24. It is not, therefore, surprising that the
Catholic Ruthenian community has more than once desired, when opportunity
offered, to give public expression to its gratitude for so many benefits and to
its attachment to the Roman pontiffs. A notable instance occurred in 1895, the
third centenary of the happy union of their fathers with the Apostolic See
achieved at Rome and confirmed at Brest. Not only was the happy event recalled
with appropriate celebrations in every part of Galicia, but a most
distinguished delegation of the metropolitan and bishops was sent to Rome to
express the love of the Ruthenian Church for the chief bishop, the successor of
St. Peter, and to offer him their respect, reverence and obedience. Receiving
this delegation with due honors, our predecessor Leo XIII addressed them with
fatherly joy and benevolence, and he extolled the union of the Ruthenians with
the Apostolic See as the salutary source of true light, unshakable peace and
supernatural fruit to all those who sincerely held fast to it.
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