Sestry Bazilianky
Narcisova, 1
080 01 Presov
Tel.: (421) 51 77 180 54
Fax: (421) 51 77 136 92
bazilianky.po@stonline.sk
www.bazilianky.wbl.sk
History
Five Basilian nuns, Mothers Magdalena
Humeniuk, Irena Oleksiuk, Ahneta Cenkner, Basilia Hlibovecka
and Markijana Matia, set out in 1921 from their monastery
in Stanislaviv (now Ivano-Frankivsk) for Uzhorod where
they were invited to serve the Greek-Catholic faithful.
In the meantime Rev. Nichoas Rusnak, D.D., General Vicar
of the Presov Eparchy, invited the Sisters to Presov
to administer a boarding school for girls preparing
to be teachers. They came August 25, 1922. In the years
following Bishop Dionysij Narjadi was also their generous
benefactor.
In 1929, Blessed Bishop Pavlo Gojdich, OSBM,
procured a new monastery for the Sisters. Part of the
monastery building became a dormitory for girls. Later
Sisters expanded their activity to Medzilaborce and
Secovce. They established kindergartens, taught in city
schools and worked in Churches. Following World War
II, Sisters cared for orphans in Stropkov and Svidnik.
After the war, persecution of the Greek
Catholic Church and liquidation of monasteries started
in Zakarpatia. For a brief period (1947 - 1950), Basilian
Sisters found refuge in Czechoslovakia. In 1949, liquidation
of monasteries began in Czechoslovakia. The secret police
raided the Presov monastery and incarcerated some Sisters.
Further raids were to pressure candidates and young
Sisters to abandon religious life or accept Orthodoxy.
After forty years of oppression, inhumane
conditions of life, existence under constant surveillance
and frequent relocation, Sisters found work with the
mentally impaired in 1969 in Bardejov. Clandestinely,
Sisters reestablished their monastic way of life, in
Svidnik and Bardejov in 1969. Here through the spiritual
efforts of Father Marian Potas, OSBM, new vocations
were secretely gained.
With the fall of the Iron Curtain,
Sisters were free to spread their apostolate. They began
to live and work in the Presov monastery in 1991.
Ministries
Prayer
The primary invaluable activity of the Sisters
is prayer. Prayer - dialogue with God - is the source
of spiritual strength and inner peace. Prayer helps
us to discern God's will. It stimulates the love
of neighbor and disposes one to forgive. In prayer our
eyes are opened to the needs of others and the heart
responds with generosity and service. Prayer helps us
to endure trials patiently. It increases our zeal for
goodness and peace.
Sisters
of the Province pray the Divine Office daily. Besides
private prayers, those who are not actively involved
in apostolates also pray the Hours or recite Psalms
for the various intentions of the Church, the Order,
the needs of the world and people. Many people often
come to the monastery, confide their troubles and ask
for prayers. At the monastery, Divine Liturgies are
offered for their intentions. Each month, Sisters gather
together with lay people, to pray before the Blessed
Sacrament for peace in the world.
Education
and teaching
Sisters are engaged in educating and
teaching, mainly in Presov at Saint Basil the Great
High School and boarding facility for their students.
At the high school, Sisters educate students, the future
nurses, in the spirit of Christian morality. Attached
to the school are, Blessed Pavel Gojdych, OSBM, School
of Health Preservation and Social Work. For the high
school and the faculty staff Sisters provide a family
atmosphere of freedom, compassion, hospitality and ecumenism.
Catechization
and religious upbringing - Sisters regularly
teach religion in public schools and catechize in parish
schools.
Pastoral Work with Youth
Spiritual Renewal Days -
For students of higher studies and high schools, Sisters
organize days of spiritual renewal, conducted by guest
priests. Duration of spiritual renewal is from one to
several days.
Youth
Encounters - Sisters organize encounters for children
and youth at the parishes. Their activities, among others,
include working to help poor children in third world
countries by receiving donation through caroling at
Christmas time. The Sisters also prepare stage programs
for various occasions, visit the sick and elderly.
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Summer
Camps "Basiliada" - In the Summer,
Sisters organize and conduct summer camps for
children (from the age of 6 to 15). During this
time of relaxation amid nature, Sisters nurture
the youth in a Christian spirit. Daily activities
include prayer, trips, excursions, games, competitions,
Bible study, singing, group living with others
of the same age and nature appreciation. |
Apostolate
Among the Romi - Sisters are actively involved
in the education of the Romi. They teach at the Preschool
for Children, catechize and organize pilgrimages, summer
camps and trips for children. Days of renewal for girls
and encounters for Romi youth are planned. Sisters prepare
the Romi children for the sacraments of Reconciliation,
Holy Communion and Confirmation. Sewing, cooking and
baking courses are offered for teenagers and adults.
Pastoral
Work with Adults
In various monasteries in cooperation
with the Eparchial clergy or under the direction of
the Basilian Fathers, Sisters conduct monthly one-day
encounters for women or a general encounter and adult
catechesis. Once a month Sisters organize prayer meetings.
Ministry
to the Sick
Sisters are engaged in nursing in
a public hospital. Sisters attend to the elderly and
sick Sisters and priests, also visit the sick, bring
them food and help them with various needs. During vacation,
Sisters work in a nursing home in Vienna, Austria, where
they care for the elderly and sick.
Ecclesial
Arts
Iconography - Sisters write
a variety of icons based on different themes. The beautiful
icons and iconostasis in the Sisters' chapels in Presov
and Bardejov are written by Sisters.
Ecclesial
Sewing - Besides writing icons, Sisters sew
church vestments for Liturgical services, make
banners for churches, altar linens and other items
for use during liturgical services. |
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Participation
in the Life of the Church and Society
Sisters also work in other areas of
need, in ecclesial offices, and collaborate with various
social and charitable organizations. Many Sisters are
augmenting their studies, to prepare themselves for
their ministry to the Church and God's people competently.
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