(Sunday after All Saints Sunday – Third Sunday after Pentecost)
The Sunday of All Saints of Kyivan Rus’ and Ukrainian Martyrs is celebrated on the Sunday following All Saints Sunday, which places it as the third Sunday after Pentecost in the liturgical calendar of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). This feast honors all the saints and martyrs native to the lands of Kyivan Rus’, the spiritual ancestors of the Ukrainian Church, as well as the modern martyrs who gave their lives for the faith, particularly during the persecutions of the 20th century.
The saints of Kyivan Rus’ include prominent historical figures such as Saint Volodymyr the Great, who baptized the people of Rus’ in 988, as well as early bishops, monastics like Saint Anthony and Theodosius of the Kyiv Caves, and countless holy men and women who faithfully lived the Christian life in Ukraine. This feast celebrates their lasting spiritual legacy and encourages the faithful to draw strength from their example.
Alongside these ancient saints, the day also commemorates the Ukrainian martyrs of the 20th century, including bishops, priests, religious, and laypeople who endured persecution and death for their steadfast faith during the Soviet era. The beatified martyrs—such as Blessed Mykolai Charnetskyi, Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky, and Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska—are remembered for their heroic witness and sacrifice.
Liturgically, this feast features hymns and prayers that unite the faithful in honoring this rich heritage of sanctity and martyrdom, reminding all that holiness is a call extended to every generation.
Through this celebration, the UGCC renews its commitment to live the Gospel courageously, inspired by the saints and martyrs who laid the spiritual foundations of the Church in Ukraine.
Here is the full list of the Blessed Martyrs of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II on June 27, 2001, in Lviv, Ukraine. These martyrs suffered persecution and death under Soviet communism for their faith and witness to the Church.
Blessed Mykola Charnetskyi (1884–1959) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky (1903–1973) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Hryhoriy Khomyshyn (1867–1947) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Ivan Sleziuk (1896–1973) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Stepan Sulyk (1892–1944) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Omelian Kovch (1884–1944) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Yosafat Kotsylovsky (1876–1947) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska (1869–1919) — Foundress of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate
Blessed Alexander Chira (1897–1983) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Petro Verhun (1886–1957) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Volodymyr Pryjma (1906–1941) — Subdeacon and martyr
Blessed Ivan Ziatyk (1899–1952) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Oleksiy Zarytskyi (1884–1963) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Klymentiy Sheptytskyi (1869–1951) — Archimandrite and martyr
Blessed Vitaliy Bayrak (1907–1946) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky (1903–1973) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Yosafat Kotsylovsky (1876–1947) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Ivan Hrynokh (1910–1980) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Ivan Hryhorovych-Barskyi (1813–1885) — Monk and martyr
Blessed Volodymyr Dudchak (1887–1957) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Yosafat Fedoryk (1876–1947) — Bishop and martyr
Blessed Ivan Buhym (1890–1951) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Mykhailo Kosyl (1888–1946) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Mykhailo Hayduk (1885–1947) — Priest and martyr
Blessed Nykyta Budka (1877–1949) — Bishop and martyr
Some names appear in multiple records with slight variations due to transliteration.
This list includes bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and laypeople who demonstrated heroic faith in the face of persecution.
The beatification ceremony in Lviv was a landmark event recognizing the courage and witness of these martyrs.
