Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Sheptytsky: “The Power to Transform Ukraine Is in Our Hands, in Our Christian Upbringing”
In Sacred Scripture, when the Lord God calls a person to ascend a mountain, it means that He wants to draw near to them, to speak with them, and to accomplish something together. When we ascend a mountain, we see the world—including ourselves, our city, village, and home—from a different perspective. We look at everything as if through God’s eyes. And this is what the Lord is calling all of us to do today.
This was emphasized by the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, during the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of St. Josaphat in Sheptytsky on the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was joined by bishops of the UGCC and numerous priests. The Head of the UGCC was solemnly welcomed by children and parishioners, who recited poems and presented him with a decorative plate made of Sokalska ceramics.
Explaining the meaning of the Feast of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, His Beatitude Sviatoslav said:
“The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor shows us that Christ’s glory will be revealed in its fullness through His humiliation and shame on the cross. His strength and power—the power of God who became man—will be revealed through human weakness. And His victory over sin and death—the final triumph of good over evil—will take place at the moment of His death and resurrection.”
“Today, Christ, being transfigured on the mountain, reveals His inner nature—who He truly is. In His human, fragile body, He shows the greatness and power of God’s glory. He shows that divine glory, power, and authority are revealed precisely when we, as believers, face humiliation, weakness, and even death. Then the light from Tabor begins to shine within us—it becomes the radiance of Christian hope. All these external things—our physicality, our suffering—are temporary, but the power of God that dwells within us, which we receive in the Sacraments of Christ’s Church, is final, unshakable, and eternal,” he added.
His Beatitude then noted that today, Christ invites us to discover the light of Tabor shining in the life of our Church. That same light continues to shine in the Body of Christ. And this is the mystery of Christian life: that it is precisely in times of persecution that we become strong. When human hope is taken away, we receive divine hope.
Addressing the faithful, the Primate highlighted the symbolic significance of the city of Sheptytsky in celebrating the 160th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky. It was here that he took his perpetual vows, renouncing his noble title and, returning from the Roman Catholic rite, once again became a son of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
“Today we are called to listen to everything he says to us, Ukrainians, at this dark and difficult moment in our history. During World War II, he wrote immortal words to his people, saying that ‘the key to Ukraine’s change lies within itself. We cannot change our external circumstances, but it is within our power to change ourselves.’ As if echoing the voice of the Heavenly Father who pointed to Jesus on Mount Tabor, he shows every modern Ukrainian where to find strength, glory, and victory. It is within our power to change ourselves—through the power and action of the Holy Spirit,” explained the Patriarch.
He then read an excerpt from Metropolitan Andrey’s book How to Build a Native House, emphasizing:
“Today, the power to transform Ukraine is in our hands—in our Christian upbringing, in our ability to distinguish between good and evil.”
The preacher then expressed gratitude to the young men and women on the front lines, saying:
“They are the teachers of true love for Ukraine. Today, we wish to especially envelop with our love all those who bear the wounds of this war on their bodies and in their hearts.”
“We pray for our own transformation in Christ through the power and action of the Holy Spirit. As we celebrate this feast, we ask that we may become at least a little better, a little brighter, and see more clearly where to find the strength of an entire nation to defeat this wicked and powerful enemy. But we must believe in this victory—then its power and glory will be revealed, even through our pains, sufferings, and infirmities,” emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
“Lord, grant that our Church—we, as Your people—may bear fruit in good deeds and Christian virtues, revealing the glory of Your Tabor light in our country today.
Righteous Metropolitan Andrey, who stands before our altar today, pray to God for us sinners.”
At the end of the Liturgy, the Head of the UGCC presented the rector of St. Josaphat’s Parish, Fr. Mykhailo Nyskohuz, with a letter of commendation for his “fruitful, long-standing priestly service and efforts in the legalization of our Church.”
“Your parish serves as a model for others in catechetical ministry and youth apostolate, especially during this brutal war.
Thanks to your personal example as a faithful son of the Holy Church and of Ukraine, you have earned the respect of your brother priests and laypeople throughout the Sokal-Zhovkva Eparchy. For all this, we offer our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation,” the letter reads.
On behalf of the clergy and parishioners of the eparchy, Bishop Petro Loza of Sokal-Zhovkva thanked His Beatitude Sviatoslav for his visit and presented him with a miraculous icon as a gift.
The service concluded with the traditional festive sprinkling of the first fruits on the Feast of the Transfiguration.
The UGCC Department for InformationPhoto by Dmytro Demyaniv
