Holy Saturday is one of those days when the church, though liturgically silent, speaks volumes through signs. In Poland and Ukraine, one of the most popular and deeply symbolic gestures is the blessing of Easter foods, known as “swieconka,” or Easter basket.
Catholic and other religious leaders are condemning a Palm Sunday attack by Russia on a Ukrainian city that killed 34 – including two children – and injured 119.
As two Ukrainian soldiers in the Diocese of Brooklyn work to adjust their lives after losing a part of their legs in battle, they have also discovered a more profound faith to help them along the journey.
Father Sergiy Emanuel raked his fingers through his hair to point out the silver strands that have begun to appear since Russia invaded Ukraine more than three years ago.
In a new Lenten reflection published just a few days after a tense interaction between President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,
In an interview with Italian media, Vatican Secretary of State Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin defended Pope Francis’ recent controversial remarks suggesting that Ukraine step back and be open to negotiations in its ongoing war with Russia.
Pope Francis’ comment that Ukraine should have the “courage of the white flag” and engage in negotiation to end its war with Russia was dismissed by the Ukrainian government and church leaders.
The state of the union “is strong and getting stronger,” President Joe Biden said in his March 7 address.
In remarks at the start of a visit to the United States, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, thanked church leaders for their support and expressed his belief that continued solidarity can carry Ukraine to victory over Russia.
Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Sister Lucia Murashko has remained in Zaporizhzhia, a Ukrainian city about 40 miles from the front lines. Facing multiple opportunities, and even encouragement to leave, she said she stayed to respond to what God told her to do.
