His Beatitude Sviatoslav Appoints New Rector of Kyiv Theological Seminary
His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, has appointed Father Roman Ostrovsky as the new rector of the Kyiv Three Saints Seminary.
According to a decree read at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy at the Kyiv Three Saints Seminary on June 9, Holy Monday, Fr. Roman Ostrovsky will serve a three-year term as rector. The decree takes effect on June 13, 2025.
The seminarians welcomed their new rector with enthusiastic applause. “If the seminarians applaud,” commented His Beatitude Sviatoslav, “it means, Your Excellencies, that we’ve made the right decision.”
Addressing Fr. Roman, the Head of the UGCC said:
“Father, you face a challenging task. Your predecessors have accomplished much, but this need to be developed further. Our dream is for this seminary to become a powerful intellectual institution—one that has something to say not only to Kyiv and Ukraine but to the world. You must complete the seminary’s infrastructure, particularly the library. Folk wisdom says that truly rich people have large libraries, while the poor have large televisions. Our seminary already has a large library—it now needs proper facilities and everything necessary for our seminarians to become good priests.”
His Beatitude added that he would pray for divine protection for the new rector and for the grace of the Holy Spirit to help him be a good spiritual father to the seminarians.
Gratitude to the outgoing rector
Marking the 15th anniversary of the seminary’s re-establishment, His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed special gratitude to Fr. Petro Zhuk, who led the institution for 15 years.
In a patriarchal letter, he recalled the circumstances of Fr. Petro’s appointment:
“Exactly 15 years ago, our revered predecessor, the Servant of God Lubomyr, foresaw the need to provide the Kyiv-Halych Metropolia with clergy and re-established a seminary in the village of Kniazhychi near Kyiv. You, then a young priest recently returned from studies in Rome and serving in Vyshhorod, were called to lead it. You and your team were entrusted with setting up the seminary, organizing entrance exams, hiring faculty, and launching the educational and formational process. It was a monumental task. But thanks to your deep commitment and with the support of Blessed Lubomyr, the seminary, under the patronage of the Three Holy Hierarchs, resumed its ministry.”
His Beatitude emphasized that Fr. Petro not only fulfilled his administrative duties but also “shared his knowledge with future priests, inspired them by his example as a gifted preacher, and became a model pastor—one who loves Christ, His Church, and his homeland.”
The letter notes that under Fr. Petro’s leadership, the seminary overcame challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war with Russia. Today, the seminary boasts “strong vocations, a distinguished faculty, a rich library, and dozens of graduates who serve the faithful in the Kyiv-Halych Metropolia and around the world.”
Fr. Petro was also praised for his work in other Church roles, notably as head of the Catechetical Commission of the Kyiv Archeparchy.
“For all this, we offer you our heartfelt thanks and express our deepest appreciation and admiration,” concluded the letter from His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
Reference
The Kyiv Three Saints Seminary was re-established in 2010 in Kniazhychi near Kyiv by the blessing of the Servant of God Lubomyr Husar. The seminary prepares future clergy for service in the Kyiv-Halych Metropolia and Ukrainian communities around the world.
The UGCC Department for Information
