The Oldest Is 77, the Youngest 44: Working Sessions of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Begin in Zarvanytsia
On July 1, the working sessions of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church began at the Marian Spiritual Center “Zarvanytsia.” They will continue until July 10.
The first session began at 9:00 a.m. with a prayer offered by the bishops for Ukraine’s fallen defenders and the innocent victims of the war. This was followed by the official opening of the working sessions, including a welcome to those present, the introduction of guests and Synod officials, confirmation of a quorum for subsequent votes, and the adoption of the schedule and agenda for the Synod’s working sessions.
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Forty-nine bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church from Ukraine, Central and Western Europe, North and South America, and Australia are participating in the 2026 Synod of Bishops of the UGCC. They include 34 ruling bishops, 1 bishop of the Patriarchal Curia, 9 auxiliary bishops, and 5 emeritus bishops.
The oldest participant in the Synod’s working sessions is 77-year-old Bishop Mykhailo Koltun, retired bishop of the Sokal-Zhovkva Eparchy. The youngest is 44-year-old Auxiliary Bishop Mykola Semenyshyn of the Ivano-Frankivsk Archeparchy.
Over the past year, the following changes have taken place in the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC:
On August 13, 2025, in Winnipeg, Canada, Bishop Peter Stasiuk, retired bishop for Ukrainians in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, passed into eternity. He was buried on October 1 at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Melbourne.
On September 13, 2025, Bishop Mariusz Dmyterko was consecrated as Auxiliary Bishop of the Wroclaw-Koszalin Eparchy.
On December 18, 2025, Bishop Hlib Lonchyna retired as Apostolic Administrator of the Paris Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great.
On December 18, 2025, Bishop Ihor Rantsya was consecrated as Bishop of the Paris Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great.
The main theme of the 2026 Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is “Pastoral Care of Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.” During the plenary sessions, the bishops will analyze the current state of vocations in different parts of the world, discuss the experiences of their eparchies, and seek common responses to the challenges facing the Church as a result of war, migration, and social change. Particular emphasis will be placed on creating an environment in which young people can hear God’s voice, discern their vocation, and receive appropriate spiritual guidance on their journey toward the priesthood or consecrated life.
The UGCC Department for Information
