At the UGCC Synod, Married Couple from Ukraine Share How Families Are Rebuilding During Wartime
On July 1, during the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Rome, Roman and Natalia Prokopiv—leaders of the Christian Family Movement and longtime family ministry workers—gave a joint presentation titled “Experience of Working with Families in Times of War.” Drawing on over 20 years of service, their talk was a powerful reflection on the pain, faith, and resilience shaping Ukrainian family life today.
“What is a Ukrainian family in wartime?” the couple asked. “It’s a family shaken by explosions and destruction… a family raising children in constant stress… a family that prays without ceasing, that unites, serves, and volunteers to bring victory closer.”
They spoke about a mission they received at the 2019 Synod in Zarvanytsia: to expand their experience by teaching other families. This led to the creation of the program “From Family to Family. Grow. Witness. Serve,” designed to support regular family gatherings in parishes. “To start such a group, all you need is one active couple and a willing priest,” they emphasized.
The program includes both theoretical (theological, psychological, and motivational) and practical components, with materials for meetings, retreats, family camps, celebrations, and training. Since its launch in 2020, it has reached over 100 families, including lay couples and clergy families from Ukraine and abroad. Catechists, students from the Ukrainian Catholic University, and couples preparing for family ministry have also taken part.
The Prokopivs highlighted the importance of small family communities as essential support networks during the war. Survey results showed these groups provide strength, encouragement, and examples of how to face challenges together.
They also remembered with sorrow the death of Oleh Vorobyov, a key organizer of the program who died in May 2022. Before the full-scale war, he had worked to promote parish family gatherings. Despite his passing, the program restarted in 2023. “We knew we had to continue the work Oleh believed in,” they said.
The changes they’ve seen in families were especially moving: one couple decided to marry after attending the meetings; another reversed their decision to divorce. “We believe there are many more stories like these,” the Prokopivs said. “Spending time with other families gives people inspiration, support, and strength to build stronger marriages.”
Among their recommendations to the Synod was the need for greater informational and institutional support for family initiatives—at the parish, eparchial, and patriarchal levels. “With just a bit more support from the Church and the bishops, we could see even greater results,” they said.
In closing, the couple referenced a powerful image from the Book of Nehemiah—one that’s become symbolic of rebuilding:
“Today, many of our cities are scorched. Families are wounded, scattered, broken. But we believe that the ‘From Family to Family’ program can help rebuild can support the rebuilding of society through families.”
They ended by stressing that the most important mission of every family is “to bear witness to Christ—because only He is the true builder, healer, and comforter.”
The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is being held at the Ukrainian Papal College of St. Josaphat in Rome from June 30 to July 10. The main theme is “Pastoral Care for Families in Wartime.” This year’s Synod opened on June 29 with a Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. A day earlier, on June 28, the bishops of the UGCC took part in a jubilee pilgrimage to the tomb of the Apostle Peter.
The UGCC Department for Information
