OCU and UGCC “hierarchs” hold ecumenical memorial service for UPA soldiers

Ecumenical service of the OCU and UGCC. Photo: Facebook page of the OCU’s Ternopil Eparchy

On May 3, 2026, “hierarchs” of the OCU and UGCC held a joint ecumenical memorial service for soldiers of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). This was reported by the Facebook page of the OCU’s Ternopil Eparchy.

The event took place at the grave of UPA soldiers on Kachurova Hill near the village of Sosulivka in the Ternopil region. The funeral litia was served by OCU “Metropolitan” Nestor together with UGCC Bishop Dmytro of Buchach.

The service was dedicated to the memory of UPA soldiers who fell on May 7, 1945.

The Facebook post by the OCU’s Ternopil Eparchy drew a negative reaction. Believers left critical comments expressing dissatisfaction with the joint service with Greek Catholics:

“Personal opinion. Since the early 1990s, Orthodox Christians have never prayed jointly with the UGCC. That is, with regard to the union, dialogue among Christians is possible: 1) alternating services; 2) of course, if they come to pray – what can one do.” – Aleksiy Ierey

“It is sad that you are now openly concelebrating with Uniates.” – Philosophical Orthodox

Such joint services by the OCU and UGCC have become a practice characteristic primarily of Ukraine’s western regions, where both structures have the largest number of parishes. The holding of memorial services for UPA fighters with the participation of representatives of various confessions has met with mixed reactions – both from a canonical and historical point of view.

As the UOJ reported, an OCU cleric in Poland was accused of promoting the UPA and was urged to leave the country. The theme of glorifying the UPA in the context of the activities of religious structures remains a subject of heated debate outside Ukraine – especially in Poland, where the memory of the UPA’s crimes against the peaceful Polish population remains a painful part of historical memory.

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