Greek Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, Perechyn

Not far from the center of Perechyn, the Turya, the river that crowns the Turyanska valley, flows into the Uzh river. According to one version, it is possible that the intersection of these two waterways was the basis for the origin of the city's name. The first written mention of Perechyn dates back to the thirteenth century. Perechyn received the status of a city in 2004.

TheGreek Catholic Church of St. Nicholas is located in the center of Perechyn. The church was founded in the XVIII century. In 1751, the wooden Greek Catholic Church of St. Nicholas in Perechyn was mentioned. A distinctive feature of the church is its two slender towers. In Soviet times, St. Nicholas Church was closed, but in 2002, after reconstruction, the church was reopened to the faithful. Today it is a functioning church. The relics of St. Nicholas of Myra are kept here.

A stone basilica church was built in 1763 on a steep hill called Hurka, near the center of Perechyn. Nearby is a one-tiered bell tower with ancient bells. From 1867 to 1902, the Greek Catholic parish of St. Nicholas was served by priest Gabriel Chopey. During his ministry, the interior of the church was decorated, and a mansion and three bells were purchased for the church.

The establishment of Soviet rule in Zakarpattia brought a new political reality. By 1949, only one Mukachevo Greek Catholic diocese remained in operation in the USSR, and the repressive authorities of the time made every effort to liquidate the diocese. In 1949, Father Desiderii Natola served the last service in the Greek Catholic Church of Perechyn. The Soviet authorities of the time took the church away from the Greek Catholics and subordinated it to the Moscow Patriarchate.

In the early 90s, after the legalization of the Greek Catholic Church in Zakarpattia, it was necessary to re-establish the community and regain their church. On July 31, 1991, the renewed Greek Catholic community in Perechyn was officially registered. On January 7, 1993, on the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Father Mykola Paykosh celebrated the first Mass near the Church of St. Nicholas. At that time, the faithful had no place to worship, as the Orthodox community did not agree to return the church and hold services in turn. For several years, the Greek Catholic faithful in Perechyn prayed in the open air in the rain and snow, in heat and cold. Being in desperation, they turned to the Roman Catholic community for support, and held services both in the physical office of the boarding school and in the House of Mercy. A conflict situation was brewing, and the community sought a solution: the authorities were asked to return the confiscated headlight and to allocate a plot of land for the construction of a new Greek Catholic church.

On November 07, 1997, the community received the abandoned, empty headlamp, which was repaired by the faithful. Since October 27, 1998, the Greek Catholic community has been able to worship in the adapted premises. From the first day, Father Yurii Lushchak (the current auxiliary bishop of the Mukachevo Greek Catholic diocese, Bishop Neil) conducted services here.

On August 28, 1997, the Perechyn Village Council of People's Deputies allocated a plot of land for the construction of the church.

On May 17, 1998, Bishop John Semedii consecrated the cornerstone for the construction of a new 550 m2 church designed by architect Stepan Fekete, as well as a cross near the future church. With a sincere desire to speed up the construction process, the community members mostly worked on the construction of the church themselves and made donations. For five years, Father Yurii Lushchak has been overseeing the construction of the church, not only organizing the work but also taking an active part in the construction work. The construction was led by Mykhailo Molnar. The painting in the altar area was done by artist Taras Danylych. The icon "St. Nicholas the Wonderworker" on the glass was made by artist V. Shchur. The throne and tetrapod were made by Pavlo and Petro Khodanychi in 2003, and the altar in 2004. The iconostasis was created by Y. Volosyansky, and the icons were painted by his daughter Hanna Boyko.

The newly built church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was consecrated by Bishop Milan on May 25, 2003. In 2011, the church was decorated with images of the way of the cross. On the facade is a mosaic of two saints of the church: St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Blessed Martyr Theodore Romzha was made in 2014.

Since 2003, the church has been reconstructed, and a two-tiered building has been constructed, which houses a catechetical center and housing for priests.

Since September 2009, the parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker has been under the care of Father Myroslav Ryabinchak. The youth choir "Society of the Holy Eucharist" and the children's choir "Flowers for the Lord" are the centerpieces of the church services. The parish provides catechesis for children and youth, and works with young married couples. Monthly Fatima Saturdays, prayer vigils with the holy relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and pilgrimages to our shrines are organized. The parish has communities: "Mothers in Prayer" and "Community of the Living Ruzhanets". Since March 2015, a Neocatechumenal community has been operating.