His Beatitude Sviatoslav and Archbishop Borys Gudziak Meet with Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko

On January 30, 2026, accompanying His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Borys Gudziak paid a visit to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Patriarchal Financial Officer, Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky also was present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the participants discussed issues related to the capital’s energy supply, as well as ways to deepen cooperation between the Church, city authorities, and international partners in order to support the residents of Kyiv during the war.

During the conversation, His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed gratitude to the city leadership, municipal workers, and energy specialists for their dedicated service under wartime conditions. He emphasized that the Church remains close to the people of the capital, responding to humanitarian needs and transforming parishes into centers of support and hope. He also underscored the importance of international solidarity and the Church’s active communication with the global community in support of Ukraine.

Archbishop Borys Gudziak highlighted the broad international presence of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church and its role in preserving Ukrainian identity abroad. He noted that Church communities, particularly in the United States, are actively engaged in prayer, humanitarian assistance, and advocacy on behalf of Ukraine, and that cooperation with the Catholic community in the United States remains an important direction for further strengthening this support.

The meeting also addressed the urgent needs of the capital and the challenges caused by constant attacks. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko emphasized the importance of maintaining moral resilience, preserving unity, and bringing a message of hope to the people, noting the especially significant role of the Church in this effort.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav presented the Mayor of Kyiv with the book "Ukraine Stands! Ukraine Fights! Ukraine Prays!", which brings together his daily messages delivered during the first year of the full-scale invasion. The Mayor was also presented with a commemorative medal marking the anniversary of the restoration of the Kyiv Metropolia and the return of the seat of the Head of the UGCC to the capital.

Source: ugcc.ua