Catholics in Sumy

Catholic parish in Sumy

From the beginning of XX century, when in 1901 the Blessed Virgin Mary Annunciation Church had been founded in Sumy, town had become the center of North-East Ukrainian Catholicism. After its consecration in 1911 and closing down by the authorities in two decades, the temple was used for unproper purpose. Only after the disintegration of USSR the temple had been retrieved to regenerate Roman-Catholic parish in May 1994 and had been solemnly reconsecrated in spring 1998.

First Masses (1911-1915) at the temple were lead by parish priest Fr. Theodor Ryllo. His successor (1916-1919) on the post had become chaplain Fr. A. Krzhivitsky.

The last registration had been in 1919, November 20. The last Mass, before the temple had been closed down, had been held in 1932 by Fr. Vagonis. First priest (September 1992-February 1995) of new parish had been appointed Fr. Vitaly Skomarovsky.

Next two parish priests had become Fr. Gennadius Bilinsky (March 1995-September 1997) and Fr. Felix Svintsitsky (September 1997-August 1999). Fourth parish (September 1999-June 2006) had been Fr. Stanislav Tanatarov. His successor (since 2006) had become present parish priest Fr. Arthur Surovsky.