In Vatican, OCU representatives again hold religious events at relics of St. Nicholas

Representatives of the OCU once again held religious events at the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the crypt of the papal basilica in Bari (Italy). The event was organized with the assistance of the Ukrainian Embassy in the Vatican and became, according to diplomats, “an exceptional spiritual event.”

According to Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Andriy Yurash, on his Facebook account, the Vatican has once again provided the opportunity to hold the so-called Ukrainian liturgy. The event took place in the crypt of the papal basilica of St. Nicholas on the island of Bari and was held “with the blessing” of the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko. The event was led by OCU clerics Bohdan Gulyamov, Ivan Sydor and Savva Zaritsky.

Andriy Yurash expressed his sincere gratitude to the rector of the Pontifical Basilica of St. Nicholas and the prior of the local assembly of Dominican fathers for the “unique opportunity” to hold an “inspiring Ukrainian liturgy.” According to him, the service was attended by about fifty Italians who were “fascinated by the depth of the Eastern Christian worship and the singing of the choir.” The ambassador himself called the event “an exceptional spiritual event” and noted that the prayer at the relics of St. Nicholas was “an inspiring start to a new year of life” for him.

As reported, on December 16, 2024, the delegation of the OCU, led by Epiphany Dumenko, held religious events at the Basilica of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bari (Italy), where the imperishable relics of the saint are located. At the entrance to the church, Dumenko was met by the mayor of Bari, Vito Leccese, and the rector of the basilica, Giovanni Distante.