Uniates open a Catholic school in Zaporizhzhia
Catholic school in Zaporizhzhia. Photo: UGCC website
On September 1, 2025, the UGCC solemnly opened the first Catholic school in Zaporizhzhia. This event became historic for the region, where Catholic presence had previously been minimal.
The school was founded by the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of the Donetsk Exarchate of the UGCC and is intended for primary school students. Construction lasted 14 months, and the building was completed in August 2025.
The ceremonial opening was attended by the Donetsk exarch of the Uniates, Maksym Riabukha, who emphasized the importance of this event for the history of Zaporizhzhia. School principal Vitaliia Vovk stated that this is “not just a building with classrooms, but a place where the future generation will be brought up on the basis of eternal values.”
Zaporizhzhia region is historically an Orthodox area, where Catholic influence was insignificant. The opening of a Catholic school can be seen as part of the UGCC’s strategy to expand its presence in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the frontline territories of Donbas.
Earlier, the UOJ cited Shevchuk’s words that claims about the emergence of Uniates as a result of the Union are “Moscow propaganda.”
Read also
Medieval сhurch сrumbles as Culture Ministry сites missing agreement
The 14th–15th-century St. Nicholas Church in Chesnyky, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, is falling into disrepair.
Poland сondemns Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2007 year of UPA
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the Lviv Regional Council's decision to dedicate 2027 to the UPA and Roman Shukhevych is harmful to Ukraine.
OCU seeks court recognition of ownership of seized Cherkasy cathedral
The Cherkasy Regional Commercial Court will hear an OCU lawsuit seeking ownership of St. Michael's Cathedral, which was seized from UOC believers.
Lithuanian bishop: Ukraine is no model for believers' rights
Vicar of Vilnius Diocese voices concern over attempts to import Ukraine's religious conflict into Lithuania.
Hundreds of believers honor St. Alexis of Carpatho-Russia in Khust Eparchy
At the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Iza-Karputlash, Metropolitan Mark of Khust led a festive liturgy, concelebrated by six metropolitans, five archbishops and three bishops.
Court upholds UOC parish appeal in Voloshky over OCU switch dispute
The Northern Commercial Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the St. Nicholas parish of the UOC in the village of Voloshky, Volyn region, in a dispute over a transfer to the OCU.