Who Are the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Saints?
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is one of the largest Eastern Catholic communities in the world — a Church born in faith, tested in fire, and shining with the witness of countless saints and martyrs. Rooted in the ancient faith of Kyivan Rus’ and united with Rome for more than four centuries, it stands as a living testament that fidelity and courage can thrive even under persecution.
Ukrainian Catholic spirituality flows from the same Byzantine well that nourishes Orthodox Christianity, but with a distinctive tenderness — a fierce love for both tradition and unity. Its saints come from the golden domes of Kyiv, the monastic caves of Pochaev, and the blood-stained hills of Volhynia. Their stories reveal the heart of a Church that has suffered, endured, and remained radiant in faith.
Among the best known is Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych, a bishop and martyr who gave his life defending the unity of the Church. In the early 1600s, when tensions between Catholics and Orthodox believers were fierce, Josaphat preached reconciliation through love and truth. His murder for the sake of unity turned him into a symbol of what it means to bridge East and West — a man who carried both traditions in his heart. His Saint Josaphat Prayer Card honors a saint who died praying for the very unity Christ Himself desired.
Another towering figure is Saint Job of Pochaev, a humble monk who lived through centuries of turmoil. He defended the faith with prayer, not politics, guiding his monastery through spiritual storms with unshakable peace. His relics still rest at the great Lavra of Pochaev, where pilgrims come to seek strength, healing, and courage to endure their own trials. Holding his prayer card is like holding the quiet endurance of the entire Ukrainian Church.
Saint Olga of Kyiv, known as “Equal to the Apostles,” lived centuries before Josaphat or Job — but her conversion to Christianity in the 10th century laid the foundation for the Christianization of all Ukraine. Once a ruler of vengeance, she became a ruler of grace, choosing the light of Christ over the darkness of revenge. Her legacy prepared the way for her grandson, Saint Volodymyr the Great, to baptize an entire nation. Her story reminds us that even the hardest hearts can be transformed by God’s love.
Together, these saints — the martyr, the monk, and the royal convert — capture the soul of Ukrainian Catholicism: faithful to the ancient Church, courageous under persecution, and radiant with divine hope.
At The Eastern Church, our handmade Ukrainian and Byzantine Catholic Prayer Cards celebrate this deep heritage. Each one is prayerfully designed and crafted in Austin, Texas, honoring the saints who kept faith alive through centuries of hardship. Whether displayed at home, gifted to loved ones, or shared in your parish, these cards help keep the memory of these holy men and women alive.
The story of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is not one of survival alone — it is one of victory. From hidden underground liturgies during Soviet oppression to the thriving parishes across America today, its saints have proven that no empire, no ideology, can silence the Gospel.
Explore our Ukrainian Catholic Saints Prayer Cards to discover their stories, share their prayers, and bring their light into your own faith journey.
