Ukrainian Pilgrims in St. Peter's Basilica prayed for peace and unity of Christians in Ukraine

More than 5 thousand Ukrainian pilgrims prayed for peace and unity of Orthodox and Catholics in Ukraine in the Vatican's St. Peter Cathedral on Sunday. As Radio Liberty reports, the faithful gathered for a solemn Liturgy on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the canonization of St. Josaphat Kuntsevich, who on the brink of the XVI-XVII centuries became famous for pastoral activities for the unity of Christians.

The Patriarch of the UGCC Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Byzantine rite in the main Catholic Church on the papal throne. The Pope, for the second time, gave him such a privilege for the proximity of Ukraine and respect for the figure of St. Josaphat, which is celebrated by the Catholic Church all over the world.

“Today we ask that God inspire the hearts of all Christians in Ukraine by this fire – the striving of St. Josaphat to unity,” Patriarch Sviatoslav said.

Before the Liturgy during the prayer, Pope Francis on the square of St. Peter congratulated pilgrims from Ukraine and representatives of the UGCC.

“I spiritually unite with the Divine Liturgy (which you serve at St. Peter's Cathedral), asking the Lord for each of you the courage in the Christian testimony and the gift of peace for the dear Ukrainian land,” the Pontiff said.

Among the pilgrims in Vatican there were young people from Ukraine.

“As a member of the ATO, it was very pleasant to hear in the Vatican the words of prayer for us, the soldiers, for the situation in Ukraine, because they think in the homeland that we have forgotten. It does not. We are reminded about us, we are supported,” said Roman Cherniavsky, aged 25, from Lviv Oblast.

These celebrations took place within the limits of national pilgrimage to the grave of St. Josaphat, whose relics rest in the Cathedral of St. Peter.

Bishop Josaphat Kuntsevich of the UGCC (1580-1623) became famous for his religious activities after the announcement of the Union of Brest on the unification of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches under the jurisdiction of the Pope.

This religious leader died in 1623, falling victim of the outraged opponents. The fact of martyrdom was an occasion for the Holy See to glorify him among the saints for the devotion to the Church and willingness to die for the sake of its unity.