Essays on the biography of the Greek Catholic priest Omelyan Kovch

Abstract

The paper represents an attempt of research of the Greek Catholic priest Omelyan Kovch’s life through the prism of life-threatening situations. This problem is insufficiently studied in the present historical science, consequently it requires further research.

The principal emphasis of this investigation is focused on the description and analysis of specific potentially life-threatening situations in the life of Omelyan Kovch. It is mentioned that this priest had to go through many such thorny trials, which could have been fatal for him.

The opinion about periodic nature of the occurrence of severe personal trials, as well as the degree of their danger under one or another authority is substantiated on the base of the analysis of the factual material presented in the article. It is stated that stages of national liberation struggles and the Second World War were the most life-threatening periods for Father Omelyan Kovch, while the incomplete two interwar decades were relatively safe for him.

Significant attention is dedicated to finding out the behavior of this spiritual person during the emergence of critical dangerous moments. In conclusion, it is stated that in each case Father Omelyan Kovch behaved according to specific circumstances and that he was often helped by personal qualities such as courage, bravery and intelligence. Other factors also contributed to his rescue, including great respect between believers and their help in case of danger.

The paper is also dedicated to revealing the circumstances and factors due to which the Greek Catholic priest Omelyan Kovch managed to overcome life’s dangerous challenges. There were many of them, and they are described in the text of the research. Simultaneously, the attention is focused on Omelyan Kovch’s dedication to God and service to people. In the author’s opinion, these features represent the determining factor for saving the life of the priest. It is noted that with God’s care, Father Omelyan Kovch happily passed through the crucible of devastating situations. Thanks to a deep faith in God, he decided on a suffering path at the end of his earthly existence.