On June 6, 2025, in Kyiv, members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO), under the chairmanship of Bishop Valerii Antoniuk, met with a delegation of the United Bible Societies (UBS) led by its General Secretary Dirk Gevers. The meeting took place at the Bible House of the Ukrainian Bible Society (UBS Ukraine).
Ukrainian religious leaders briefed the UBS delegation on the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s military aggression, the role of churches and religious organizations during wartime, the state of religious freedom in Ukraine, and the religious persecution in the temporarily occupied territories. They emphasized the vital importance of spreading God’s Word across Ukrainian society and among the military, and the need for a just peace for Ukraine.
Key points raised by UCCRO members included:
- The war that Ukraine is fighting is existential in nature — a war for independence, survival, life, freedom of religion, and other fundamental liberties.
- Spreading the Word of God is a critical aspect of strengthening the Ukrainian people and its defenders in times of trial. The Ukrainian Bible Society's distribution of over 400,000 Bibles in 2024, supported by Bible Societies worldwide, deserves continued support.
- Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 14 million Ukrainians — about 30% of the population — have been displaced. According to the UN, 6 million are internally displaced and 6.5 million are refugees abroad.
- The humanitarian situation remains dire: 5 million people are in need of food assistance, and 4 million have lost their homes with nowhere to return.
- As a result of Russian military aggression, Ukraine is experiencing the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. Thanks to the combined efforts of Ukrainian churches, the international community, and the Ukrainian government, this crisis has not escalated into a broader catastrophe.
- Despite the war, religious freedom is upheld in Ukraine. Churches and religious organizations are free to practice their faith and are actively engaged in humanitarian and social work.
- In contrast, the temporarily occupied territories face severe religious persecution: unlawful arrests and imprisonment of clergy from various denominations, seizure and repurposing of religious buildings by Russian forces, closure of churches and prayer houses, and total control over religious life. More than 650 churches and religious buildings across Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged due to Russian shelling.
- Although many Russians claim to be Christian, the overwhelming support from Russian churches for violence, the killing of Ukrainians, and acts of genocide contradicts the Gospel and basic moral principles.
- Russia and its “agents of influence” in various countries are spreading false narratives about the war, including claims of "religious persecution" and "oppression" in Ukraine. Combating Russian propaganda is a shared priority.
- Any peace agreement must not discriminate against Ukraine; otherwise, it will only pave the way for future conflicts. Peace must be just toward Ukraine, the victim of aggression. Ukraine seeks an end to the war and longs for a just and lasting peace.
Ukrainian church leaders expressed gratitude to UBS for its support in translating, printing, and distributing Bibles in various formats across Ukraine, as well as for assisting with humanitarian and social initiatives during the war.
General Secretary Dirk Gevers and other UBS delegates noted that this visit to Kyiv — the first official UBS visit since Ukraine’s independence — was an act of solidarity with Ukraine, its churches, and its people. The goal was to better understand the country’s pressing needs and strengthen cooperation with Ukrainian churches.
The UBS delegation personally witnessed a Russian missile and drone attack during the night of June 6, which struck Kyiv and other cities, killing seven people, injuring dozens (including children), and destroying residential buildings.
Dirk Gevers assured the Council that Bible Societies around the world are praying for Ukraine and actively sharing accurate information received from Ukrainian partners.
The two sides agreed on further practical steps for cooperation in support of Ukraine and exchanged commemorative gifts.
UBS Delegation: Dirk Gevers – General Secretary, Chris Egitto – International Director, Bernt Greger Olsen – Director of International Mission, Kari Fure – Head of Bible Mission, Georgios Sochos – Head of European Member Engagement.
Ukrainian Participants: Bishop Valerii Antoniuk – Chair of UCCRO, Head of the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk – Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi – Deputy Head of the Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops of Ukraine, Bishop Anatoliy Kozachok – Senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church, Oleksandr Babiychuk – General Secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Society, Anatoliy Raichynets – Deputy General Secretary of UBS Ukraine, Archpriest Oleksa Petriv – Head of the Department for External Relations of the UGCC in Ukraine, Pastor Volodymyr Kondor – Executive Secretary of the Baptist Union, Oleksandr Zaiets – Chairman of the Board of the Institute for Religious Freedom.
Background
The United Bible Societies (UBS) is a global, interdenominational fellowship of around 150 Bible Societies operating in over 240 countries and territories. Its mission is to make the Bible available to everyone and to help people engage with its message in ways that are meaningful and relevant. UBS is actively involved in pastoral care, trauma healing, literacy, and social ministry.