ADVERTISING
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Germany celebrates a church service and invites people to a meeting.
As the Catholic parish of St. Joseph announces, a special guest is expected in Darmstadt-Eberstadt Sunday, December 21, 2025 Bishop Dr. Bohdan Dzyurakh Divine Liturgy together with the Ukrainian community of St. Joseph and St. George , the participating parishes in the Darmstadt Southeast pastoral region , and all interested parties are invited
Church service and fellowship at St. Joseph's
The visit begins at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Darmstadt-Eberstadt (entrances: Schwanenstraße 54, accessible, and Gabelsbergerstraße 17). Following the liturgy, children from the Ukrainian Saturday school perform. Afterwards, there will be a reception in the parish hall, offering an opportunity for fellowship and personal conversation.
Several hundred believers are expected from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic communities in Mainz, Bad Homburg, Offenbach, Hanau and Darmstadt
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic community in Darmstadt
Pastor Michael Oros oversees a total of five parishes with around 500 members. In Darmstadt, the parish has found a permanent spiritual home at St. Joseph's Church. Approximately 60 parishioners gather here twice a month on Sundays at 3 p.m. for the liturgy.
The Byzantine rite differs significantly from the Roman Catholic liturgy:
- The priest celebrates facing the altar .
- The musical arrangements are performed by a choir , not the organ.
- The liturgy is more extensive and lasts longer.
- Communion is administered under both kinds (bread and wine).
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) belongs to the Eastern Catholic Churches, is in full communion with Rome, and recognizes the Pope as the head of the universal Church. It has approximately six million members , predominantly in western Ukraine. More than one million Ukrainians live in Germany; an estimated 250,000 of them belong to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Pastoral care for a community in a state of emergency
Pastor Oros came to Germany after the start of the Russian war of aggression. He lives in Mainz with his wife and four children and serves a large parish area from there.
Greek Catholic priests are allowed to marry before ordination; this is no longer possible after ordination. His wife is actively involved in parish work and assists him with church services, baptisms, weddings, and pastoral duties.
Many people in the community are severely burdened by war, displacement, and worry for loved ones. Pastor Oros supports them through conversation, prayer, and fellowship. His greatest wish remains that the war ends and peace can return.
(Eberstadt - Red/PM)
