**Ukraine’s Catholics Tend to Faithful Driven Out by Russian Occupation**
In the midst of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, a community of Ukrainian Catholics has been providing crucial support to those displaced from occupied territories. The Order of Saint Basil the Great monastery in Zaporizhzhia has become a haven for families and children fleeing the war.
**A Haven for Displaced Families**
Sister Lukia Murashko, the mother superior at the monastery, said that when kids come, especially little ones, they feel safe and cling to us, needing hugs and warmth. The monastery provides a cheerful environment adorned with Ukrainian flags and greeting cards from soldiers. In June, Sister Lukia and two other nuns made a cake for the 15th birthday of Evhen, a boy who fled the occupied city of Melitopol with his mother.
**The Growth of Catholicism in Ukraine**
Catholicism has been growing in Ukraine, particularly in the East of the country. According to a 2024 study by the Razumkov Centre, a Ukrainian think-tank, Catholics now make up 12% of the population. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, a denomination loyal to the Vatican, has over 4 million followers in Ukraine and is the country’s largest branch of Catholicism.
**Persecution of Ukrainian Catholics**
Russian authorities have been cracking down on Ukrainian Catholics, with many priests facing harassment and intimidation. Father Oleksandr Bohomaz, who served in Melitopol for nine months, said that during his time under occupation, the authorities stormed church services, collecting fingerprints from worshippers. He was interrogated and deported to the territory under Ukrainian control.
**International Concerns**
The International Religious Freedom and Belief Alliance (IRFBA) has accused Russia of widespread religious persecution in Ukraine. In a February report, IRFBA said that Russian troops had killed 67 clergy of various denominations since the beginning of the invasion, without giving specifics. The alliance also reported that more than 630 religious buildings had been damaged during the Russian occupation.
**A Call for Peace**
Stepan Meniok, a retired bishop, hopes for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. “Many displaced people pass through here, and I’ve heard countless stories of loss: property, lives,” he said. Father Bohomaz echoed this sentiment, saying that Ukrainian Catholics see their people being beaten, killed, robbed, and destroyed, and stand with the people.
**A Testament to Resilience**
The community at the Order of Saint Basil the Great monastery is a testament to the resilience of Ukraine’s Catholic faithful in the face of occupation. Despite the challenges they face, they remain committed to supporting their fellow Ukrainians and standing up against oppression.
