Shevchuk discusses UGCC role in Ukrainians’ return from abroad with OP rep
Shevchuk and Kovalska. Photo: UGCC
On May 7, 2025, Sviatoslav Shevchuk met with Olena Kovalska, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, at the UGCC center in Kyiv. This was reported by the UGCC press service.
The meeting addressed the role of around one thousand UGCC parishes and spiritual centers abroad. According to Shevchuk, these structures carry out “people’s and spiritual diplomacy” by informing foreign audiences about the war in Ukraine.
The head of the UGCC assured Kovalska that he constantly urges Ukrainians abroad to return after peace is established. “When your state calls you – come back, because Ukraine needs everyone for its revival,” Shevchuk quoted himself as telling Ukrainians in the diaspora. Shevchuk also presented Kovalska with the book “The NKVD-MGB-KGB Agency in Ukraine’s Orthodox Episcopate (1939–1964): Formation, Functions, Models of Behavior.”
Kovalska’s adviser Viktoria Tytarenko also took part in the meeting.
As the UOJ reported, Shevchuk said that the Pope’s strongest statement on Ukraine came after his meeting with the pontiff. The UGCC has an extensive network of structures in Western Europe, North America, and Australia, serving the large Ukrainian diaspora abroad, including those who left because of the war.
Read also
ROCOR Approves Rules of Conduct for Clergy on Social Media
The Eastern American Diocese of ROCOR has called on clergy to focus on parish life, limiting their online activity to the bounds of pastoral duty.
UOC dioceses held summer camps and theological meetings for youth
Young believers took part in theological meetings, prayers, pilgrimage trips and children's camps.
Mnyshyn community marks anniversary in new church instead of seized one
In the Rivne region, believers prayerfully marked the feast day of Prince Volodymyr in a new church built after the loss of their former shrine.
Kyiv's Obolon residents demolish fence at UGCC temple construction site
In Obolon, local residents have long been fighting against the construction of a Uniate church.
Vatican proposes involving non-Christians in diocesan assemblies
Pope Leo XIV proposed that synodality be regarded not as a working method but as a new "spiritual style."
In Bosnia, vandals desecrate Mother of God statute and set fire to altar
Police detained a suspect after an outdoor altar was set on fire and statues of the Mother of God were desecrated.