By Andrea Gagliarducci
Rome Newsroom, Feb 24, 2025 / 15:35 pm
On February 24, 2025, the world remembered the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that began in 2014. To honor this day, the Ukrainian embassy to the Holy See in Rome organized a Pan-Ukrainian Day of Prayer, as reported by Vatican News.
The day included a special Mass for peace at St. John Lateran Basilica, led by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the pope’s vicar for the Diocese of Rome. Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches and former nuncio to Ukraine, also participated in the event.
Ambassadors from various countries took part in the Mass, with prayers offered by representatives from Chile, Poland, Lithuania, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Hungary. Ambassador George Poulides of Cyprus, dean of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, read a passage from the Book of Sirach.
Following mediation by the Holy See, two Redemptorist priests of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Father Bohdan Geleta and Father Ivan Levytsky, who were detained by Russian forces in 2022, were released in 2024.
At a meeting attended by Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, apostolic nuncio to Ukraine, Father Geleta shared his experience, expressing gratitude for God’s strength during his time in captivity. He recounted the challenges of facing brutality and inhumanity but found solace in his faith and the belief in saving his enemies through his suffering.
Reflecting on the hardships endured by himself and fellow prisoners, Father Geleta emphasized the importance of faith in overcoming adversity. Despite the pain and suffering witnessed, he remained steadfast in his commitment to forgiveness and compassion.
