Bishops of the UGCC Permanent Synod Meet with Archbishop of Toronto
On February 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the bishops of the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, met with Archbishop Francis Cardinal Leo of Toronto. The Archbishop assured the UGCC representatives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto’s unwavering prayer and support for the Ukrainian people.
Following the meeting, a joint dinner provided an opportunity for fraternal fellowship, encouragement, and prayer.
Welcoming the guests, Archbishop Francis Cardinal Leo expressed his deep solidarity with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and its faithful, who continue to suffer due to the war. He reaffirmed that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto prays for peace in Ukraine and supports the efforts of His Beatitude Sviatoslav and all UGCC clergy.
“Your Beatitude,” the Archbishop of Toronto addressed the head of the UGCC, “you have demonstrated extraordinary strength, wisdom, and leadership over the years. The entire international community has been heeding your words and ministry, supporting you in prayer.”
“Today marks the painful third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops. Just yesterday, from his hospital bed, Pope Francis sought to draw the world’s attention to this war and the people of Ukraine, whom he specifically remembered, describing the large-scale conflict as a painful and shameful event for all humanity,” Cardinal Leo said.
As a token of spiritual unity and support, Archbishop Francis presented the Ukrainian bishops with an icon of St. Michael the Archangel, emphasizing that this heavenly patron of Kyiv is also a symbol of the struggle for justice and peace.
For his part, the Father and Head of the UGCC expressed gratitude to the Canadian people for their open-hearted welcome to Ukrainians forced to flee their homeland due to the war. He also shared personal memories of the early days of the full-scale invasion, when he saw Kyiv under enemy fire.
“I asked God: Why did You let me witness this? Why am I alive when so many others are not? But perhaps our mission today is to bear witness to the world—not only to Ukraine’s tragedy but also to the victory of good over evil, of the Archangel Michael over all the forces of Hades,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav said.
The Patriarch also emphasized the importance of prayer as a means of healing wounds and providing spiritual support: “Prayer is not a magic formula. It is a space of resilience, renewal, and hope,” he said. “We pray that our Lord will continue to bless Canada, your ministry, and the Church on this blessed Canadian land.”
The meeting concluded with a prayer for peace in Ukraine and for the health of Pope Francis. The bishops of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC expressed their gratitude to the Archbishop of Toronto and the entire Canadian community for their commitment and solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
The UGCC Department for Information
