In 1972, he entered the Catholic University and St. Josaphat Seminary in Washington, DC. He completed his studies in 1975 with a Bachelor's degree in Theology and a Master's degree in Medieval Eastern European History. From his youth, he was a member of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM).
On July 10, 1976, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Basil Losten. He served as a pastor of many parishes in the USA, where through years of diligent work, he gained authority among the clergy and parishioners. From 1994 to 1999, he served as the Vice-Rector of the Lviv Holy Spirit Seminary.
Since 2015, Father Roman carried out pastoral ministry in the Odessa Exarchate: at the parish of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mykolaiv and the parish of the Ascension of the Lord in Odessa. He died in the House of Mercy of Saint Veronica of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word in the village of Petrykiv near Ternopil. According to the will of the late Father Roman, his body will be buried in Dobrivlyany.
Schedule of funeral services:
Wednesday, April 24
20:00 — Priestly Parastas in the chapel of the seminary in Rudno near Lviv. Father Roman Mirchuk will lie in the chapel of the seminary in Rudno until 14:00 on April 25, where there will be an opportunity to pray for his soul and bid him farewell.
Thursday, April 25
14:00 — Panakhyda and transportation to the village of Dobrivlyany in Stryi district of Lviv region
17:00 — Priestly Parastas, Funeral, Gospel reading
18:00 — Divine Liturgy
Friday, April 26
12:00 — Interment
Rev. George Worschak
While studying theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and residing at St. Josaphat’s Seminary, Roman tutored several American-born seminarians in the Ukrainian language. I was one of them, and his lessons on diction, grammar, and conversation helped me become fluent in Ukrainian, enabling me to deliver homilies and sermons.
In the summer of 1976, as a theologian, I worked alongside the newly ordained priest in presenting a Youth Program during the Eucharistic Congress on Franklin Street. Father Roman assisted the Very Reverend Myroslav Charyna, Dean of the Philadelphia Presbyterate, who oversaw St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church and School in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. He continued to involve the youth in various parish celebrations throughout the year, such as Christmas, Easter, the Shevchenko Concert, and School Graduation.
From there, Father Roman went on to Whippany, New Jersey, where he was named pastor of St. John’s parish. Father Roman was highly influential in encouraging the Ukrainian community to establish a branch within the hall complex. The construction of a new church, rectory, and hall was largely due to Father Roman's efforts.
Rev. Ivan Turyk
I fondly remember my spiritual father, Father Roman, as a tireless worker in God's vineyard. He was a profound theologian and historian, a brilliant preacher, and a talented administrator who built several churches in America and Ukraine during his lifetime.
He loved people and faithfully served them, not for "showing off" or seeking approval. He didn't maintain profiles on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, yet people sought him out because he led them to God through his example and words.
One can only imagine how challenging it was for him to leave America in the 90s and come to Ukraine to serve as the vice-rector of the Lviv Theological Seminary of the Holy Spirit, the only school for forming future priests at that time. Our meeting there solidified my desire to become a priest as zealous as Father Roman.
The simplicity and wisdom of the vice-rector, his love for prayer and liturgical service, accessibility, kindness, sensitivity, and attentiveness to the needs of seminarians remained etched in my memory and in the memories of hundreds of priests worldwide. Even now, many years later, they prayerfully remember their spiritual mentor and teacher. Yes, he was sometimes uncompromising, a bit stubborn, and very quick with his ideas and plans for the Church's development.
I'm sorry, Father, that we couldn't always keep pace with you and often lagged behind. You never followed the crowd or smoothed edges to please others; you were an ardent enthusiast who dreamed big for the Lord's Church, and often you were miles ahead while we were just beginning to grasp your vision.
Dear friend, you once told me, "I want to die on my land and be buried in Ukraine." The Lord heard and blessed the humility of your heart, and now your soul will pray for Ukraine not only on Earth but also in Heaven.
Rest in peace of the Lord. See you in heaven.
