As the editors Dr. Ivan Dacko and Dr.Maria Horiacha admit that serious work started in June 2012 and lasted for two years. Dr.Maria Horiacha didn’t personally know Patriarch Josyf Slipyj but she started editing the book. During the presentation she said that the deepest sense of responsibility made him a conductor and leader. “Josyf Slipyj didn’t give up. It was a man of prayer. Prayer helped to survive, when he had no strength left”- said Dr.Maria Horiacha. According to her, there are many omissions in “Memoires”, they should be read between the lines, especially during the concentration camp period, because there is much information that he kept silent about.”Work on the book was difficult, because the manuscript was not written but dictated to the secretary Ivan Khoma” - she added.
The book was published thanks to the editor-in-chief Fr. Dr. Ivan Dacko, who was 8 years private secretary to the Patriarch. “I felt a responsibility to people to publish these “Memoirs”, and decided that I would do my best to do this – said Fr. Dr. Ivan Dacko. - It is an encyclopaedia of history of the UGCC during the life of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, and is a valuable historical and scientific book for the Ukrainian public”. The book is not only the memories of the Patriarch, but comments of the compiler Dr. Maria Horiacha, documents about the negotiations of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj with the Soviet authorities, memories of Norman Kazensa, a journalist who participated in the liberation of Josyf Slipyj.
His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal (Huzar) expressed his admiration of the publication of the book with the letter, because he wasn’t able to attend the event personally. In his letter, he noted the incredible diligence of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj and his activity after years of imprisonment and exile. “Waste of time in the eyes of the Patriarch Josyf Slipyj was one of the greatest sins” - said Lubomyr Huzar.
In turn, the rector of UCU Fr. Bohdan Prah believes that this book is a roadmap for each parishioner of our Church. “When we flip through these pages, we'll see who was Patriarch Josyf Slipyj: not what he wrote, not what he said, but who he was, who he met. There are hundreds of biographies of people he met, who he built the future with”- he said.
“Hardly ever such piece of work could be met. You will recognize your epoch in it. We are currently looking for support. His figure gives inspiration, as he went through concentration camp, exile, prison and survived. He testified that the truth will prevail” - said about the book Reverend Bishop Boris (Gudziak), President of Ukrainian Catholic University.
During the presentation opening speech delivered the Head of Lviv Regional Council Petro Kolodiy and reviewers of the book “Memoirs” Professor of University of Gdańsk Ihor Halaida, scientist and historian Ihor Skochylias and historian Liana Hentosh.
According to Fr. Dr. Ivan Dacko, a book is planned to be published in one more edition and translated into other foreign languages.