Draft:Porfiry Ilchuk

Porfiry Antonomivich Ilchuk
Porfiry Ilchuk

Porfiry Antonomivich Ilchuk (Ильчук Порфирий Автономович), was an early religious leader and a founding member of the Pentecostal movement in Ukraine, particularly in western Ukraine and the Soviet Union. He was born in 1883 in the village of Bykovtsy, Ternopil region.

Early Life and Migration to America

Porfiry, like many of his compatriots at the time, felt the call of opportunity beckoning from across the Atlantic. In April 1913, just before the outbreak of World War I, he embarked on a voyage to the United States, alongside two close friends, driven by the desire to provide for their families and seek a better life abroad. Their path led them to the shores of America.

While living in the US in February 1918, Porfiry met Danylo Romaniuk, who introduced him to Christianity. In May 1918, Porfiry accepted Jesus Christ and began preaching the message of salvation to his friends, eventually becoming a member of a local Pentecostal church. He considered this spiritual transformation the greatest treasure he gained while overseas.

During his seven-year stay in America, Porfiry, accompanied by his friends Yosyp Antonyuk and Trofim Nagornyi, regularly attended weekly services at an Assemblies of God Pentecostal church. This church belonged to the Russian Assemblies of God chapter led by Ivan Voronaev and Ivan Geris.

Education and Return to Ukraine

Despite the allure of the American dream, Porfiry’s heart remained tethered to his homeland, Ukraine, where the call of duty beckoned him back to the land of his birth. With the support of local pastors and the patronage of Wilhelm Fetler, he pursued theological studies at the Russian Biblical Institute of Theology in Philadelphia, PA immersing himself in the study of Christian doctrine and scripture. It was during this time in 1919 that Porfiry first encountered Gustav Schmidt, Ivan Geris, and Ivan Voronaev. Ivan Voronaev would later, lay the groundwork for the formation of the Ukrainian Union of Pentecostal Churches, paving the way for a new era of religious freedom and expression in the region.

On May 1–3, 1924, the first congress of Pentecostals took place in Kremenets, which was attended by Ivan Geris, Porfiry Ilchuk, Yosyp Antonyuk, Trofim Nagornyi, Yosyp Cherskyi, Mykhailo Verbitskyi, Hryhoriy Golubytskyi, Hryhoriy Kraskovskyi, Stepan Yarmolyuk, Hryhoriy Horoshko, and many other preachers. This congress was of great importance; the charter of the church was adopted, the creed was defined, and the rules of church life were established. At the congress, the practical activities of the Union of Pentecostal Churches were discussed, and a work plan was drawn up. The issue of military service was declared a matter of conscience for every believer. At the end of the congress, Yosyp Cherskyi and Porfiry Ilchuk were ordained to the priesthood, becoming the first presbyters and bishops of the Pentecostal brotherhood in Ukraine at that time.

Throughout his ministry in Ukraine, Porfiry faced constant persecution from authorities and was imprisoned multiple times for his beliefs and for spreading the gospel in the Soviet Union.

Personal life

From 1904 to 1908, he was conscripted into the Russian Imperial Army and served in Central Asia, guarding the southern borders of the Russian Empire.

Ilchuk was born in 1883. He was married to Maria Ilchuk. He passed away on April 24, 1956.

References

1. [Біля Витоків Пробудження]

[1]

1. [Зародження та розвиток п’ятидесятницького руху в Україні

Історична довідка] [2]

1. [Пятидесятники Приенисейской Сибири. Специальное издание By: Вероника Гиндер ]

[3]

1. [Биография Порфирия Автономовича Ильчука]

[4]

1. [Владимир Франчук - Просила Россия Дождя у Господа]

[5]

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Categories:

• Ukrainian Christian religious leaders
• 1880s births
• Ukrainian Pentecostals