The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Proclaims Teenagers’ Day: “To Facilitate Their Integral Growth and Active Participation in the Life of the Church”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, has proclaimed Teenagers’ Day in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, to be observed annually on September 17—the feast day of the Holy Martyr Sophia and her three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Love.
The Decree states that adolescence is a special and important period in a person’s life: a time for discovering one’s calling, forming one’s personality, searching for truth, strengthening one’s faith, and discerning God’s plan for one’s life.
“The Holy Church, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who even at a young age was in the temple among the teachers and sought to fulfill the will of the Heavenly Father, strives to be at the side of young people during this important stage of their life’s journey,” the Decree states.
This support takes on special significance in the context of war, when Ukrainian teenagers are experiencing forced separation, loss, uncertainty, and other social and spiritual hardships. Therefore, as His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasizes, it is important to create a space of safety, trust, prayer, fellowship, and growth for them, as well as to help them recognize the value of their own lives.
The establishment of Teenagers’ Day is intended to draw the special attention of church communities, families, clergy, catechists, educators, and all people of good will to the needs and spiritual lives of teenagers.
“Teenagers are not only the future of the Church and our people—they are already full members of the Church community today, called to come to know Christ, to live by His Gospel, and to build God’s world using their gifts,” the Decree emphasizes.
On this day, parish communities, families, catechists, priests, and youth organizations are urged to pray especially for teenagers and to organize joint prayers, gatherings, and catechetical and educational events aimed at their spiritual and personal growth.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav calls on parents to lovingly accompany their children during this important period of life, to be an example of faith, hope, and love for them, to listen attentively, to support them, and to help them discover God’s plan for their lives.
The Primate addresses the teenagers themselves: “Do not be afraid to seek Christ, to listen to His voice, and to open your lives to God’s grace. Remember that the Lord calls each of you to a great life in truth, love, and service.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav entrusted the task of developing a concept for celebrating Teenagers’ Day to the Patriarchal Commission for Youth Affairs, in cooperation with the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission, the Patriarchal Commission on Family and the Laity, and the Pastoral Council of the UGCC.
The decision to proclaim Teenagers’ Day was adopted in accordance with the resolutions of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, which took place from July 1 to 10, 2026, in Zarvanytsia.
The UGCC Department for Information
