Drabinko hands over relics of Apostle Andrew and Prince Volodymyr to UGCC

Sviatoslav Shevchuk and Alexander Drabynko. Photo: UGCC

January 23, 2025 – A solemn ceremony took place at the administrative house of the Patriarchal Center of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in Kyiv, during which the relics of Saint Andrew the First-Called and Prince Volodymyr were handed over to UGCC leader Sviatoslav Shevchuk. The relics were presented by former UOC Metropolitan Alexander Drabinko, who transitioned to the OCU, according to the UGCC press service.

"While holding the relics of Saint Volodymyr, we are reminded that in his time, Christianity was united – there was no division between Constantinople and Rome, Catholics and Orthodox. Christ’s Church was one. He is a witness to that undivided, unified Church," emphasized the UGCC leader.

The holy relics were transferred to the chapel in the administrative building of the Patriarchal Center, where they will be kept.

Drabinko expressed his joy in handing over the relics as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:

"These relics were and remain in the Memorial Fund of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan). His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr and Patriarch Lubomyr (Huzar) knew each other well and had very good relations. At that time, I served as secretary to Metropolitan Volodymyr, while His Beatitude Sviatoslav was the secretary and assistant to Patriarch Lubomyr, and we developed a friendly relationship. An initiative was proposed, and I could not disregard it," stated the OCU "metropolitan."

As previously reported by the UOJ, Sviatoslav Shevchuk noted that the unified UGCC-OCU structure will result from Rome-Phanar unity efforts.

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