His Beatitude Sviatoslav Prays at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv to Mark the 15th Anniversary of His Enthronement
On March 27, 2026, a spiritual and educational event—the Second Ecumenical Way of the Cross for captives, their families, and a just peace in Ukraine—took place in Kyiv, on the grounds of St. Sophia Cathedral. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, took part in the event.
The event was held exactly 15 years after the day of His Beatitude Sviatoslav’s enthronement. Symbolically, both in 2011 and now, the focus was on the Cross, as the enthronement on March 27, 2011, took place on the Third Sunday of Great Lent, known as the Sunday of the Adoration of the Cross.
In his remarks, the Head of the UGCC noted: “I am grateful to the Lord God for the opportunity to spend this day in joint prayer for the captives, their families, and their loved ones at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv—a nationwide shrine and a symbol of the resilience and invincibility of the Ukrainian people.”
The Way of the Cross brought together clergy from various Christian denominations, as well as representatives of public organizations, volunteers, servicemen, and diplomats, united by a common intention: to pray for Ukrainian prisoners of war, support their families, and seek a just peace in Ukraine.
The Way of the Cross was led by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas. Participants walked a symbolic path of suffering and hope—an act of solidarity with those held captive by Russia and a reminder of the urgent need for international attention to humanitarian issues related to the war.
The event was organized by the International Women’s Movement “For Family Values” in cooperation with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. The organizers emphasized the importance of interfaith unity, spiritual support from society, and an active civic stance in wartime.
The Way of the Cross demonstrated the spiritual unity of Ukrainian society, drew attention to the issue of prisoners of war, and expressed solidarity in the pursuit of a just peace in Ukraine.
The UGCC Department for Information
