Archeparchy of Lviv
Stored: Archeparchy of Lviv
| Diocese: Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Lviv | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Byzantine |
| Type: | Archeparchy |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Lviv |
| Suffragan Dioceses: | Eparchy of Sambir-Drohobych, Eparchy of Sokal-Zhovkva, Eparchy of Stryi |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Major Archeparchy of Kyiv-Halych |
| Country: | Ukraine |
| Region: | Lviv Oblast |
| Bishop: | Ihor Vozniak |
| Website: | http://www.ugcc.lviv.ua |
| Newspaper: | |
| Catholic Percentage: | 10.0% |
| Catholic Elementary Schools: | 5 |
| Catholic High Schools: | 2 |
| Deaneries: | 15 |
| Priests: | 300 |
| Existence: | 1539– |
| Predecessor Diocese: | |
| Successor Diocese: | Eparchy of Sambir-Drohobych, Eparchy of Sokal-Zhovkva, Eparchy of Stryi |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 1 |
| Rating: | 3.5 |
The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Lviv, a Byzantine Rite Archeparchy, is an active metropolitan see in Ukraine, encompassing the city of Lviv and surrounding districts in Lviv Oblast. Established as an eparchy in 1539 and elevated to an archeparchy in 1807, it is led by Archbishop Ihor Vozniak as of 2005. As the head of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lviv, it oversees three suffragan eparchies and is renowned for its role in preserving Ukrainian Greek Catholic traditions during Soviet suppression. Notably, its St. George’s Cathedral in Lviv, a Baroque-Rococo masterpiece, served as a focal point for the underground Church from 1946 to 1989, symbolizing resilience and faith.
Establishment
The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Lviv was established as an eparchy in 1539, following the re-establishment of the Orthodox Eparchy of Halych by Sigismund I, with its see moved to Lviv. It joined the Union of Brest in 1700 under Bishop Yosyf Shumlyansky, aligning with the Holy See, and was elevated to an archeparchy on 22 February 1807.[1][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Catholic_Archeparchy_of_Lviv)
History
Early Years
Originating as an Orthodox eparchy in the 12th century under the Metropolis of Kiev, the eparchy of Lviv embraced the Union of Brest in 1700, becoming a Greek Catholic see. Under Austrian rule in the 19th century, it flourished as the Metropolis of Galicia, fostering Ukrainian national identity.[2][](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/archeparchy-of-lviv-18/)
Soviet Suppression
From 1946 to 1989, the Soviet regime forcibly merged the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church into the Russian Orthodox Church, driving the Archeparchy of Lviv underground. Archbishop Volodymyr Sternyuk led clandestine operations, preserving the faith until its restoration in 1990.[3][](https://theconversation.com/many-ukrainians-are-fleeing-to-the-greek-catholic-church-in-lviv-which-has-a-long-and-complex-history-in-the-orthodox-faith-198655)
Modern Era
Restored in 1989, the archeparchy regained St. George’s Cathedral in 1990. It lost territory in 1993 and 2004 to establish suffragan eparchies and the Major Archeparchy of Kyiv-Halych, but was re-elevated to a metropolitan see in 2011.[4][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Catholic_Archeparchy_of_Lviv)
Geography
The Archeparchy of Lviv covers the city of Lviv (including Vinnyki, Bryukhovychi, and Rudne) and the districts of:
- Zolochivskyi
- Pustomytivskyi
- Yavorivskyi
It is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lviv under the Major Archeparchy of Kyiv-Halych.[5][](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/archeparchy-of-lviv-18/)
Mother Church
St. George’s Cathedral, Lviv, a Baroque-Rococo structure built between 1744 and 1760, serves as the archeparchy’s mother church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a center of underground worship during Soviet suppression.[6][](https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g295377-d555132-r414894049-Svyatogo_Yura_Cathedral-Lviv_Lviv_Oblast.html)
Leadership
Current Bishop
Archbishop Ihor Vozniak, C.Ss.R., has served since 10 November 2005. A Redemptorist, he previously served as an auxiliary bishop and led the archeparchy’s restoration post-Soviet era.[7][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Catholic_Archeparchy_of_Lviv)
Auxiliary Bishops
- Bishop Volodymyr Hrutsa, C.Ss.R., appointed 14 January 2016, oversees pastoral ministries.[8][](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/archeparchy-of-lviv-18/)
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yosyf Shumlyansky | 1677–1708 | Led the eparchy into the Union of Brest. |
| Andrey Sheptytsky | 1901–1944 | Promoted Ukrainian autonomy; led through wars. |
| Josyf Slipyj | 1944–1984 | Exiled; elevated to cardinal; preserved Church in diaspora. |
| Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky | 1984–2000 | Returned from Rome; restored Church post-Soviet era. |
[9][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Catholic_Archeparchy_of_Lviv)
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The archeparchy is slightly conservative (rating: 3.5), emphasizing traditional Byzantine Rite liturgies with no Traditional Latin Mass, balancing devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help with social outreach for war-displaced persons, and led by an archbishop upholding Ukrainian Catholic identity.[10][](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/archeparchy-of-lviv-18/)
Statistics
The archeparchy covers 1,455 square miles (3,767 km²), serves approximately 450,000 registered Catholics across 350 parishes, and has a total population of 4.5 million.[11][](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/archeparchy-of-lviv-18/)
Religious Communities
Basilian Order
The Basilian Order of Saint Josaphat operates the Basilian Institute of Philosophical and Theological Studies in Bryukhovychi. Address: vul. Shyretska 36, Bryukhovychi, 79491 Lviv Oblast.[12] Basilian Order
Sisters of St. Basil the Great
The Sisters of St. Basil the Great manage educational and charitable programs. Address: vul. Lypynskoho 11, 79000 Lviv.[13] Sisters of St. Basil the Great[](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/archeparchy-of-lviv-18/)
Parishes
| Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Lviv |
|---|
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No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
No results The Archeparchy of Lviv serves 350 parishes across 15 deaneries, covering urban and rural areas of Lviv Oblast, with a strong emphasis on Byzantine Rite traditions and community resilience.[14][](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/archeparchy-of-lviv-18/)
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The archeparchy manages 7 schools:
| School Name | City | Type | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lviv Theological Seminary | Lviv | Seminary | Lviv Theological Seminary |
| Ukrainian Catholic University | Lviv | University | Ukrainian Catholic University |
[15][](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/archeparchy-of-lviv-18/)
Community Outreach
The archeparchy supports war refugees and displaced persons through programs coordinated by Caritas Lviv, aiding 10,000 people annually.[16]
Notable Events or Figures
In 2001, Pope John Paul II visited Lviv, addressing youth at St. George’s Cathedral and drawing 1.5 million attendees. Andrey Sheptytsky, Metropolitan from 1901 to 1944, was a key figure in promoting Ukrainian national identity.[17][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Lviv)
References
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlvuk.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". https://ugcc.ua/struktura-ta-sklad/arkhyeparkhiyi-ta-ekzarkhaty/arkhyeparkhiya-lvova/. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church History". https://www.theconversation.com/many-ukrainians-are-fleeing-to-the-greek-catholic-church-in-lviv-which-has-a-long-and-complex-history-in-the-orthodox-faith-176819. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlvuk.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". https://ugcc.ua/struktura-ta-sklad/arkhyeparkhiyi-ta-ekzarkhaty/arkhyeparkhiya-lvova/. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Svyatogo Yura Cathedral". https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g295377-d524013-Reviews-Svyatogo_Yura_Cathedral-Lviv_Lviv_Oblast.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archbishop Ihor Vozniak". http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bvoz.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". https://ugcc.ua/struktura-ta-sklad/arkhyeparkhiyi-ta-ekzarkhaty/arkhyeparkhiya-lvova/. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlvuk.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". https://ugcc.ua/struktura-ta-sklad/arkhyeparkhiyi-ta-ekzarkhaty/arkhyeparkhiya-lvova/. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". https://ugcc.ua/struktura-ta-sklad/arkhyeparkhiyi-ta-ekzarkhaty/arkhyeparkhiya-lvova/. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Basilian Order". https://osbm.in.ua. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". https://ugcc.ua/struktura-ta-sklad/arkhyeparkhiyi-ta-ekzarkhaty/arkhyeparkhiya-lvova/. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". https://ugcc.ua/struktura-ta-sklad/arkhyeparkhiyi-ta-ekzarkhaty/arkhyeparkhiya-lvova/. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archeparchy of Lviv". https://ugcc.ua/struktura-ta-sklad/arkhyeparkhiyi-ta-ekzarkhaty/arkhyeparkhiya-lvova/. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Caritas Lviv". https://caritas.lviv.ua. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Papal Address in Lviv". https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/travels/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20010625_ukraine-youth-lviv.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.