The Orthodox Patron Saint of Ukraine is St. Josaphat, who was born in the Ukraine in 1580. His baptismal name was John, and his parents raised him to lead a holy life. He studied with zeal and learned the breviary at a young age. He formed friendships with men of high moral standing.
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St. Job of Pochaev
St. Job of Pochaev, a Ukrainian Orthodox saint, is a monk who was the first abbot of the Pochaev Lavra, one of the most important monastic centers of Western Ukraine. He was a Christian teacher and a model ascetic monk. His icon of Our Lady of Pochaev can be found in the lower church of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Jordanville, NY.
In the early eighteenth century, the Uniates took over the Pochaev monastery. They composed a service to St. Job and petitioned the Holy Synod for his canonization. However, the monk refused to allow his relics to be canonized. The monastery was eventually returned to the Russian Church, and the relics were once again opened by the Holy Synod. This second unveiling was on August 28, 1833.
St. Nicholas
Saint Nicholas has long been associated with the nation of Ukraine and its people. As the orthodox patron saint of Ukraine, he is also the patron of seafarers. The colorful history of St. Nicholas’s faith in Ukraine is filled with historical events and lore. Today’s Ukrainian Americans are descendants of mass immigration from Ukraine. These people came here many years ago and traveled a long way to seek a better life. Although it wasn’t an easy journey, it was also a first step to freedom.
Ukraine celebrates the festival of St. Nicholas with much joy. It is the main holiday of the year for gift giving. It is also celebrated by many Ukrainian churches. The tradition of bringing gifts to children dates back to the time of St. Nicholas, who came before Santa Claus.
St. Josaphat
The patron saint of Ukraine is a Lithuanian-Polish man who was born in modern-day Ukraine. He was born into a Ruthenian Orthodox family and became a Catholic after the Union of Brest in 1598. He later joined the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and became an archimandrite in Plotsk.
The orthodox church considers him to be one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity. His life span encompassed a long and fruitful prayer life. He began to study at an early age and learned the breviary. His zeal for learning led him to build close relationships with holy men.
St. Josaphat’s relics in Milwaukee Wisconsin
In the Lincoln Village neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Basilica of St. Josaphat is one of the 82 minor basilicas in the United States. It houses the relics of St. Josaphat, a member of the early Christian church. Founded in 1833, the Basilica is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Wisconsin and the 84th basilica worldwide.
St. Josaphat’s Basilica in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and was designed by German architect Erhard Brielmaier. It features a cross-shaped floor plan, massive copper dome and stained-glass windows. The interior is adorned with paintings and oil murals by Roman artists. It was designated a basilica by the pope in 1929.
The iconography on the Kyiv city banner depicts the life and work of the Ukrainian saint St. Josaphat. Born in Vladimir, Volhynia, the father of a nobleman, Josaphat developed a deep love of the Church in his youth. He spent many hours in prayer in his parish church of St. Parasceve and grew in grace and wisdom before God. In his later years, he was sent to Vilno to learn trade.
Another iconography on Kyiv’s city banner depicts St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter. Andrew is another important figure in Ukrainian culture, as he traveled to the Black Sea area where Ukraine developed. Another icon depicts St. Josaphat, who was 16 years old in 1596. He fought for the Catholic side in a clash with the Orthodox, and preached for unity among the churches. He was later killed with an axe in front of his church, but his iconography still lives on.
Persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church began during the Soviet era. The Soviet Secret Police murdered 34 Ukrainian Bishops and more than 3000 priests, and many other church leaders were imprisoned. Church leaders were often detained and tortured in jail, and many were deported to concentration camps.
Despite the persecution, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church continues to be a vital part of the Ukrainian culture. The Church calls for peace in Ukraine, urging all leaders to avoid war, as war is a sin against God. The largest church-affiliated media outlet, the Union of Orthodox Journalists, has called reports of the invasion alarmist, accusing OCU and Greek Catholic bishops of spreading panic.
