Head of UGCC begins official visit to Portugal

This was reported by the UGCC Department for Information.

On Sunday, October 5, under his leadership, Ukrainians from Portugal and other Western European countries will make a pilgrimage to Fatima. Following this, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will participate in the Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE).

At Portela International Airport in the capital of Portugal, His Beatitude Sviatoslav was welcomed by the Ukrainian community, led by Bishop Stepan Sus, Head of the Pastoral Migration Department of the UGCC, along with clergy serving in Portugal.

During the pilgrimage to Fatima, His Beatitude Sviatoslav will lead the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, which is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. local time.

“Tomorrow in Fatima, the site of Marian apparitions,” said the head of the UGCC, “together with our faithful and clergy, we will stand where the Mother of God revealed God's plan for Ukraine, in which our people have a special place. It is the Ukrainian people who have received from God the strength to stop Russia's murderous hand. We have come to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary with one heart and one voice, that the Lord may bring an end to the war in Ukraine and bless our children with peace. We ask the Blessed Virgin to cover Ukraine with her holy omophorion, to be with us, to support our people, and to grant us steadfastness and strength in the fight against evil through the grace of the Holy Spirit.”