In Olyka, Polish Catholics pray with OCU for victims of Volyn tragedy
Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Culture promised to continue exhumation work with Poland, "as these are our common Christian values."
In Olyka, Volyn region, OCU representatives and a delegation from Poland commemorated the victims of the Volyn tragedy. The memorial events took place on July 11 at the old Roman Catholic cemetery, reports Suspilne.Lutsk.
The memorial service was organized by the Lutsk Diocese of the Catholic Church, with OCU representatives and official figures from both countries joining in attendance.
Those present at the cemetery included Poland's Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Ambassador Piotr Łukasiewicz, head of the Institute of National Remembrance Oleksandr Alferov, and approximately 200 people. After the service, participants laid flowers at a memorial cross as a sign of respect for the innocently slain.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized in his speech that he had come to Volyn with "an outstretched hand of peace," to bear witness to the memory of the fallen and to seek forgiveness. Oleksandr Alferov called for dialogue based on Christian values, describing the events of 1943 as a tragedy in which "brother turned against brother."
Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Culture Ivan Verbytsky stressed the importance of continuing exhumation work: "Ukraine and Poland continue their joint work on search and exhumation operations, as these are our common Christian values."
Furthermore, at the initiative of the Institute of National Remembrance, jointly with the OCU, on July 12 separate memorial requiem services for the slain Poles and Ukrainians were appointed in all parishes of the Volyn eparchy of Dumenko's structure.
As the UOJ reported, the OCU consecrated a memorial sign to a UPA commander in Volyn.
