Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
“Our Warrior Heroes Laid the Most Precious Thing on the Altar of Their Homeland — Their Lives,” Cardinal Mykola in Ternopil
August 13, 2026
During his stay in Ternopil, Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok met with the families of fallen and missing defenders of Ukraine. Over the course of two days, the Cardinal prayed together with the families of Ukrainian servicemen and women and had the opportunity to speak personally with those who had lost their loved ones or were still waiting for news of their fate.
On 11 August, at the Pantheon of Heroes at Mykulynetske Cemetery in Ternopil, Bishop Mykola led a memorial service for the fallen defenders of Ukraine. Together with the relatives and loved ones of the fallen soldiers, military personnel, clergy, representatives of the local authorities and residents of the city, they prayed for the repose of those who had given their lives for Ukraine, for their families, and for all those who continue to defend their homeland today.
In his address, Cardinal Mykola spoke about the sacrifice of Ukraine’s defenders and called on those present not to forget those who had given their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine. “Our Warrior Heroes laid the most precious thing on the altar of their homeland — their lives. Today, we have gathered here in great numbers, in a place where generations of Ukrainians come and will continue to come to remember the price of freedom and independence. We look at the photographs of our Heroes, who had their whole lives ahead of them and who, like each of us, had their own dreams, plans and hopes. But when the enemy came to our land, they stood up to defend their homeland. Their sacrifice will remain forever in our memory.”
Bishop Mykola also called for prayers for the fallen defenders, their families and those who continue to defend Ukraine, and to ask God for a lasting and just peace for our country.
At the Pantheon of Heroes, Cardinal Mykola met the mother of one of his former classmates. One of her two sons was killed while defending Ukraine, while the other — Bishop Mykola’s former classmate — has been missing for more than a year.
The following day, 12 August, Bishop Mykola met with the parents, wives and other relatives of missing Ukrainian servicemen and women at the Ukrainian House in Ternopil. The Cardinal addressed those present with words of support and assured them that the Church stands with them during this difficult time. Afterwards, the families had the opportunity to speak with Bishop Mykola, ask questions and share their experiences.
Among those present, Cardinal Mykola also met his former Christian Ethics teacher, whose son is missing. This meeting, like his conversation the previous day with the mother of his former classmate, was yet another reminder that this war has touched each of us and that we all carry within us the wounds it has caused.
