Last month, Basilian sisters from Ukraine recently visited the order’s Jesus, Lover of Humanity Province in Jenkintown, writes Gina Christian for The Boston Pilot.

Mother Marcela Runcan, general superior, and Basilian Sister Emanujila Vishka met with other sisters as well as Archbishop Borys Gudziak, metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S.

Their main goal in these hard times for Ukraine is “to be a praying, healing, and life-giving presence in this world,” said Mother Marcela.

The order traces its roots to the fourth century and St. Basil the Great, the father of Eastern Christian monasticism. Together with his sister St. Macrina, he established monastic communities in Asia Minor. The Basilian rule of monastic life then gradually spread into the Slavic countries of central and eastern Europe.

Basilian sisters have lived in the area that is the modern-day nation of Ukraine for at least a millennia.

Today, there are around 400 Basilian sisters on three continents. Out of that number, 150 are in Ukraine.

“They are present there with their life, with their prayer, with their activities, serving the people that need their help,” said Mother Marcela.

Read more about the Basilian sisters in The Boston Pilot.

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Visit with the Sisters of St. Basil.