Parma, Ohio, Oct 4, 2019 / 15:18 pm
The Ruthenian Bishop of Parma last week erected Christ the Bridegroom Monastery as a female monastery sui iuris of eparchial right.
The decision was made "in light of the present circumstances and the spiritual needs of the nuns of Christ the Bridegroom, and for the good of the people of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma for the Ruthenians."
Bishop Milan Lach's decree was given Sept. 27. As a sui iuris monastery of eparchial right, the community does not depend on another monastery, it is governed by its own typicon (rule of life), and it was erected by its bishop.
Sister Natalia, a rasophore (novice) of the community, explained to CNA that "our canonical establishment is a promise that our eparchy is here for us and desires our presence. It's a promise, too, that we are here for our eparchy, as we are for the world – dedicating our lives in prayer, fasting, and hospitality."