The Head of the UGCC in Week 222 of the War: Despite Difficult Circumstances, Our Priests Are Happy to Serve God and the Ukrainian People
“Today, I wish to speak on behalf of our Synod and thank our priests, their families, and the monastic community for their selfless service and dedication. Thank you for sharing in all the hardships our people are enduring.” This was stated by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, in his weekly video address during the 222nd week of the full-scale war that the Russian aggressor continues to wage against our peaceful land.
The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church noted that this week had been one of the most tragic since the start of the war: “The more we speak of peace and an end to the war, the more brutal the enemy’s attacks become.” According to him, on the night of May 14, Russia carried out one of the largest aerial attacks since the beginning of the war, launching more than 1,500 drones and nearly 60 missiles that struck all regions of Ukraine, with Kyiv suffering the greatest damage after a missile hit a residential building.
“As of today, 24 people are confirmed dead, including three children. Overall, about 95% of all strikes during this massive bombardment targeted residential buildings and civilian infrastructure,” the Head of the Church said sorrowfully. He added that this tragedy coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, when “the red Russian ‘dragon’ once again raged,” claiming nearly 40 lives across Ukraine in a single day.
At the same time, His Beatitude Sviatoslav shared the good news of the release from captivity of more than 200 Ukrainian defenders, including the defenders of Mariupol, who had been held captive for nearly four years: “We rejoice together with the families who have once again embraced their sons, husbands, and fathers. We want to stand beside our heroes.”
The Head of the UGCC paid special attention to the results of the latest session of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in Ukraine, which took place in Truskavets and was dedicated to the social welfare of the clergy. His Beatitude Sviatoslav presented the striking results of an independent professional study on the financial situation of priests.
“Most clergy live below the average standard of living. Thirty-eight percent of our priests do not have enough money for clothes and shoes. This means that more than a third live below the poverty line,” the Patriarch stated. However, despite these often unbearable circumstances, 92 % of the priests surveyed said they are happy in their ministry.
The Head of the Church thanked the parishioners who support their priests by “sharing their last piece of bread” and emphasized: “We are proud of such clergy and thank the Lord God for good shepherds who, during the war, are ready to lay down their lives for their flock.”
In conclusion, the Primate spoke about the pilgrimage to Jarosław marking the 30th anniversary of the coronation with papal crowns of the ancient icon of the Mother of God “Door of Mercy,” which, at the request of Pope Francis, opened the Jubilee Year of Divine Mercy in the Vatican.
Read also:
Address by the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for the 222nd Week of the Full-Scale War, May 17, 2026
“In this month of May, especially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, we have prayed for our suffering mother, Ukraine, and for our people, and we have implored the Heavenly Mother for the gift of peace. So today we pray: Lord Jesus Christ, hear the prayers of Your Mother. Stop the war in Ukraine and bless our long-suffering land and our suffering people with Your just heavenly peace,” concluded His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The UGCC Department for Information
