Feast Day of Christ the Lover of Mankind
(UGCC – Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
The Feast of Christ the Lover of Mankind (also known as the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Latin tradition) is celebrated within the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) as a devotional feast focusing on the merciful and all-encompassing love of Jesus Christ for humanity. It is observed on the Friday after the second Sunday after Pentecost, mirroring the date of the Latin Catholic Feast of the Sacred Heart. While it has Western roots, the UGCC has integrated this celebration in a way that respects Eastern theology and liturgical sensibility.
The feast draws its inspiration from the Latin devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which flourished in the 17th century through the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and was officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church in the 19th century. Though the devotion began in the West, it gained spiritual resonance in the Eastern Catholic Churches, particularly in the UGCC, due to its emphasis on God’s boundless mercy, love, and compassion.
In adapting the feast, the UGCC reframed the title to “Christ the Lover of Mankind” (Христос Чоловіколюбець), a deeply theological expression found in many Eastern Christian prayers and hymns. The term highlights a central theme of Eastern spirituality: God’s philanthropy—His desire to save, heal, and embrace all people with divine love.
When? It is celebrated on the Friday after the second Sunday after Pentecost, which makes it the third Friday after Pentecost.
Why this day? Just as the Latin Church places it after Corpus Christi, the UGCC follows this timing to reflect on Christ’s love expressed in the Eucharist and extended to all humanity.
Christ’s Divine Compassion: The feast emphasizes that Jesus is not only the Savior and Judge but the Lover of mankind—one who suffers with us, forgives us, and seeks communion with us.
Mystical Theology: In the Eastern tradition, this love is not focused so much on the physical heart, as in Western imagery, but on the whole mystery of Christ’s Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection, which reveals God’s burning desire to be united with humanity.
Divine Liturgy with special propers (hymns and readings) that highlight the love of Christ.
Moleben to Christ the Lover of Mankind, a special prayer service similar to a Paraklesis or Akathist, invoking Christ’s mercy and grace.
Eucharistic Adoration, where practiced, or time set aside for silent prayer and meditation.
Acts of Consecration to the Heart of Jesus (in communities with Latin influence).
Encouragement of personal devotion: prayers of reparation, thanksgiving, and love.
This feast is a powerful reminder to the faithful that God’s love is not abstract, but deeply personal, healing, and transformative. In a world marked by suffering and division, Christ as the Lover of Mankind stands as a symbol of divine mercy, urging believers to reflect His compassion in their own lives.
