Thursday, October 27, 2011

This Year's Vatican Christmas Tree To Come From Ukraine

Zakarpattia region intends to deliver the main Christmas tree to the Vatican this year, the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church said in the press-release. 

"A fir-tree from Ukraine will be first erected in the Vatican," the press-release said.

Besides, Lviv region will bring a fir-tree for the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican City, according to the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.

These facts show that Ukraine belongs to the community of European nations, the press-release said.

It is planned that the opening ceremony at the Vatican Christmas tree will be attended by not only the bishops of the Catholic churches of Ukraine, but also representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, according to the press-release.

The tradition to establish the main Christmas tree appeared in the Vatican in the 20th century during the pontificate of John Paul I.

They placed nativity scenes at the foot of the tree and the Pope blesses them on December 24.

Last year the tree came from Italy.

Tree height was 34 m, age 94 years, and the weight of 5 tons.

As Ukrainian News reported, on July 1 the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Lviv region instituted criminal proceedings against illegal logging by military forestry officials in Skole district, Lviv region.