When
one enters the Shrine, one is walking on holy ground. In the shrine are the
First Class Relics of Blessed Bishop and Martyr Vasyl Velychkovsky. His
sacred body, which suffered unto the point of death for the sake of Christ, is
found in a sealed stainless steel sarcophagus. Before these relics pilgrims come
and pray, asking Blessed Vasyl to intercede for their needs before the Almighty
God.
The Shrine is
filled with symbolism and artworks which help the pilgrims enter into an
atmosphere of prayer and into the presence of the Holy.
Throughout
the floor there are 33 pairs of red oblong tiles, reminding the pilgrims of
footsteps, the footsteps of Christ and the footsteps of Blessed Vasyl. As the
pilgrims enter they become their footsteps, as the pilgrim enters the shrine,
reminding them that they too are called to follow in the footsteps of Christ
just as the martyr has.
As
one enters the shrine one is met with the sacred icon of Blessed Vasyl. In
his hand is a rosary revealing Blessed Vasyl's closeness to Mary the Mother of God.
A
second icon, Our Mother of Perpetual Help greets us. This icon was very dear to
Blessed Vasyl. His devotion to Mary, under the
title of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, became the reason for two of his arrests.
The
White Angel of the Resurrection points the way for the pilgrims. It points to
the empty tomb, proclaiming the "He is alive"! The angel also points
for the pilgrims the way to holiness seen in the symbolic circles and squares :
follow the 10 commandments, embrace the 7 Sacraments or Mysteries of the Church,
and live the way of the Cross (14 stations).
Throughout
the Shrine there are scripture quotes.
Behind
the sarcophagus is the Cross of the Resurrection. Blessed Vasyl like Jesus embraced
the Cross. It is through the Cross that new resurrected life erupts. Blessed
Vasyl now is 'Fully Alive' in Christ, radiant with His glory.
www.bvmartyrshrine.com
