With the blessing of Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Rev. Ruslan Romanyuk and Rev. Mykola Ivanov, representatives of the ecclesiastical tribunal of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, participated in the Ninth Course of Continuing Education in Canonical Matrimonial and Procedural Law, held September 21-25, 2026, at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Pontificia Università della Santa Croce) in Rome.
Organized by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, the course, now in its ninth edition, brings together canonists, judges, advocates, defenders of the marriage bond, promoters of justice, and other professionals serving in ecclesiastical tribunals from around the world.
This year’s program focused in particular on the normative, doctrinal, and jurisprudential developments in canonical matrimonial law during the first decade of the application of the Apostolic Letters issued Motu Proprio Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus and Mitis et Misericors Iesus, promulgated by the Holy Father in 2015. Particular attention was given to practical questions arising in the work of ecclesiastical tribunals in cases concerning the nullity of marriage.
The methodology of the course combined theoretical instruction with practical case analysis. Alongside scholarly presentations addressing recent developments in canonical law and matrimonial jurisprudence, participants examined and discussed concrete cases that had been prepared and distributed in advance. This approach provided an opportunity for professional discussion and for the exchange of experience among tribunal practitioners from different countries.
In addition to Rev. Ruslan Romanyuk and Rev. Mykola Ivanov, the course was attended by canonists representing other eparchies and metropolitan jurisdictions of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, both within Ukraine and beyond its territory. Their participation provided an important opportunity for professional dialogue, the exchange of experience, and the strengthening of cooperation among those engaged in the ministry of the Church in the field of matrimonial and procedural law.
An important spiritual moment of the visit to Rome was the participation of the course attendees in the General Audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, held in St. Peter’s Square on September 23, 2026.
While in Rome, representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church also visited the Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, where they met with His Excellency Andrii Yurash, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Holy See.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the longstanding relationship between Ukraine and the Holy See, the role of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in preserving and strengthening these historic ties, and the contemporary challenges facing Ukraine.
Relations between Kyivan Rus’ and the Holy See have a long history. Historical sources attest to diplomatic and ecclesial contacts between Kyivan Rus’ and Rome centuries before the establishment of modern diplomatic relations. Following the restoration of Ukraine’s independence in 1991, diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Holy See were established on February 8, 1992. In 2000, the Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See began its work in Rome.
Participation in this international course and the accompanying events in Rome was an important opportunity for Rev. Ruslan Romanyuk and Rev. Mykola Ivanov to deepen their professional knowledge, become acquainted with current developments in canonical matrimonial and procedural law, and strengthen professional relationships with canonists and ecclesiastical tribunals from different parts of the world.
Continued professional formation is an important dimension of responsible service to the Church and to couples who seek the assistance of an ecclesiastical tribunal.
