Pastoral work in the service of the Kingdom of God –Blessed priest Emilian Kovch (1884-1944)
Pastoral work in the service of the Kingdom of God – Blessed priest Emilian Kovch (1884-1944)

Summary/Abstract: Summarizing the analysis of the life and work of Blessed Fr. Emilian Kovch, it may be argued that his pastoral ministry was a successful attempt to realize the Kingdom of God in practice. He performed this task emphatically on his parishes from the very moment of his ordination, and until his martyrdom in the concentration camp. With charismatic preaching Fr. Emilian, concerned about the morale of his faithful, preached interesting relevant topics from the pulpit. In a word, he inspired people’s hope, consoled them, supported and inspired them to fi ght in diffi cult situations, urging them to be courageous witnesses of Christ’s truth. In addition, Fr. Kovch with much dignity and care served the liturgical offi ce and performed his sacramental ministry, accompanying those men entrusted to him on their journey to meet God. Th is becomes especially evident in relation to the Jews who he protected from Nazis persecution, harboring and baptizing them. Fr. Kovch initiated liturgical reforms, the implementation of which would make services more meaningful and understandable in modern times. Fr. Emilian also devoted a lot of his attention and energy to acts of charity towards the most needy: refugees, orphans, widows, and prisoners. In his ministry he wanted to convey to his „spiritual fl ock” a moral code for Christians in that world. For this to happen he worked on building one true Christian community that would unite the faithful in the love of God and their neighbor. Th at’s why Fr. E. Kovch paid a lot of attention to the problems of education of the youth, seeing that they were the future for the Church and nation.

• Details
• Contents