The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Week 228 of the War: The Voice of St. John Paul II Continues to Call Us to Heal Our Historical Wounds
The figure and teachings of Saint John Paul II have significantly shaped the culture of Christian Ukraine over the past 25 years. This was stated by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in his traditional video address during the 228th week of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, which has now been raging for more than 12 years.
The Primate expressed his profound gratitude to the Ukrainian defenders who continue to courageously defend our homeland.
According to him, the enemy is steadily losing the tactical initiative, and Ukrainian soldiers are not only holding back the offensive but also successfully reclaiming occupied territory. At the same time, heartbreaking news continues to come from Kherson, Nikopol, and other cities, where Russian drones are deliberately targeting civilian vehicles.
Despite the darkness of war, this week also brought several heartening spiritual events.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav highlighted the celebration of the centenary of the enthronement of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God in Mukachevo as one such event. This holy relic, a gift from Pope Pius XI in 1926, was transferred to the Basilian monastery in Mukachevo at the request of the faithful of Transcarpathia: “The icon, which originates from Constantinople and is believed to have witnessed its fall, has become a precious spiritual heritage of our people. The celebration of this anniversary became a source of life not only for Transcarpathia but for all of Ukraine.”
Another joyful event this week was the return of 160 Ukrainian defenders from Russian captivity: “Today, their families were finally able to embrace their husbands, fathers, and sons. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to securing their return.”
This past week, the Catholic Church in Ukraine, both Latin and Byzantine, also marked the 25th anniversary of Saint Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine.
The commemorations began last Sunday in Kyiv at St. Alexander’s Church and concluded in Lviv’s Sykhiv district with the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite celebrated at the very place where, twenty-five years ago, Pope John Paul II met with Ukrainian youth.
“Everything that today constitutes the European character of our ecclesial and social life was given to us at that time by Saint John Paul II. That is why we call him the Pope of Ukrainian sovereignty—the Pope who placed the dignity of the human person at the center of public attention.
“All Ukrainians, regardless of denomination or religious affiliation, regard John Paul II as a great humanist at the turn of the millennium,” said the spiritual leader of the Ukrainians.
Read also:
Address by the Head of the UGCC for the 228th Week of the Full-Scale War, June 28, 2026
The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church emphasized: “His voice continues to call us today and, above all, to heal our historical wounds. Especially now, when Ukrainian-Polish relations are once again going through a difficult period, the figure of John Paul II—who gave us not only spirit and wisdom but also the formula for Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation, ‘We forgive and ask for forgiveness’—resonates more powerfully than ever.”
The UGCC Department for Information
