What does codification mean for us Rusyns?
from Narodny novynky, 1995
translated from the original Rusyn by John Timo (C-RS, Bentleyville, PA)
The day of the codification of the Rusyn language is a day created by the Lord. Today the spirit of every Rusyn in the world rejoices. Today all Rusyns realize that only their loyalty to their Byzantine Tradition (given to them by the evangelizers of the Slavs, Cyril and Methodius), has helped them to preserve their language, the codification of which is being commemorated today by Rusyns in Slovakia and worldwide, and by people of good will, who sympathize with and who give their support for the complete recognition of Rusyns as an independent people.
Rusyns can now fearlessly proceed forward, disseminating their language, traditions, culture, and the legacy of their evangelizers and activists, in peace and in harmony with people of good will.
Ing. Ivan Bicko, Bratislava, Slovakia
I am extremely pleased that the Rusyns in Slovakia now have a codified language. Our situation is a bit more difficult, for these reasons:
1. we are widely scattered;
2. the languages, in various regions in Lemkovyna differ from each other
more than with you.
I must state, that as much as possible is being done in Poland to codify the Rusyn language, for that is fundamental if we are to continue living as Rusyns, as Lemkos. We now have our own grammar book and primer (bukvar'). In Poland that is significant because we do not have the opportunities as do Rusyns in Slovakia. I believe that in the near future the Lemkos will have their day as you have now. I wish you a firm course of action towards achieving the use of this language in everyday life.
Andrij Kopcha, Stovaryšynja Lemkiv, Poland
Dear brothers and sisters. The Scriptures state that early in the morning on the day of Resurrection, early in the morning, the women came to the grave and discovered the truth of the Resurrection. Today is a day of resurrection for the Rusyn people, a day of national revival. The Eastern Church, both Greek Catholic and Orthodox, begins to celebrate the Paschal days with the words: "This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." - [in Rusyn: "V sej den', jehozhe sotvoryv Hospod', vozradujem sja i vozveselym sja von'."] Here is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad with it. And we all rejoice. Sincere thanks to you, our Rusyn academics, linguists, professors, teachers, for your efforts in establishing this foundation upon which we want to continue to build.
Holy Scripture states that the women came to the tomb early in the morning, when it was still dark. We all know, that this day for us, Rusyns, represents the dawn, it is still early morning. But with the help of God we will instill this work into the hearts of our children, into the hearts of our youth, and into the hearts of our intellectuals. That can happen only with God's help. Let us proceed with understanding, peacefully, in gentleness. God is with us - Z namy Boh.
Fr. František Krajnjak, Medzhilabirci, Slovakia
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Last modified on September 27 1997
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