Verkhovna Rada proposes to approve spiritual anthem

Stefanchuk performing the spiritual hymn. Photo: Stefanchuk’s Facebook page

On July 3, the Verkhovna Rada registered a draft resolution on the approval of the spiritual anthem of Ukraine "Bozhe Velykyi, Yedynyi" ("O Great and Only God") and the procedure for its performance at official events in Kyiv.

Among the initiators of the document are the chairman of the parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as MPs Poturaiev, Korniienko, Kondratiuk and Krulko. The document in question is draft resolution No. 15383, which proposes to enshrine the text of the spiritual anthem set to music by Mykola Lysenko and words by Oleksandr Konissky in the edition of Oleksandr Koshyts. The draft also provides for the performance of the work at ceremonial, public, state, civic, religious, cultural and sporting events.

In the explanatory note, the authors state that the practice of performing the hymn had already been introduced during events marking National Prayer Day, but neither the text nor the procedure for its use has yet been formally established in legislation. At the same time, the draft resolution explicitly states that granting it the status of a spiritual hymn does not alter the legal status of the National Anthem of Ukraine. At nationwide official events, the spiritual hymn is to be performed after the national anthem.

As the UOJ reported, a bill on National Ptayer Day was submitted to the Rada. At that time, among the proposals already put forward was the performance of the spiritual anthem "Bozhe Velykyi, Yedynyi" at the opening of a special session of parliament on February 24.

On February 12, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada established National Prayer Day, after which the performance of the spiritual hymn became part of certain official events. The new draft resolution, registered on July 3, 2026, is intended to separately regulate the hymn's official text and the framework for its public use.

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