99th Session of the UGCC Synod of Bishops in Ukraine Convenes
On February 5–6, 2025, the 99th session of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine took place at the Patriarchal House in Lviv under the presidency of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC.
Photo from the archive
The Synod was attended by 26 member bishops of the Synod of Bishops, as well as Bishop Teodor Matsapula, Eparch of the Mukachevo Greek Catholic Eparchy.
Before the Divine Liturgy at the UGCC Synod of Bishops in Ukraine, His Beatitude Sviatoslav presented the relics of the Holy and Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Volodymyr for veneration, and described in detail their history and the authenticity of their relics. All bishops present at the Synod had the opportunity to venerate the relics of the one who stood at the origins of the Church, honoring Prince Volodymyr and praying for the unity of the once-undivided Kyivan Church, as well as for the unity of the Ukrainian people.
The central theme of this Synod session was “Pastoral Care of Families,” elaborated by the UGCC Patriarchal Commission on Family and Laity. Presentations were delivered by Mr. Yuriy Pidlisnyy, Deputy Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Family and Laity of the UGCC, and Fr. Taras Babiy, Rector of the Diocesan Institute for the Pastoral Care of Marriage and Family of Saints Joachim and Anna of the Stryi Eparchy. After reviewing the reports, the Synod Fathers discussed the speakers’ proposals and adopted several resolutions to enhance the pastoral care of families in the UGCC in Ukraine. In particular, they issued an appeal to the President and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, advocating for the creation of a dedicated central executive body to develop and implement pro-family policies in Ukraine.
As part of the study and approval of synodal documents, the Synod of Bishops considered and, in the second reading, adopted an Appeal of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in Ukraine to military chaplains.
The Synod Fathers also reviewed the implementation of activities and initiatives planned for the Holy Year 2025, as presented by Bishop Yaroslav Pryriz, chairman of the event’s Organizing Committee. Additionally, Bishop Yosyf Milan reported on preparations for the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the Kyiv Archeparchy and the 20th anniversary of the transfer of the seat of the Father and Head of the UGCC to Kyiv.
Other key topics of discussion included the protection of minors and vulnerable persons in the UGCC in Ukraine and a report on the work of the UCU Child Dignity Center. Presentations on this matter were given by Fr. Ihor Boyko, the responsible delegate from the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in Ukraine for the protection of minors, and Ms. Ivanka Rudakevych, head of the Church of the Child Dignity Center at the Ukrainian Catholic University.
Bishops from the Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Odesa Exarchates, as well as the Kyiv Archeparchy, provided updates on the pastoral situation in the UGCC in Ukraine.
Rector Taras Dobko presented a report on the mission and activities of the Ukrainian Catholic University, highlighting its involvement in the “Healing the Wounds of War” program, its pastoral care for veterans within the university community, and preparations for the upcoming Churchwide Forum of Theologians of the UGCC, which UCU is entrusted with organizing.
Additionally, the Synod Fathers received a report on the activities of the UGCC Commission on Interfaith and Interreligious Relations, presented by Fr. Ihor Shaban, chairman of the commission.
The 100th session of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine is scheduled to take place in the second quarter of 2025.
The UGCC Department for Information
