Apostolic Exarchate of Lemkowszczyzna, Apostolic exarchate in Rymanów-Zdrój, Poland.
The Apostolic Exarchate of Lemkowszczyzna is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction that serves Ukrainian Greek Catholic communities across southern Poland through a network of parishes and religious centers. The Exarchate is structured across several deaneries and operates churches that follow the Byzantine Catholic tradition and calendar.
The Vatican established the Apostolic Exarchate of Lemkowszczyzna in 1934 to meet the spiritual needs of the Lemko population in southeastern Poland. This creation reflected recognition of the distinct religious and cultural situation of this Ukrainian community in the region.
The Exarchate preserves Byzantine traditions and Ukrainian Catholic rituals that form an important part of the Lemko community's identity today. Visitors can observe how these religious practices connect deeply to the local heritage and daily life of the people in this region.
The Exarchate follows the Byzantine Catholic calendar with regular services held in churches across nine western deaneries in southeastern Poland. These liturgical practices differ from Latin traditions, allowing visitors to experience authentic Byzantine Catholic ceremonies.
The Exarchate's administrative center did not remain in one location but relocated multiple times, moving from Rymanów to Sanok, then to Krynica, and finally to Wróblik Szlachecki. These shifts reflect how the institution adapted to changing circumstances and the evolving needs of the communities it served.
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