Bilky: In a deeply moving ceremony on the morning of September 27, the Byzantine Rite priest Pietro Paolo Oros was officially beatified in Bilky, Ukraine, nearly 72 years after his martyrdom under the communist regime. Killed in 1953 at the age of just 36, Oros was recognized as a witness to faith, charity, and unity, whose life and death continue to inspire the faithful in a world riven by divisions and conflict.
Representing Pope Leo XIV at the beatification, Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Archbishop of Łódź, described the new Blessed as a “bridge” in a fractured world. “In today’s world, torn apart by terrible wars, more divided than ever before, where people have lost the ability to truly meet one another and suffer from deep loneliness, we need people of genuine encounter and communion, like Father Pietro Paolo Oros,” Cardinal Ryś said.
The beatification, long delayed due to both the war in Ukraine and the death of Pope Francis, was also referenced by Pope Leo XIV during the Jubilee audience in St. Peter’s Square, underscoring the universal significance of Oros’s witness.
Cardinal Ryś reflected on the extraordinary life of Father Oros, emphasizing that martyrdom was not only his death but the essence of his daily living. Known for his deep spirituality, Oros’s knees were described as “hardened like soles from so much prayer.” He was killed while carrying the Blessed Sacrament to a sick person a vivid testament to his devotion and humility.
“He did not teach through written words, but through his life, through his example,” the Cardinal noted. Despite the absence of surviving homilies or catecheses, Oros’s acts of goodness and charity left a lasting imprint on all who knew him. In his simple rectories, furnished only with a table and a few chairs, he gave away everything he received, blending poverty and charity seamlessly. He believed that those in need should always receive the best, the new, reflecting a profound understanding of human dignity and divine service.
The beatification held particular resonance for Ukrainians, many of whom have endured years of aggression, displacement, and loss. Cardinal Ryś addressed the faithful directly: “You, who have lost not only your homes and possessions, but also what is priceless the lives and health of your loved ones and yourselves right now, Blessed Father Pietro tells you: ‘Be merciful!’”
Oros’s life embodied mercy and service, urging the faithful to prioritize compassion even in the face of suffering a message of radical Christian witness in times of adversity.
The Cardinal highlighted Oros’s unique role as a bridge between Eastern and Western Christianity, emphasizing his ability to unite diverse communities. “We all need bridges,” he said, “but we also know that in times of war, bridges are always the first to be bombed. To be a ‘bridge’ means to be someone who unites, not divides someone who turns swords into ploughshares, weapons into tools for shared work.”
Father Pietro Paolo Oros’s openness extended beyond denominational lines; he was remembered for speaking a common language with Latin and Byzantine Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and even atheists, demonstrating an inclusive vision of faith that transcended ideological boundaries.
The beatification was preceded on September 26 by a pilgrimage of approximately one thousand young people, who walked to Bilky in anticipation of the ceremony. The Divine Liturgy, presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Nil Yuriy Lushchak, a Franciscan of the Byzantine Rite Eparchy of Mukachevo, became both a celebration of Oros’s life and a reminder of the countless priests who, like him, were persecuted, tortured, or died in prison under the communist regime.
Cardinal Ryś concluded that the life and martyrdom of Blessed Pietro Paolo Oros offer a radical and powerful example of love and faith, teaching that true Christian witness involves not only words but courageous action, even unto death. His beatification serves as an inspiration for Ukrainians and the wider Church, emphasizing mercy, charity, and the pursuit of unity in a world too often torn apart by conflict.
The ceremony in Bilky not only recognized Oros’s sanctity but also reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to honoring those who live and die as witnesses of communion, hope, and divine love values essential for a world seeking healing and reconciliation.