Maria Aparecida Beruski, also known as Berushko[note 1][1] (c. 1959 – 4 April 1986), was a school teacher who died saving her students in a school fire in Brazil. She may become the first Orthodox saint in Latin America.[2]
Maria Beruski | |
|---|---|
 Icon of St. Maria Beruski by Michel Qapeluk, 2006 | |
| Martyr of Joaquim Távora | |
| Born | c. 1959 Joaquim Távora, Paraná, Brazil |
| Died | 4 April 1986 (aged 26–27) Joaquim Távora |
| Venerated in | Ukrainian Orthodox Church |
| Feast | April 4 |
| Attributes | Orthodox cross and the eight students for whom she died |
Maria, being of Ukrainian descent, was born in 1959, in Joaquim Távora, Paraná, Brazil.
When a school caught fire in 1986, Maria refused a chance to leave the building, instead she stayed inside and assisted her pupils in escaping. Beruski assisted in saving the lives of 5 children, but 8 children died together with the teacher in the fire.
The Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Latin America already placed the issue of Maria's canonisation to the agenda.[3] It is expected the final decision to be made within three years.
A street in the Brazilian town of Curitiba has already been named after Beruski (Rua Maria Aparecida Beruski).
References edit
- ^ Sanidopoulos, John (April 4, 2018). "Maria Berushko of Brazil and Eight Students who Died Trying to Save Children During a Fire in their School (+1986)". Mystagogy Resource Center.
- ^ Religious Information Service of Ukraine Portal News, in Ukrainian
- ^ Orthodoxy in Ukraine Portal, 15.10.2007, Ukrainian language
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