturgy of the Hours) of our Eastern (Byzantine-Ukrainian) Services.
This daily study series of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC)—the largest of all the Eastern Catholic Churches—is scheduled to begin after Easter of 2023. Our readings and reflections will be available on YouTube and on over a dozen podcast platforms.
The 33-week “Study Plan” contains the outline of the daily reading schedule for our series; it can be found below.
Also, a FREE PDF of our catechism Christ Our Pascha can be found at the bottom of this page.
Click to listen on Apple Podcasts
Click to listen on Amazon Music
Click to listen online (and other platforms)
In part one of each episode, Fr. Dn. Christopher will present a short reading (about 10 minutes) from Christ Our Pascha, our Ukrainian Catholic Catechism.
In part two of each episode, Fr. Dn. Christopher will typically share a short explanation (about 10 minutes) of the reading with some practical insights and inspiration.
Our Ukrainian catechism offers answers to the most profound questions about the meaning and purpose of life. It also offers wisdom and perspective on the Catholic Faith, Sacraments, and Morals from a uniquely Eastern understanding and experience of Christianity.
In his introductory letter to Christ Our Pascha, the Head and Father of our Ukrainian Church—Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk—wrote that,
“In 1992, the Catechism of the Catholic Church was published, and a Ukrainian translation appeared in 2002. One of the goals of the Catechism of the Catholic Church was to serve as an authentic and proper guide for the compilation of future local catechisms. [St John Paul II noted that] ‘[the universal] catechism is not meant as a substitute for the various local catechisms. … Rather it is meant to encourage the creation of new and local catechisms that are better equipped to take into account the unique nuances of particular cultures, while at the same time remaining diligently faithful to the unity of faith and Catholic teaching.’
The particularity of the UGCC theological tradition, which is Eastern Christian in origin, defines the need of a separate catechism for our Church. [St] John Paul II, Pope of Rome, drew attention to this theological particularity: ‘In the study of revelation, East and West have followed different methods … these various theological formulations are often to be considered mutually complementary rather than conflicting.’ His Beatitude Lubomyr expressed this same thought: ‘Christ’s teaching is one and the same for everyone. Faith in Christ is also the same for all Catholics, regardless of which Rite or Particular Church they belong to. However, the theological understanding of divinely revealed Truths can be different in various cultures, just as liturgical Rites are different.'”
The study plan we will be following adopts the layout of Christ Our Pascha, which was written in three principal parts:
(1-GREEN) The Faith of the Church,
(2-BLUE) The Prayer of the Church, and
(3-YELLOW) The Life of the Church.
Additionally, there are two other short segments of the series:
(A-ORANGE) an introduction with the study of the Anaphora of St Basil and
(B-GREY) a summary section with key beliefs and specific Byzantine prayers.
We look forward to journeying with you through our catechism!
You can download the FREE PDF copy of Christ Our Pascha catechism HERE.
CONTENT ADVISORY: Some portions of this series (such as treatment of the 6th and 9th Commandments, among others) may contain content and adult discussions unsuitable for children and young listeners.
Fr. Dn. Christopher is Ukrainian clergy and is producing this catechism study series with the support and blessing of the Commission for the Catechism of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.
To learn about Fr. Dn. Christopher, CLICK HERE.
To contact us, CLICK HERE.