Easter on Sakhalin

I spend 6 days helping and observing pastoral events on Sakhalin Island the days which I cannot forget and I hope interesting for the readers. Sakhalin is on the north from Japan and was a theatre of Japan-Russian battles during II World War. Russia ocupated territory and deportated 400. 000 japanese citizens. In the darkness of communist dictate also here and in all the Soviet Union many of Christians testified their faith throw martyrs: orthodox, protestants and catholics.

Sakhalin has 66.000 square km and has 1000 km distance (south - north), and has actually 600.000 habitants. Catholic church is present here around 10 years with 2 parishes in tha capital of region, and 5 outstations in radius of 600 km, which has regular meetings organised by fr. Jaroslaw Wisniewski, actual minister. Christian communities suffer very much after loosing oun pastor rev. Benedict Zweber which resently died.

My adventure started with long travel in aircraft from Moscow to Yuzno-Sakhalinsk, I met orthodox Bishop Arkady and has kind talk with him about religious situation in Sakhalin. In Airport I observed immediately what about TV was informing before: extraordinary winter which attacked Sakhalin in Christmas and stayed until 8 March all the tim e with big snow in some points 3 m height: 5 days of electric problems, lack of heating, the cars blockaded in snow which was a reason of many deaths. These days Fr. Jaroslaw emprisonned in parish house made frescos of Via Crucis in parish chappel.

My first meeting with local Christian Community took place on the celebration of LAST SUPPER. Parishionners came from far away to participate the liturgy: for example, one handicaped man came from 300 km by train. Liturgy was well prepared by the liturgical group. During celebration for 12 people priests washed legs. Except them came many others. During Easter Liturgy in which participated 100 persons there was Baptism of 4 adults. Afterwards all the community particicpated solemn Agape. In the Easter day we celebrated Holly Mass in commmunity of Ukrainian-Catholics which was singing in native language, during this celebration I baptised 5th adult. In the evening we payed another Holly Mass in english in the settlement for foreigners which work in petrol industry on Sakhalin, because petrol is one of main hope of economic progress in the area. Monday 16th, we baptise in Policlinic 12 years old girl which suffered incefalyte unexpectedly, and we was hoping to baptise her in Easter Eve. Talking with father Jaroslaw and many parishionners I was able to study the structures of local christian community: 5 persons is working as catecists in 3 different points full activity, they are participants of catechist courses which were organised by the Bishop of East Siberia Mons. Jerzy Mazur. Except catechisation after collapse of communistic totalitarism in Russia very important is activity of Caritas, which just before Easter was getting a rank of Regional Office by Caritas East Siberia rev. Alexander Pietrzyk.

During 3 days of my trip I realised with happiness the big activity of local Caritas. Fr. Jaroslaw and I we visited many different groups of persons which need care and love and whom we gave introduction in Easter and in Christianity (many of them not baptised) and giving for them easter eggs, nicely designed by parish volounteers (more than 3000 eggs!), and miraculous icon of Immaculate. The main places we visited: Orphanage for handicaped children, House for Old people, School for Criminals Teenagers, sended there by the court (around 64 children), Youth Prison, big center of psycological rehabilitation (in different corps of this center we visited 600 pacients).

The days were very intensive for me as time of meetings and experience. I wish congratulate local priest and his collaborators. By eyes of faith I observe in many cases examples of strongheness which the fruit built on the blood of martyrs grow and I realise that accourding Tertulian: "the blood of martyrs is the grain of new Christians". I am happy of good relationship with Orthodox what about told me local Bishop during our travel in aircraft and restauration of Catholic Church. Which may describe in two very significant facts: in november last year Pope renevated Apostolical Prefectura of Karafuto (jap. Sakhalin), now under care of Bishop Mazur (before it was a part of Diocesy Saporro in Japan) and the 2nd: construction of new church for the second parish in the city under the name of Assumption of Hollly Marry with the permission of local authority which was given in Easter Monday and determination with which was proclaimed the date of church dedication 19th August according the wish of Rev. Fr. Benedict Zweber (recently died) and Bishop Mazur. We give thanks to Gods Providence and Holly Mary Mother of Church, for my personal experience and invide all the readers to pray about renovation of Christian life of all the Orthodox, Protestants and Catholics in the biggest Island Sakhalin and in all the Russia.