On 23 January 2026, a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation took place between the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) and the National Defense University of Ukraine. The agreement establishes a framework for systematic collaboration in training military chaplains, including participation from the Ukrainian Catholic University and the Kyiv Three Holy Hierarchs Spiritual Seminary.

The Memorandum was signed by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Head of the UGCC; Colonel General Mykhailo Koval, Head of the National Defense University of Ukraine; and Father Roman Ostrovskyi, Rector of the Kyiv Three Holy Hierarchs Spiritual Seminary.

Representing the UGCC at the event were Bishop Bohdan Manyshyn, Head of the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC, and Father Rostyslav Vysochan, Head of the Department for Interaction with Religious Organizations and Deputy Head of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Also present was Colonel Oleksandr Vovkotecha, Head of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The signed document marks a new chapter in collaboration between the UGCC—including the Ukrainian Catholic University and the Kyiv Three Holy Hierarchs Spiritual Seminary—and the National Defense University of Ukraine. The Memorandum foresees the creation of a unique educational environment for future military chaplains, who will train alongside service members and develop the competencies needed for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

At the start of the meeting, Colonel General Mykhailo Koval briefed UGCC representatives on the structure of the National Defense University, its staffing potential, educational programs, and the specifics of its educational activities.

Addressing the university leadership, His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed deep gratitude and respect, sharing profound personal and strategic reflections on the experience of war and the future of cooperation.

According to him, Ukraine and its armed forces have gained unique experience during the years of full-scale invasion—experience that must be understood and preserved.

The Head of the UGCC also emphasized the central role of military chaplaincy in supporting human dignity and spiritual resilience. He underlined that chaplains should be highly qualified professionals, trained according to modern doctrines of military chaplaincy.

Colonel General Koval confirmed the readiness of the National Defense University to provide general military training for chaplains at all levels—tactical, operational, and strategic.

After discussions, the parties signed the Memorandum and exchanged commemorative gifts, affirming their commitment to long-term partnership in developing military chaplaincy and strengthening the spiritual resilience of Ukrainian forces.

Following the signing, His Beatitude Sviatoslav delivered a lecture to the university’s academic council, faculty, students, and cadets on “Spiritual Resilience and Christian Perfection: Being a Christian in Wartime.” In his address, he described spiritual resilience as the ability to preserve one’s humanity, highlighting the importance of inner choice as the foundation of true resilience.

Department of Information of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church​​​​​​​