The Greek Catholic Cathedral of St George enjoys one of the most glorious locations in all Europe. Perfectly perched above the Lion City, St George's is a rococo triumph of tremendous proportions. A house of worship has existed on this site since around 1280. However, the current edifice was founded in 1746, not long before Austria swiped these lands from the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania. St. George's Cathedral became an increasingly powerful symbol of national aspiration to Ukrainian speakers (in those days known as Ruthenians) throughout the region. The house of worship is inextricably linked with the Szeptycki family (Sheptytsky), who supplied several archbishops of note from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Opposite the Cathedral stands the fine residence of the Archbishop. Pope John Paul II stayed here in 1991.
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