The relics of St. John the Baptist have been brought to the city of Kalush in Ukraine’s Prykarpattia region, where they will be permanently housed at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel. The relics were delivered by Bishop Irenei Bilyk, a papal canon of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Kalush Mayor Andrii Naida announced this.
“From now on, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will permanently house the relics of St. John the Baptist—the prophet who demonstrated unwavering faithfulness to God and became the Forerunner of the Lord. The significance of this event was underscored by the presence of the representative of the Holy See, Bishop Irenei Bilyk, papal canon of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, who brought these holy relics to our community,” Naida wrote.
He described the transfer as a great honor and an invaluable spiritual gift for the city. According to Naida, Kalush is expected to become a destination for pilgrims, prayer, and hope for thousands of people.
“Especially today, when Ukraine is going through its most difficult trials, this holy relic is called to strengthen our spiritual rear, unite people in prayer for our defenders, for peace, and for Ukraine’s victory,” he said.
Naida explained that the relics’ journey to Kalush began two years ago, when a side altar dedicated to the Nativity of St. John the Baptist was built in the church. The idea emerged after the parish clergy realized that the church’s iconography lacked an image of the prophet. The project was made possible with the support of Bogdan Pasichnyi, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine.
A decisive step came when the church’s priest, Father Vasyl Bihun, traveled to Rome and met with Bishop Irenei Bilyk. During the meeting, he asked the bishop to donate a significant relic to the parish.
“At first, no one expected the request to be answered so generously, since such relics are usually entrusted only for temporary veneration,” Naida noted.
Along with the relic, the parish received official documents confirming its authenticity and authorizing its public veneration. These include a papal decree personally signed by Pope Leo XIV and a decree issued by Metropolitan Volodymyr Viytyshyn confirming the authenticity of the relic and blessing its permanent presence in Kalush.
The relics of St. John the Baptist will now be displayed for public veneration once a month. The church will hold prayers for healing and anointing with blessed oil, and visitors will be able to pray before the relics and seek God's protection for themselves, their families, and Ukraine.
Naida also announced the signing of a Spiritual Memorandum of Unity, Prayer, and Hope. The document was signed on behalf of the Kalush community, together with Bishop Irenei Bilyk and Kalush District State Administration Head Zhanna Tabanets.
According to Naida, the memorandum reflects a shared commitment to preserving spiritual values, promoting peace, supporting one another during difficult times, uniting in prayer for Ukraine, and expanding spiritual cooperation. It also opens the way for future educational and humanitarian initiatives, including closer cooperation with Catholic educational institutions of the Holy See to provide Ukrainian youth with greater opportunities for spiritual and intellectual development.
