Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the 184th Week of War: United Europe Today Sees Ukraine as Part of its Securite Space
The icon from Bakhmut will be called “Spas of Bakhmut” (The Savior of Bakhmut). It will become a spring of God’s grace in the underground basilica of Simeon Lukach in Starunia.
This was announced by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in the 184th week of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine — a week of heroic efforts made by our people in defense of their state and homeland.
The Primate believes that this week will go down in history as a time of special efforts on the international arena aimed at stopping the Russian aggressor by all means possible.
The Head of the Church expressed his deep gratitude to European leaders: “Today, a united Europe sees Ukraine not only as part of its cultural, economic, and security space, but also as a guarantor of security, stability, and development on the European continent.
Your help inspires us, makes us stronger, capable not only of stopping the Russian murderer, but also of dreaming and building a future for Ukraine, Europe, and the world.”
His Beatitude noted that even when various assurances and promises were made by the aggressor regarding “future peace,” the Russian Federation continued to kill…
According to him, this week we had a special spiritual event in the Carpathian region—in the ancient village of Starunia, the first underground basilica in Ukraine was consecrated:
“We all witnessed the development of a pilgrimage center associated with the figure of Blessed Martyr Simeon Lukach, bishop of the underground Church, prisoner of Stalin’s torture chambers and camps, who was born and passed into eternity here.” By consecrating this basilica, we have brought there a special spiritual gift, a sign that God sends to His people — an icon saved by our soldiers from Bakhmut, the city of the fiercest battles of recent years.
Read also:
Video Message of the Head of the UGCC on the 184th Week of the Full-Scale War, August 24, 2025
It was miraculously rescued from a burning building. The icon was brought to us by our chaplains. Everyone who prays before it feels that God is sending them healing power through it. From this day forward, this icon will be known as the “Spas of Bakhmut.” It will become a spring of God’s grace in the underground basilica of Simeon Lukach in Starunia, where the Lord gathers and heals His suffering people,” said the spiritual leader of the Ukrainians.
The UGCC Department for Information
