The Redemptorist hieromonks Ivan Levytsky and Bohdan Geleta, who were released from Russian captivity, took part in the All-Ukrainian pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia. On Sunday, July 14, they concelebrated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy led by His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The service was also attended by the bishops of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC from around the world, the Information Department of the UGCC reports.
"Our Church had been praying for the release of our fathers from Berdiansk for such a long time. And finally, they are here with us!" said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, "Today, we feel the power of Christian hope, for it is the power of God."
The head of the UGCC noted that today there are at least 7,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war and more than 10,000 civilian prisoners still held in the torture chambers of Russian prisons.
He emphasized that today, with the presence of the UGCC priests released from Russian captivity, the Lord sends us a sign of hope: "Until recently, there were shackles on those hands, but they fell off," said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, "and so will the shackles that our enemy is putting on us today."
On behalf of the entire Church, the Head of the UGCC expressed his respect and gratitude to Fr. Bohdan and Fr. Ivan, emphasizing that today, they are a sign of hope for many Ukrainians:
"We thank the Lord that you are alive, that you are together today, that you are a sign of hope for thousands of Ukrainians," the Head of the UGCC said, "Allow me to express my gratitude to you on behalf of your Mother Church and kiss your hand in a symbolic gesture."
The Head of the UGCC invited the newest confessors of the faith to share a blessing: "Bless our people so that your testimony and your hope may assure our people that our hope is powerful and the Risen Christ is with us."
As reported previously, the UGCC priests, hieromonks of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer Ivan Levytsky and Bohdan Geleta, were released from Russian captivity on June 28, 2024, as part of the 53rd prisoner exchange. This exchange took place with the mediation of the Apostolic See. The priests spent more than 1.5 years in captivity. They were arrested in the occupied Berdiansk on November 16, 2022. For a long time, their fate remained unknown.