Feast Day of the Holy Eucharist in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC)
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) celebrates the Feast of the Holy Eucharist on the Thursday after the Sunday of All Saints, which is the second Thursday after Pentecost. This feast, though lesser-known compared to major liturgical celebrations, holds deep spiritual and theological significance. It is a special day dedicated to the reverent commemoration of the Real Presence of Christ in the Divine Eucharist, the “Mystical Supper” that lies at the heart of Eastern Christian worship.
The Feast of the Holy Eucharist developed in the Kyivan tradition as a local liturgical expression of love and devotion toward the Holy Mysteries—particularly the Body and Blood of Christ. While Western Christianity observes Corpus Christi (instituted in the 13th century) on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, the Eastern Churches did not develop a parallel universal feast. However, in the UGCC, this feast was adopted inspired partly by Latin Catholic influences and partly as an organic response to deepen Eucharistic awareness among the faithful.
It was placed after All Saints Sunday to emphasize the link between the sanctity of the faithful and their communion with Christ in the Eucharist. Saints are those who were nourished and sanctified by the same Eucharistic Christ whom the Church venerates on this day.
Celebrating the Eucharist on the Thursday after All Saints connects it symbolically to Holy Thursday, the day of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. However, during Holy Week, the tone is penitential and focused on the Passion. Therefore, the UGCC set aside a day in the liturgical calendar—after the joyful season of Pascha and Pentecost—to focus entirely on Eucharistic devotion, without the sorrow of the Passion narrative.
In pastoral practice, especially in parishes where weekday attendance is low, the feast is often transferred to the second Sunday after Pentecost. This allows more faithful to participate and deepen their understanding and reverence for the Eucharist. In some cases, the celebration extends throughout the week, especially in monasteries or communities with strong liturgical life, where Eucharistic adoration, special liturgies, and catechesis are organized.
Divine Liturgy with a special emphasis on the Eucharistic prayers and theology.
Processions with the Holy Gifts or exposition of the reserved sacrament (rare but present in some UGCC parishes).
Catechesis or sermons focused on the meaning of the Eucharist.
Eucharistic devotions, including spiritual communion and thanksgiving prayers after Liturgy.
In some communities, Holy Communion is emphasized as central to Christian life, and a call to more frequent and worthy reception is made.
The Feast of the Holy Eucharist in the UGCC is a profound reminder of Christ’s abiding presence among His people through the mystery of the Divine Liturgy. Its timing after Pentecost underscores that the Church, filled with the Holy Spirit, is united with Christ through the Eucharist, the “source and summit” of her life. By celebrating it on a Thursday or transferring it to Sunday, the Church ensures that this central mystery is honored, taught, and lived out more fully by all.
