This book reveals the personality of Bishop Theodore, his humanity and deep spiritual life in dedication to his Church in the face of trial and persecution. Bishop Theodore became the Apostolic Administrator of the Mukachevo Eparchy, now in present day Ukraine, in 1944 at the age of 33. He served until 1947, when he was murdered by atheistic Soviet authorities for refusing to compromise his Catholic faith and teaching. Through scholarly research and engaging writing, the author captures the young Bishop-Martyr's strong emotional feelings during those trying times and demonstrates his steadfast strength and patience under severe oppression.

Father Puskás brings this contemporary martyr to life by placing the challenges and difficulties Blessed Bishop Theodore faced in the perspective of his own humanity. "Besides being a bishop, Theodore Romzha was also a human being, and he too appreciated life, as did any other healthy man. He was a mature priest and educator, young in age and in perfect health. He still had many projects to accomplish for the Eparchy and for himself, and yet by 1947, at the age of 36 (probably on his birthday, April 14) he had to be ready and disposed for death."

The author, László Puskás, is knowledgeable in the subject matter of the book because of his outstanding background in research of Church history, ecclesiology and art. He completed his theological studies at Budapest Theological Academy and was ordained to the priesthood in Uzhhorod by recently retired Bishop Ivan Semedi of the Eastern Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo. Father Puskás is currently an assistant pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral in Uzhhorod and continues to teach at the Uzhhorod Theological Academy and the Academy of Art in L'viv. He is the promoter of the saintly cause of Bishop-Martyr Theodore Romzha.

The book is well documented from authoritative sources recounting the life of Bishop-Martyr Theodore and the parallel history and suppression of the Greek Catholic Church in Transcarpathia at that time. It should be noted that the term "Greek Catholic Church" is used throughout the book instead of the current day usage of the name "Byzantine Catholic Church."

The book presents a compelling account and the translation from the original is very well done. It is easy reading and flows naturally. I was profoundly moved by the book as it engenders a sense of pride and a renewal of dedication to our Greek Catholic Church through a greater understanding of its sufferings and martyrdom under the Soviet regime.

Father Puskás notes, "He (Bishop Theodore) consciously refused to walk on the way of betrayal, no matter what, and by this same attitude he signed the death sentence for himself. He was aware of this, and hence his life turned into the expectation of the fulfillment of the sentence. His situation now was the situation of a prisoner in a death cell. He couldn't count on any compassion towards him from the enemies of the Church. He didn't know the day, hour or minute when his executioner would reach him, but he knew that they were already on their way to get him."

The book takes the reader step by step from the birth of Blessed Bishop Theodore in 1911 through his martyrdom in 1947 at the age of 36 and the suppression and annihilation of the Greek Catholic Church in Transcarpathia. The volume also notes the efforts for canonization of the Bishop-Martyr, ending with his beatification by the Catholic Church on June 27, 2001.

The book is worthy of reading from an historical as well as spiritual perspective. The Mukachevo Eparchy is the Mother Eparchy of the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church in America. In his re-telling of these trials, the author clearly expresses the strong faith of the people of that day and documents the encouragement given to them by their Shepherd-Bishop and his final act of faith, his martyrdom. [Brother Mark Zavatsky, OSB]

Theodore Romzha, His Life, Times and Martyrdom is available from the publisher or from Holy Trinity Monastery Icon & Book Store, P.O. Box 990, Butler PA 16003, (724) 287-4461.

Brother Mark Zavatsky, OSB, is a Byzantine Benedictine monk in residence at Holy Trinity Monastery in Butler, Pa., where he manages the Icon & Book Store.

Reprinted from Byzantine Catholic World, 27 April 2003, p. 7.

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