Ordination and Induction of Rev Dmytro Levytskyi
It was the intention of the Western Presbytery to ordain Mr Dmytro Levytskyi to the ministry of the gospel on 3 March 2015 and induct him to our Mission in Odessa, but this had to be cancelled due to the war situation in Ukraine. However, in the good providence of the Most High, the ordination and induction took place one year later, on Tuesday, 1 March 2016, in Lochcarron Free Presbyterian Church, where the Presbytery ordinarily meets. The gathering was not large – probably in excess of 70 people.
There being no objections made by anyone to Mr Levytskyi’s life and doctrine, the Presbytery proceeded with the ordination service in the presence of the congregation. Rev W A Weale, Moderator of Presbytery, led public worship and preached a most appropriate sermon from 2 Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”.
Thereafter the Moderator gave a brief account of proceedings leading to the induction of Mr Levytskyi, and then addressed to him the questions usually put to probationers at their ordination and induction. After Mr Levytskyi returned satisfactory answers, the Formula was read to him and he signed it in the presence of the congregation.
The Moderator came down from the pulpit, and with solemn prayer to God ordained Mr Levytskyi to the holy ministry, the other ministers joining with him in the imposition of hands. The Moderator, in the name of the Presbytery and by the authority of the Divine Head of the Church, also inducted Mr Levytskyi to missionary work in Odessa, Ukraine. Rev Dmytro Levytskyi was then given the right hand of fellowship by the members of Presbytery.
Rev D A Ross addressed Mr Levytskyi on his office and his future work, from Revelation 1:20: “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches”.
At the Moderator’s invitation, Rev Roderick Macleod, Clerk of the Southern Presbytery, and Rev Neil Ross, Moderator of the Northern Presbytery (both of whom were associated with the Presbytery for the occasion), expressed their prayerful good wishes for Mr Levytskyi, the Mission in Odessa and our small congregation there. There was also a letter from Rev D Macdonald and one from Rev K M Watkins and his congregation, prayerfully expressing their good wishes. However the second letter was not read out due to a regrettable oversight. There were greetings from other parties also.
Mr Levytskyi then went to the main entrance of the church, where the people gave him their good wishes as they left the building. A number of them had travelled more than 200 miles to be present, despite the inclement weather. The Presbytery continued to meet and added the name of Rev Dmytro Levytskyi to the Presbytery Roll.
Most of the people went to the village hall, where abundant food was provided, and where they had a welcome opportunity to meet one another. It was altogether a pleasant evening, which we trust will be followed by the blessing of the Lord.
Our gospel work in Odessa was begun by correspondence 23 years ago, brought on further by a visit to Odessa by one of our ministers and an elder three years later. It has developed through many visits by ministers and elders since then. Now that Mr Levytskyi has been inducted to this missionary work, we trust that, with God’s gracious blessing on his labours, the work will prosper in the salvation of sinners in Odessa and far beyond, and so to the glory of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
(Rev) Donald A Ross, Clerk of Presbytery
Students Received
Two men have recently been received as students studying for the ministry of the Church. Mr John Campbell, of the Glasgow congregation, was received by the Southern Presbytery and Mr John Morrison, Leverburgh, by the Outer Isles Presbytery. We wish them God’s blessing.
General Building Fund
By appointment of Synod, this year’s special collection on behalf of the General Building Fund, is due to be taken in congregations during April.
W Campbell, General Treasurer