St. Volodymyr's was built between 1982 and 1986 on a land grant
from the government. It was originally put in place because it was
seen as appropriate that there should be a Ukrainian Catholic
church and centre in Australia's Capital.
It is named after the founder christianity in the Ukraine -
Saint Volodymyr the Baptiser and was consecrated to celebrate the
millenium since his baptism in 988 A.D.
According to the legend, Volodymyr sent envoys to all religions
to choose the best. Judaism was rejected because the Jews had lost
Jerusalem and so were punished by their God, western christianity
rejected because the emissaries "saw no beauty" and the muslims:
"there is no gladness among them; only sorrow and a great stench.
They also said that "the Bulgars' [muslim's] religion was
undesirable due to its taboo against alcoholic beverages and pork"
Since "drinking was the joy of the rus" the muslims were also
rejected.
Finally the emissaries were impressed with the beauty of the
rites of the eastern church that they experienced in Constantinople
and this was the religion that Vlodymyr imported.
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