In the precious and historical monastery of the Exaltation of the Cross, in Buchach, the Basilian priests have also provided refuge for internally displaced people. For centuries, this institution, some 50 miles outside Kyiv, has been at the center of the life of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine.

This school is one of the places where the Ukrainian Greek Catholic archdiocese has been housing the newly arrived refugees. Sofia’s father stayed behind in Brovary to defend his house and his country. Despite the danger, he feels a little more at peace knowing that his family is safe.

“The diocesan curia team with priests, nuns and lay persons has delivered water, food, and medication to different places, where it was needed and possible to reach. The diocesan staff also helps in evacuating people from dangerous places,”

"Then they shot the five of us in the head at the same time. Laying there, I could hear them saying, mu kai gawan su a church, saba da susani bamu wasa! (“Let’s take the dead bodies to church so that they will take us very seriously!”).

" God has a plan of peace and salvation for all peoples of the earth. He wants to save us from evil and give us new hope. For this, we must open our hearts to Him, turn to Him with trust, follow His commandments and let ourselves be transformed by His love."

"The cathedral in Shkoder was turned into a sports hall, and the cathedral in Durres was used as a puppet theatre. This persecution was almost unknown internationally, but it was one of the fiercest in Europe."