Romža
Teodor v baziliánskom monastieri Glen Cove, USA. Obraz namaľovaný v 80-tych
rokov 20. storočia. Photo taken by Jozafát Vladimír Timkovič, OSBM
Bienheureux Théodore
Romzsa
Évêque et martyr en
Ukraine (+ 1947)
Né en 1911 à Velykyj Bychkiv au Sud-Ouest de l'Ukraine.
Béatifié à Lviv par Jean-Paul II le 27 juin 2001.
À Mukachiv en Ukraine, l'an 1947, le bienheureux Théodore Romzsa, évêque et
martyr. Sous le régime soviétique, il resta sans relâche fidèle à l'Église
catholique et, après une tentative d'assassinat au cours d'une visite
pastorale, il fut empoisonné par la police d'État.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/10562/Bienheureux-Theodore-Romzsa.html
Bienheureux Théodore
Georges ROMZSA
Nom: ROMZSA
Prénom: Théodore Georges
(Teodor)
Pays: Ukraine
Naissance:
14.04.1911 à Velykyj Bychkiv (Transcarpathie)
Mort:
01.11.1947 à Mukacevo
Etat: Evêque
Note: Prêtre de l'Église
gréco-catholique en 1936. Curé puis professeur au séminaire. Evêque en 1944.
Résiste au communisme en refusant le rattachement à l'Église orthodoxe.
Gravement blessé dans un accident volontaire, puis empoisonné à l'hôpital.
Béatification:
27.06.2001 à Lviv par Jean Paul II
Canonisation:
Fête: 1er novembre
Réf. dans l’Osservatore
Romano: 2001 n.27 p.9-10
Réf. dans la
Documentation Catholique: 2001 n.15 p.747-749
Notice
Teodor (Théodore) Georges
Rhomzha naît dans une humble famille le 14 avril 1911 à Velykyj Bychkiv dans la
Transcarpathie au Sud-Ouest de l'Ukraine. Enfant joyeux et étudiant très
populaire, il étonne tout le monde en annonçant son intention de devenir prêtre.
Il part à Rome en 1930 pour se former au "Russicum", collège
pontifical créé à la demande de Pie XI, dans le but de se préparer à un travail
missionnaire dans la Russie soviétique. Il fréquente aussi l'Université
grégorienne. Ordonné prêtre le 25 décembre 1936, il obtient une licence l'année
suivante. De retour dans son pays, il est nommé au printemps de 1938 curé de
Berezovo dans la région de Chust, prêtre pauvre parmi les pauvres. En mars
1939, après l'occupation des Carpates par les Hongrois alliés aux allemands, le
Père Romzha est nommé directeur spirituel et professeur de philosophie au
séminaire d'Oujgorod (Uzhorod). Il est ensuite nommé administrateur apostolique
de Mukachevo et le 24 septembre 1944 il est ordonné évêque de cette éparchie
(ou diocèse). Après avoir subi la main de fer des Nazis de 1941 à 1944, on
s'attend d'un moment à l'autre à l'occupation russe, ce qui advient. En 1946,
Staline supprime d'autorité l'Église uniate (catholique) et la rattache aux
orthodoxes. L'évêque refuse de renier l'union avec le Saint-Siège, et se fait
l'infatigable défenseur des droits de l'Église catholique. Il s'oppose aux
expulsions de prêtres et à la confiscation des biens du clergé, ce que les
Rouges réalisent quand même par la force. Finalement les Soviétiques lui
proposent un marché: Ils cesseront leurs persécutions s'il entraîne ses fidèles
à rejeter le Vatican pour se rallier au Patriarcat orthodoxe de Moscou. Il
refuse de céder à leurs intimidations et encourage au contraire prêtres et
fidèles à rester fidèles à Rome. Son exemple contribue au maintien de la foi
dans son diocèse et fait de lui un symbole de la résistance. Étant donné qu'il
est difficile de trouver une raison même fictive à son arrestation, son
assassinat est alors projeté. A l'occasion d'une visite pastorale, il est
renversé volontairement dans un accident d'automobile. Grièvement blessé, il
est transporté à l'hôpital de Mukacevo. L'Évêque convalescent est empoisonné
par le général de la police d'État et ses agents spéciaux et meurt le 1er novembre
1947. Il savait que sa confession de la foi lui coûterait la vie.
(Pour le contexte
historique, voir aussi la notice des 25 martyrs d'Ukraine) 2
Relics
of the Blessed Theodore Romzxha, venerated in the Cathedral of Uzhorod.
Reliquie
del beato Teodoro Romža, venerate nella cattedrale di Užhorod.
THE SERVANT OF GOD BISHOP
THEODORE ROMZHA
Giampaolo Mattei
A young Bishop killedat
the age of 36. Theodore Romzha — whose canonization cause was introduced on 8
November 1997 — is one of the multitude of witnesses to the faith who paid with
their lives for their fidelity to Christ and to the Church during the blood-stained
20th century and were victims of the insane ideologies that sought in violent
and treacherous ways to uproot the faith from European history.
The Carpathian region of
Ukraine was the scene of dramatic events in the last century. Until 1918 the area
belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It then became part of Czechoslovakia
until it too fell under Stalin's heel in 1944. The Greek Catholic Church in
Transcarpathia was relentlessly persecuted and in 1949 was officially
suppressed.
The young Byzantine-rite
Bishop of Mukachevo, Theodore Romzha, found himself living in a critical
period. Shortly before the arrival of the Red Army, he wrote: "The
frontier between Uzhorod and the Soviet Union is only 60 kilometres away....
Whatever will be will be. My goal is to do my apostolic work precisely among
them. I have no intention of running away.... Besides, it would be no disgrace
if they were to kill me. To die for Christ is to live for eternity".
When the Red Army arrived
in Uzhorod, the Bishop received a courteous visit from the commander, who
"reassured" him about the future and even invited him to speak at the
celebrations for the anniversary of the Russian Revolution. The Bishop's text
was obviously prudent: he thanked the Lord for the end of the war and exhorted
the people to pray for a stable and lasting peace. The Soviets however were
dissatisfied and had a doctored version of his speech published in the papers.
This was the go-ahead for systematic persecution. Churches were occupied and
assigned to the Orthodox. Priests were arrested. Bishop Romzha was asked to
make a declaration supporting the regime. He refused and was summoned by
Generals Petrov and Mechlis to account for his actions. Mechlis, who
represented the Soviet power, shouted in his face that now was the moment to
break with the Pope. Romzha firmly replied "no".
Two laws were enacted:
one on the freedom to change religion without formalities, and the other on the
confiscation of Catholic parish property. Romzha tried to prevent the situation
from deteriorating, but since even speaking to priests was becoming more and
more difficult for him, he undertook by horse and buggy a general pastoral
visit that lasted over a month.
The situation was not
easy. The Soviets tried to convince certain priests to let themselves be
arbitrarily named Bishops on condition that they collaborate. They received
only scornful refusals. On 29 June 1945 Carpathian Ukraine was annexed to
Soviet Ukraine. The situation deteriorated. But the more the regime tightened
its grip, the more Bishop Romzha insisted on his pastoral missions. The last
straw was the celebration of the Assumption attended by 83,000 pilgrims. Only
3,000 were Orthodox; the other 80,000 were Catholic. This was too much, and the
Soviets did not tolerate it: they decided to ambush the Bishop as he was
returning from one of his pastoral visits.
The account of his
assassination reads like the script of a B-grade horror film. On 27 October
1947 the Bishop was returning from Lavki, where he had consecrated a church. He
was accompanied by two priests and two seminarians. On the road between
Cereivitsi and Ivanovtsi, a lorry filled with soldiers and police drove into
the buggy at high speed, with the obvious intention of knocking it over and
passing off the Bishop's death as an accident. The horses died instantly. The
buggy was smashed to pieces. But Romzha and his companions survived the
accident unscathed. Then the soldiers, armed with iron bars, attempted to
finish the job: they kept hitting them until they appeared unconscious and were
then left for dead. Some passersby later came to their rescue and took them in
very serious condition to the Mukachevo hospital. The priests and seminarians
were discharged after a while, but Bishop Romzha stayed in the ward since his
injuries were more serious.
As the days passed his
condition improved. But the Basilian Sisters who were nursing him were suddenly
dismissed and replaced with a "trusted" nurse of the regime. It was
she who gave him the coup de grâce on 1 November 1947 by poisoning
him with gas. He died saying: "O Jesus...".
In a short time there was
almost nothing left of the Ukrainian Church. Five Dioceses, 10 Bishops, 3,500
priests 1,000 sisters and 500 seminarians, along with schools, newspapers and
publishing houses all vanished into nothing. Four million faithful were
deprived of pastors.
Theodore Romzha carried
out an intense mission for 36 years. He was born in 1911 at Veliky Bychkiv in
Transcarpathia. He grew up in the complicated reality of that land. Born in
Hungary, he became a Czechoslovak citizen and died under the Soviet regime. He
saw his country's name change at least five times.
After studying at the
secondary school in Chust from 1922 to 1930, he was sent to the Pontifical
German-Hungarian College in Rome to study at the Pontifical Gregorian
University. On 7 September 1934 he was transferred to the Russicum, while
continuing his studies at the Gregorian. He was ordained a priest by Bishop
Evreinov on Christmas Day 1936 in the Basilica of St Mary Major.
At the Pontifical
German-Hungarian College he "changed places", practically speaking,
with Alojzije Stepinac, another persecuted Pastor and martyr. Stepinac had come
to Rome in 1924, was ordained a priest on 26 October 1930 and celebrated Holy Mass
at St Mary Major on All Saints Day. After completing his studies, Stepinac
returned to Croatia in JuLy 1931.
Theodore Romzha also
returned home after completing his studies and hoped to be able to return to
Rome for further study. In 1937 he was drafted into military service in Prague,
since the Eparchy of Mukachevo was located in Czechoslovakia. After experience
in several Transcarpathian parishes he was appointed spiritual director at the
seminary and professor of philosophy. On 24 September 1944 he was consecrated
Bishop in the cathedral of Uzhorod by the Apostolic Administrator, Miklos
Dudas. Latin-rite Bishop Janos Settler of Satu Mare, Romania, and Bishop Istvan
Madaras of Kosice were ordained with him. His episcopal mission began at that
moment: three years into the tragedy of the Second World War.
Taken from:
L'Osservatore Romano
Weekly Edition in English
7 February 2001, page 8
L'Osservatore Romano is
the newspaper of the Holy See.
The Weekly Edition in English is published for the US by:
The Cathedral Foundation
L'Osservatore Romano English Edition
320 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Subscriptions: (410) 547-5315
Fax: (410) 332-1069
lormail@catholicreview.org
SOURCE : https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/servant-of-god-bishop-theodore-romzha-5900
The
Servant of God Bishop Theodore Romzha was born on 14 April 1911, in
the village of Veliky Bychkiv, Transcarpathia. From 1930-1933, he studied
philosophy in Rome and completed his theological education also in Rome from
1933-1937, culminating in a Licentiate. Shortly thereafter, he became an administrator
of the parish in Berezovo. Beginning in 1939, he was a professor of philosophy
at the seminary in Uzhorod. On 24 September 1944, he was ordained to the
episcopacy for the Mukachevo eparchy. During the Red Army presence in the
Carpathian region of Ukraine, he was tireless in his defence of the rights of
the Catholic Church there. On 27 October 1947, the Soviets attempted to kill
Bishop Romzha. Heavily wounded, he was taken to the hospital in Mukachiv, where
he was subsequently poisoned and died on 1 November 1947.
SOURCE : https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20010627_romza_en.html
Bishop Theodore G.
Romzha: A Victim Of Soviet Persecution
“I love you, O Lord,
my strength; You are my stronghold and my refuge!” – Ps. 18, 2-3 These
were the words which Bishop Theodore G. Romzha, the Apostolic Administrator of
the Mukachevo Eparchy (1944-1947), chose as his motto, i.e. the guiding
principle of his episcopal ministry. He was only 33 years old and yet he had to
face the invasion by the Soviets, followed by the persecution of the Greek
Catholic Church in Subcarpathian Ruthenia. However, he did not lose heart. He
defended his spiritual flock with great courage and love. He even laid down his
own life for his sheep. Therefore, he justly deserves our esteem. In him we
gained a powerful protector in heaven.
1. Bishop Theodore
G. Romzha was born of humble parentage on April 14, 1911 in Velikij Bychkiv, in
the heart of the colorful district of Maramorosh, Subcarpathian Ruthenia. He
was a pious and gifted young boy, and his only ambition was to become a priest.
He received his secondary
education at the gymnasium (high school) in Chust. Due to his friendly
disposition and scholastic achievements he became one of the most popular
students. His popularity increased even more when he proved himself as an
all-around athlete, excelling in soccer. At his graduation, he took everybody
by surprise when he announced his intention of becoming a priest. He was sent
to Rome for his priestly formation.
He lived at the
German-Hungarian College in Rome for the first two years and then, in 1932, he
moved to the Russian Pontifical Seminary, known as the “Russicum,” in order to
prepare himself for missionary work in Soviet Russia. It was indeed a
providential step, since in the “Russicum” he was expected to study communist
atheism and its ideology. Thus, unwittingly, he prepared himself for the Soviet
occupation of his native land. He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on
Christmas Day, December 25, 1936.
In the summer of the
following year he came home to celebrate his “first” Liturgy with the intention
of returning to finish his doctoral dissertation. But instead of returning to
Rome, he was drafted into military service and sent to protect his country
against the German invasion. To his friend in Rome he confided : ” I am going to
the front with a deep conviction of doing the will of God. Therefore, I do not
fear what will happen to me.”
2. Those were
turbulent days in Europe. Even after Father Romzha’s discharge from the army in
August 1938, the danger of approaching war remained. For this reason Bishop
Alexander Stojka (1932-1943) did not permit him to leave the country, but
appointed him to a forgotten parish of Berezovo, Maramorosh District. The young
priest Romzha became a poor pastor among poor people. There were times when he
could afford only one meal a day while trying to help his needy parishioners.
But he did not complain. On the contrary, he was always ready to help. To his
curious friend in Rome he wrote: “I live here as a pauper and yet I feel happy
and satisfied.”
Father Romzha was a good
and dedicated priest. He taught his parishioners not only to know their Faith
but also to live it. The parishioners once again became proud of their small
church. They could never forget him. He was their best pastor ever. In March 1939,
the Hungarians once more occupied Subcarpathian Ruthenia by force. Great
political and ecclesiastical changes followed. Bishop Stojka was forced by the
Hungarian government to reorganize even the Seminary Staff. Thus, in the fall
of 1939 Father Romzha was appointed Spiritual Director and Professor of
Philosophy at the Eparchial Seminary in Uzhorod.
One of his students later
recalled: “He was strict and demanding as a Professor, but as a Spiritual
Director he was fatherly and kind. He knew how to inspire us and to bring out
the best in us. Staying in close contact with us, his students, he was able to
transplant into our hearts the main features of his strong priestly character.
His dedication, genuine piety and generosity of heart.”
3. Even at the
Seminary Father Romzha found some time for pastoral work by helping in the
neighboring parishes. He enjoyed conducting missions and retreats for young
students. Every penny he earned he generously distributed to the poor. To the
mentioned friend in Rome he wrote: “I am living very unpretentiously, and yet
my pockets are always empty. But I am not discouraged, since I am working not
for the money but to please God.”
Bishop Stojka greatly
appreciated the dedicated work of Father Romzha, and in 1942 obtained for him
the papal dignity of Monsignor. But even then he remained a humble and
dedicated priest, inspiring and winning the admiration and respect of all those
who met him.
On May 31, 1943, during
the critical time of the war, Bishop Alexander Stojka suddenly died. In view of
the uncertainties of the time, the Holy See appointed Bishop Nicholas Dudash,
OSBM of Hajdudorog as the temporary administrator of the Mukachevo Eparchy.
While the Soviet army was rapidly approaching the Carpathian Mountains, the
Holy See promptly appointed Msgr. Theodore G. Romzha to succeed Bishop Dudash
as the Apostolic Administrator of Mukachevo. His episcopal ordination took
place in Uzhorod, September 24, 1944. A month later, the entire territory of
the Mukachevo Eparchy was occupied by the Red Army.
Bishop Romzha was
informed that Subcarpathian Ruthenia will be again incorporated into post-war
Czechoslovakia as an autonomous province. However, it soon became evident that
the Soviets would not relinquish this politically strategic region.
Consequently, on June 29, 1945, Subcarpathian Ruthenia was officially
incorporated into the Soviet Ukraine. Thus the young and inexperienced Bishop
Romzha found himself and his flock under Soviet atheistic rule.
4. At the beginning,
Bishop Romzha tried not to antagonize the Soviet authorities, although some
abusive and violent actions committed by the Soviet soldiers against the clergy
were reported to him. But when the Soviet authorities started to expel the
priests from their parishes at random and confiscate the church property, he
was forced to protest against such abuses.
The Soviets had a ready
answer: “Since the attitude of the Vatican is hostile toward the Soviet Union,
the Soviet government cannot tolerate within its borders the Greek Catholic
Church, loyal to the Vatican. Therefore, there is only one solution for you.
You must recognize and submit to the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Moscow.”
Bishop Romzha immediately replied : “I will rather die than betray my
Church!” This signalled the open persecution of the Greek Catholic Church in
Subcarpathia.
In the fall of 1945
Patriarch Alexis of Moscow appointed Bishop Nestor Sydoruk of Umany to head the
Orthodox Eparchy of Mukachevo. Nestor was hailed by the Soviet press as the
only legally appointed bishop, and received full support from the Soviet
authorities. Intimidation, violent removal and imprisonment of leading Greek
Catholic priests and faithful followed. It became clear that Bishop Nestor was
appointed to liquidate the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo.
Bishop Romzha decided to
fight. As the Good Shepherd, he was ready to lay down his own life for his
sheep. Although the Soviet authorities confiscated his car, he travelled long
distance by horse and buggy, just to reassure his faithful and to encourage
them to persevere until death, saying, ” They are taking from us our own
priests and churches, but they will never be able to take away our faith from
us.
5. During his
extensive visitations Bishop Romzha tried to sustain the faith of the weak, to
reassure the wavering, and to plead with those intimidated: “Faith is our
greatest treasure on this earth. To preserve our faith we must even be ready to
lay down our life. If we must die, then let us die as true martyrs, defending
our faith. One thing is sure that we never will abandon our faith nor betray
our Church.”
The faithful, supported
by dedicated clergy, responded enthusiastically. They stood united behind their
fearless Shepherd. Even some Orthodox parishes, seeing the violence and
injustice perpetrated by the Soviets, asked Bishop Romzha to accept them back
into the Catholic fold.
During these days of
violence and open persecution Bishop Romzha offered his prayers and sufferings
for the perseverance of his clergy and the faithful. He was sustained by his
unshakable confidence in God’s Providence, and down deep in his courageous
heart he vividly felt the protection of the Blessed Mother. There was no power
that could shake up his loyalty to the Holy See. In his mind there was only
“one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church,” established by our Lord on the rock
of Peter and headed by His Vicar on the earth, the Pope of Rome. For this truth
Bishop Romzha was ready to sacrifice his own life.
6. The Soviets were
unable to intimidate Bishop Romzha. Therefore, they decided to liquidate him.
First they staged a highway accident. The horse drawn carriage in which Bishop
was returning home from the rededication of the church in Lavki, near
Mukachevo, was rammed by a military truck. Bishop Romzha was badly injured, but
he survived the attempted murder. The passersby took him to the hospital in
Mukachevo. In a few days he began to regain his strength. Then suddenly, early
on the morning of November 1, 1947, he was found dead. The night before Bishop
Romzha’s death, the director of the hospital and a strange nurse, who promptly
disappeared the next day, were seen entering Bishop’s room about midnight. They
poisoned him! The Soviet authorities announced that Bishop Romzha died from
injuries suffered in his highway accident, but the people knew better. They
knew that their intrepid Shepherd was mercilessly killed for refusing to join
the Orthodox Church.
By his dedicated life
Bishop Romzha highly glorified God on earth, and by his heroic death he gave
living testimony to his Catholic faith, achieving the crown of martyrs. In him
we, and our own Byzantine Rite, gained a powerful Protector in heaven. Let us
then resolve to pray for his speedy beatification!
FROM THE POPE'S MESSAGE
“We cannot forget those
who in course of our modern times have been persecuted, imprisoned, tortured or
even suffered death on account of their faith and their love of Christ. Yes,
the present martyrs of the Church cannot be forgotten!”
(Passion Week, 1980)
PRAYER FOR BEATIFICATION
O gracious Lord, in Your
infinite goodness You have given us a fearless Bishop, Theodore G. Romzha, who
by his uncommon courage, sufferings, and violent death gave a heroic witness to
his unshakeable Faith and inspired our people to hold fast to their Faith in
time of persecution. Therefore, we humbly beseech You to glorify Your faithful
servant, that Man of Faith, Bishop Theodore, and to strengthen our Faith by
granting us through his kind intercession . . . (here make your request). For
you are a merciful and gracious God, and we render glory to you, Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
SOURCE : https://archpitt.org/bishop-theodore-g-romzha-a-victim-of-soviet-persecution/
Blessed Theodore Romzha
I love you, O Lord, my
strength; You are my stronghold and my refuge! (Psalm 18:2-3)
These were the words which Bishop Theodore G. Romzha, the
Apostolic Administrator of the Mukachevo Eparchy (1944-1947) chose as the motto for his episcopal ministry. At the age of
33, he faced the one of the most brutal and bloody persecutions of a Christian community in modern times, ultimately making
the ultimate sacrifice for his flock and his faith.
Bishop Theodore G. Romzha was born of humble parentage on
April 14, 1911 in Velikij Bychkiv, in the heart of the colorful district of Maramorosh,
Subcarpathian Ruthenia. He was a pious and gifted young boy, and his only
ambition was to become a priest. He received his secondary education at the
gymnasium (high school) in Chust. Due to his friendly disposition and
scholastic achievements he became one of the most popular students. His
popularity increased even more when he proved himself as an all-around athlete,
excelling in soccer. At his graduation, he took everybody by surprise when he
announced his intention of becoming a priest; and was sent to Rome for his
priestly formation.
He lived at the German-Hungarian College in Rome for the
first two years of his studies; then, in 1932, he moved to the Russian
Pontifical Seminary, known as the "Russicum," in order to prepare
himself for missionary work in Soviet Russia. It was indeed a providential
step, since at the "Russicum" he was expected to study communist
atheism and its ideology; unwittingly preparing himself for the Soviet
occupation of his native land. He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on
Christmas Day, December 25, 1936.
In the summer of the following year he came home to
celebrate his first Divine Liturgy in his own country with the intention of
returning to finish his doctoral dissertation. But instead of returning to
Rome, he was drafted into military service and sent to protect his country
against the German invasion. To his friend in Rome he confided: "I am
going to the front with a deep conviction of doing the will of God. Therefore,
I do not fear what will happen to me."
After Father Romzha's discharge from the army in August,
1938, the danger of another approaching war remained. For this reason Bishop
Alexander Stojka (1932-1943) did not permit him to leave the country, but
appointed him to a forgotten parish in Berezovo, Maramorosh District, where the
young Father Romzha became a poor pastor among poor people. There were times
when he could afford only one meal a day while donating from his own purse to
help his needy parishioners. To a curious friend in Rome he wrote: "I live
here as a pauper and yet I feel happy and satisfied." Father Romzha was a
good and dedicated priest, teaching his parishioners to know and live their
Faith by his own example.
In March, 1939, the Hungarians occupied Subcarpathian
Ruthenia by force, precipitating both political and ecclesiastical changes.
Bishop Stojka was forced by the Hungarian government to reorganize the
seminary; and in the fall of 1939, Father Romzha was appointed Spiritual
Director and Professor of Philosophy at the Eparchial Seminary in Uzhorod. One
of his students later recalled: "He was strict and demanding as a
Professor, but as a Spiritual Director he was fatherly and kind. He knew how to
inspire us and to bring out the best in us. Staying in close contact with us,
his students, he was able to transplant into our hearts the main features of
his strong priestly character: his dedication, genuine piety and generosity of
heart."
Even at the seminary, Father Romzha found time for pastoral
work by assisting in neighboring parishes, and conducting missions and retreats
for young students. Every penny he earned he generously distributed to the
poor. To the mentioned friend in Rome he wrote: "I am living very
unpretentiously, and yet my pockets are always empty. But I am not discouraged,
since I am working not for the money but to please God." Bishop Stojka
greatly appreciated the dedicated work of Father Romzha, and in 1942 obtained
for him Papal honors. Even so, he remained a humble and dedicated priest, inspiring
and winning the admiration and respect of all those who met him.
On May 31, 1943, during a critical time during the war,
Bishop Alexander Stojka suddenly died. In view of the uncertainties of the
time, the Holy See appointed Bishop Nicholas Dudash, OSBM, of Hajdudorog, as
the temporary administrator of the Mukachevo Eparchy. While the Soviet army was
rapidly approaching the Carpathian Mountains, the Holy See promptly appointed
Archpriest Theodore G. Romzha to succeed Bishop Dudash as the Apostolic
Administrator of Mukachevo; and his episcopal consecration took place in
Uzhorod, September 24, 1944. A month later, the entire territory of the
Mukachevo Eparchy was occupied by the Red Army. Bishop Romzha was informed that
Subcarpathian Ruthenia would be incorporated into postwar Czechoslovakia as an
autonomous province; however, it soon became evident that the Soviets would not
relinquish this politically strategic region. Consequently, on June 29, 1945,
Subcarpathian Ruthenia was officially incorporated into Soviet Ukraine; and the
young and inexperienced Bishop Romzha found himself and his flock under Soviet
rule.At first, Bishop Romzha tried not to antagonize the Soviet authorities, in
spite of abusive and violent actions committed by the Soviet soldiers against
the clergy; but when the Soviet authorities started to expel priests from their
parishes at random and confiscate church property, he was forced to protest.
The Soviets had a ready answer: to ensure the continuance of his ministry and the
safety of his clergy, Bishop Romzha must renounce all allegence to the Holy
See, place himself under the jurisdiction of the Partriarch of Moscow and
encourage his flock to do the same. Bishop Romzha immediately replied: "I
would rather die than betray my Church!" Thus began the open persecution
of the Byzantine Catholic Church in Subcarpathia. In the fall of 1945,
Patriarch Alexis of Moscow appointed Bishop Nestor Sydoruk of Umany to head the
Orthodox Eparchy of Mukachevo. Nestor was announced by the Soviet press to be
the only legally appointed bishop, and received full support from the Soviet
authorities. Intimidation and imprisonment of Byzantine Catholic priests
followed; and the official liquidation the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of
Mukachevo was underway.
Rather than flee, Bishop Romzha decided to fight. Although
the Soviet authorities confiscated his car, he traveled long distances by horse
and buggy, just to reassure his faithful and to encourage them to persevere
until death, saying, "They are taking from us our own priests and
churches, but they will never be able to take away our faith from us."
During these extensive and dangerous visitations, Bishop Romzha tried to
sustain the faith of the weak, to reassure the wavering, and to plead with
those intimidated: "Faith is our greatest treasure on this earth. To
preserve our faith we must even be ready to lay down our life. If we must die,
then let us die as true martyrs, defending our faith. One thing is sure: that
we never will abandon our faith nor betray our Church." The faithful,
supported by dedicated clergy, responded enthusiastically, and stood united
behind their fearless shepherd. Even some Orthodox parishes, seeing the
violence and injustice perpetrated by the Soviets, asked Bishop Romzha to
accept them back into the Catholic fold. During these days of
violence and open persecution Bishop Romzha offered his prayers and sufferings
for the perseverance of his clergy and the faithful he risked so much to serve.
He was sustained by his unshakable confidence in God's Providence; and down
deep in his courageous heart he vividly felt the protection of the Theotokos,
the Mother of God. There was no power that could shake his loyalty to the Holy
See; in his mind there was only "one, holy, Catholic and apostolic
Church," established by our Lord on the rock of Peter and governed by His
Vicar on the earth. For this truth Bishop Romzha was ready to sacrifice his own
life.
Unable to intimidate Bishop Romzha, the Soviets decided to
liquidate him, and staged a highway accident. The horse drawn carriage in which
the Bishop was returning home from the rededication of the parish church of
Lavki, near Mukachevo, was rammed by a military truck. Bishop Romzha was badly
injured, but survived; and passersby took him to the hospital in Mukachevo
where, after a few days, he began to regain his strength. Then suddenly, early
on the morning of November 1, 1947, he was found dead.
The night before Bishop Romzha's death, the director of the
hospital and a strange nurse, who had disappeared the next day, were seen
entering the Bishop's room about midnight. The Soviet authorities announced
that Bishop Romzha died from injuries suffered in his highway accident; but a
later investigation showed that he had, in fact, been poisoned.Blessed Theodore
Romzha was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 27, 2001. His relics are
enshrined in Holy Cross Cathedral in Uzhorod, Transcarpathia.
His Grace, Bishop John Kudrick of
Parma, has compiled a devotional booklet entitled A Prayer Journey Through the
Great Lenten Fast and Great and Holy Week, Inspired by Blessed Theodore Romzha.
For more information, please contact the Eparchy of Parma Office of
Evangelization, 1900 Carlton Road., Parma, Ohio 44134.BYZANTINE CATHOLIC
EPARCHY OF PASSAIC
445 LACKAWANNA
AVENUE
WOODLAND PARK, NJ
07424
973-890-7777
SOURCE : https://www.eparchyofpassaic.com/romzha
Oujhorod :
la cathédrale gréco-catholique de l’Exaltation-de-la-Sainte-Croix (en russe : Ужгородський
кафедральний собор), Oujhorod, Ukraine. L’Église catholique la reconnaît comme cathédrale de
l’éparchie de Moukatchevo, rattachée à l'Église grecque-catholique ruthène (de rite
byzantin, rattachée directement au Saint-Siège).Les
reliques du bienheureux Theodore
Romja ont été translatées en la cathédrale le 28 juin 2003.
Beato Teodoro
Giorgio Romzsa Vescovo e martire
Velikij Bickiv, Ucraina,
14 aprile 1911 - Mukacevo, Ucraina, 1° novembre 1947
Teodoro Giorgio Romzsa
era nato il 14 aprile 1911 nella regione dei Carpazi. Dopo gli studi a Roma fu
ordinato sacerdote della comunità greco-cattolica nel 1936. Rientrato nella sua
diocesi di Mukacevo, ne divenne vescovo a soli trentatré anni. Visse il suo
ministero coraggioso in anni difficilissimi, tra gli orrori della guerra prima
e le minacce comuniste poi. Il 27 ottobre 1947 fu autorizzato a recarsi in
visita a una chiesa del suo distretto. Ma in realtà si trattava di una
trappola: la sua carrozza venne investita da un camion e i superstiti picchiati
con spranghe di ferro. Per essere sicuri di ucciderlo all’ospedale dove fu
trasportato il vescovo Romza venne anche avvelenato. Ma la coraggiosa
testimonianza che aveva lasciato non morì: negli anni della persecuzione la
comunità greco-cattolica ne tenne viva la memoria. Papa Giovanni Paolo II
lo ha beatificato il 27 giugno 2001.
Emblema: Bastone
pastorale, Palma
Martirologio Romano: Nella
cittadina di Mukacevo in Ucraina, beato Teodoro Giorgio Romzsa, vescovo e
martire, che, in tempo di proibizione della fede, meritò di conseguire la palma
della gloria per aver conservato la fedeltà alla Chiesa.
Vescovo di Mukacevo della Chiesa greco-cattolica ucraina, fu il più giovane vescovo della Chiesa Cattolica a soli 33 anni. Nacque il 14 aprile 1911 nella Regione Subcarpatica, liceale nel 1930, divenne poi allievo del Collegio Germanico-Ungarico di Roma, frequentando gli studi di filosofia e teologia presso la Pontificia Università Gregoriana, passando poi al ‘Russicum’ per prepararsi all’opera missionaria in Russia.
Nel 1936 fu ordinato sacerdote, nel 1937 rientrò nella diocesi di Mukacevo di cui nel 1944 ne divenne vescovo in piena guerra mondiale e con una situazione politica incerta.
Nell’ottobre del 1944, l’Armata Rossa entrò nella Regione Subcarpatica e la Diocesi con la guida del suo vescovo si trovò di fronte alla pretesa dei russi di appoggiare l’unione della Regione con l’Ucraina Sovietica.
Richiamandosi al carattere apostolico della Chiesa, essa prese le distanze dalla proposta e questo fu interpretato come un’opposizione al potere dello Stato.
La repressione cominciò subito e dal 1944 il clero greco-cattolico fu perseguitato e imposto la consegna delle chiese alla Chiesa Ortodossa pravoslava, il regime inoltre impediva il funzionamento della diocesi di Mukacevo di cui Teodoro era vescovo.
Nel 1945 la Regione Subcarpatica fu annessa all’Ucraina e qui la persecuzione divenne più visibile, i conflitti con i pravoslavi divennero frequenti, mentre i fedeli greco-cattolici si schieravano coraggiosamente a difesa dei loro sacerdoti, il vescovo Teodoro indomito nei suoi principi era presente in ogni posto per confortare e sostenere clero e fedeli in questo periodo buio della storia della Chiesa greco-cattolica.
E quando nel 1946, dopo il consolidamento del potere sovietico nella Regione e dell’incorporazione delle diocesi greco-cattoliche della Galizia nel patriarcato ortodosso di Mosca, l’unica diocesi greco-cattolica che funzionasse nella Regione Subcarpatica era quella di Mukacevo.
Le autorità sovietiche erano ben consce della grande fede cattolica di questo popolo e della intrepida difesa del suo clero guidato dal giovane vescovo, pertanto non vollero usare la violenza per eliminarli e convogliarli forzatamente nella Chiesa Ortodossa fedele allo Stato.
Nel 1947, comunque a livello degli organi superiori dell’URSS fu decisa l’eliminazione del vescovo Teodoro Romza con morte violenta, Nikita Krusciov, allora capo del partito nell’Ucraina, ne ottenne l’autorizzazione da Stalin. Quando il vescovo, che era controllato continuamente nei suoi spostamenti, chiese il permesso di recarsi presso una chiesa nel suo distretto, gli fu accordato, con lo scopo di approfittare dell’occasione per creare un incidente automobilistico in cui poteva perdere la vita.
Il 27 ottobre 1947, la carrozza a cavallo del vescovo e del suo seguito, fu investita da un camion pesante e gli attentatori con spranghe di ferro, cercarono di ammazzare i superstiti, ma la comparsa di un furgone postale li fece fuggire. Ricoverati nell’ospedale di Mukacevo, ebbero subito la visita del generale Pavel Sudoplatov del Ministero della Sicurezza Statale, il quale con l’aiuto del medico primario e di un’infermiera fece somministrare al vescovo una dose del potente veleno kurare che provocò l’immediata morte; lo stesso generale lo raccontò nelle sue memorie.
La sua morte diede il coraggio a tutto il suo clero di opporsi alla distruzione della diocesi e ben 128 sacerdoti presero la via della prigionia e l’internamento in Siberia; la Chiesa greco-cattolica continuò nel nascondimento a vivere, in mezzo a continui controlli e persecuzioni, testimoniando la grande fede e il legame con la Sede Apostolica di Roma.
Giovanni Paolo II lo ha beatificato il 27 giugno 2001 durante il suo pellegrinaggio apostolico in Ucraina.
Autore: Antonio Borrelli
SOURCE : https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/90653
SOLENNE TRASLAZIONE DELLE
RELIQUIE DEL VESCOVO MARTIRE TEODOR ROMZHA
(Uzhgorod -
Ucraina, 27-28 giugno 2003)
Il 27 e il 28 giugno scorso l'Eparchia di Mukacheve di rito bizantino, in
Ucraina, ha celebrato solennemente la traslazione delle reliquie del Beato
Vescovo Martire Teodor Romzha, esemplare pastore della terra di Zakarpattia,
ucciso all'età di 37 anni, il 1° novembre 1947 in ospedale, ove era ricoverato
dopo un incidente stradale orchestrato dal regime comunista.
Teodor Romzha era nato il 14 aprile 1911 in Velyki Byckiv, in Zakarpattia; dal
1922 al 1930 frequentò il ginnasio di Hust. Inviato a Roma presso il Collegio
Germanico-Ungarico, iniziò gli studi filosofici e teologici alla Gregoriana,
dove conseguì il Baccalaureato in Teologia il 13 luglio 1935. Nel Natale del
1936, nella cappella del Russicum, fu ordinato sacerdote. Nel luglio 1937 tornò
in patria per il servizio militare, in qualità di cappellano a Praga.
L'Eparchia di Mukacheve si trovava in quel tempo nello Stato Ceco-Slovacco. Dal
1938 al 1939 fu amministratore di alcune parrocchie. In seguito fu scelto dal
suo vescovo come Padre Spirituale del Seminario e come Professore di Filosofia.
"Era preciso fino al secondo" dicevano i seminaristi che lo hanno
conosciuto, ed erano profondamente colpiti dal suo atteggiamento semplice e
paterno. Fu consacrato Vescovo il 24 settembre 1944 nella cattedrale di
Uzhorod. Dal 1944 al 1947 fu Vescovo dell'Eparchia di Mukacheve.
Le spoglie mortali del Beato furono ritrovate nel 1998 in una tomba nella
cripta della cattedrale greco-cattolica di Uzhgorod, e quindi trasportate a
Budapest per accertamenti medici che hanno confermato la loro autenticità e
pure il fatto che l'eroico Presule fu avvelenato.
Dall'Ungheria le reliquie sono state riportate in patria, dopo una sosta in
Slovacchia, e precisamente nella parrocchia di Sobrance in cui, a suo tempo, il
Beato Vescovo svolse il ministero sacerdotale. Il 27 giugno i resti mortali
sono stati solennemente accolti alla frontiera dell'Ucraina da oltre tremila
fedeli, e quindi, accompagnati da alcuni Vescovi e numerosi sacerdoti,
trasportati in processione a Uzhgorod. Il 27 giugno era anche il secondo
anniversario della beatificazione di Teodor Romzha, avvenuta a Lviv nel
2001.
In un primo momento, i fedeli hanno potuto rendere omaggio al loro Vescovo
Martire nel Seminario greco-cattolico di Uzhgorod, dove il 27 giugno serà è
stata celebrata la Divina Liturgia, presieduta dall'Em.mo Card. Roger
Etchegaray, Presidente emerito del Pontificio Consiglio di Giustizia e Pace e
del Pontificio Consiglio "Cor Unum". In seguito, i fedeli hanno potuto
ascoltare la testimonianza della Rev.da Suor Teofila Manaylo O.S.B.M., che
aveva assistito il Vescovo Romzha in ospedale negli ultimi giorni della sua
vita terrena. Per tutta la notte si sono susseguite celebrazioni, programmi
religiosi e preghiere, animati da gruppi giovanili e da vari membri di Istituti
di vita consacrata maschili e femminili.
La solenne Eucaristia pontificale della traslazione delle reliquie è stata
celebrata sabato 28 giugno alle ore 11.00, in un ampio cortile all'interno
dello storico Castello di Uzhgorod, dove nel 1646 fu ristabilita l'unione con
Roma, chiamata l'Unione di Uzhgorod, e dove fino al 1947 c'era il Seminario
eparchiale, in cui il Beato Teodor Romzha fu Padre spirituale e professore. La
Divina Liturgia fu presieduta dall'Em.mo Card. Roger Etchegaray.
Oltre al Nunzio Apostolico, S.E. Mons. Nikola Eterovic, e all'Ecc.mo Mons.
Antal Majnek, Vescovo di Mukacheve dei Latini, vi hanno partecipato tredici
Vescovi greco-cattolici dall'Ucraina, Slovacchia ed Ungheria, circa duecento
sacerdoti di ambedue i riti e quasi diecimila fedeli. La Congregazione per le
Chiese Orientali era rappresentata dal Rev.do Mons. Lucian Lamza, Capo Ufficio
del medesimo Dicastero.
Alla fine della celebrazione eucaristica, l'Em.mo Card. Roger Etchegaray ha
rivolto la parola ai presenti, felicitandosi con la Chiesa greco-cattolica di
Zakarpattia per avere offerto al mondo intero un nuovo beato, testimone del
Signore risorto, modello di fedeltà a Dio, alla Chiesa Cattolica e al Santo
Padre. Il suo esempio interpella tutti i fedeli e tutti dovrebbero cercare di
imitarlo, sforzandosi di mettere in pratica la propria vocazione
cristiana.
Dopo le parole del Card. Roger Etchegaray sono intervenuti il Nunzio Apostolico
e il Rev.do Mykhaylo Masley, l'unico testimone oculare vivente dell'attentato
al Vescovo Teodor Romzha, perpetrato il 1° novembre 1947, il quale ha reso una
commovente testimonianza.
Dopo la Liturgia pontificale, le sacre spoglie del Beato Martire sono state
trasportate processionalmente alla Cattedrale greco-cattolica, dove sono state
collocate in un'urna di vetro sotto l'altare laterale, per permettere ai fedeli
la venerazione del Beato, il quale rappresenta per tutti i greco-cattolici
della Zakarpattia il simbolo dell'eroica perseveranza nella fede durante il
periodo della persecuzione comunista.
Domenica 21 settembre
2003, il Cardinale Prefetto della Congregazione per le Chiese Orientali, Ignace
Moussa I Daoud, (il quale si trovava in visita in Slovacchia, per partecipare
alla solenne traslazione delle reliquie del beato Vescovo martire Vasil' Hopko,
beatificato da Giovanni Paolo II a Bratislava, domenica 14 settembre 2003), ha
potuto recarsi, nel pomeriggio, per alcune ore in Ucraina, nella città di U
horod, sede del Vescovo dell'antica Eparchia di Mukacheve. Accolto da Mons.
Milan Šašik, CM, Amministratore Apostolico, e da Mons. Djura D ud ar, il
Cardinale Daoud ha sostato nella stupenda Cattedrale per una preghiera con i
numerosi fedeli, ai quali ha espresso tutta la sua gioia per l'incontro. Con
loro ha venerato le reliquie del beato Vescovo martire Teodor Romza,
condividendo la soddisfazione per il loro recente ritorno da Budapest, ed
esortando alla stessa fedeltà. Ha invocato la riconciliazione e l'unità
ecumenica; ha rivolto al Signore una speciale preghiera per il Papa ed ha
impartito la Benedizione a nome del Santo Padre in siriaco, la lingua parlata
dal Signore Gesù.
L'assemblea ha ringraziato con molta commozione ed ha rinnovato nel canto
tradizionale l'augurio di vita e di bene per il Santo Padre e per il Cardinale.
Questi si è, poi, recato al vicino Castello dove sono le fondamenta dell'antica
Chiesa nella quale nel 1646, a cinquant'anni, dall'Unione di Brest, venne
decisa l'unione con Roma della comunità rutena. Ha fatto seguito un fraterno
incontro con il Vescovo emerito Mons. Ivan Semedi, e una visita al Seminario
eparchiale, che ospita centodieci alunni.
