On February 20, St Andrew’s church hosted a presentation of the third edition of the Unified Ukrainian Translation of the New Testament. The event brought together clergy, translators, scholars, civil servants, academics, and believers, marking an important milestone in the history of the Ukrainian translation of the Holy Scripture.
The presentation was led by the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine, Bishop Michael (Anishchenko) of Koman, who emphasized the special significance of the event, which symbolically coincided with the 10th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The bishop stressed that the publication, which presents the text of the Word of God in Ukrainian, serves as an act of spiritual resilience and testimony to the indomitability of the Ukrainian nation, reports the Mission “Stauropegium of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine”.
“Today, on the day when we remember the start of the tragic events of 10 years ago, we are happy to present the third edition of the Unifying Ukrainian Translation,” Bishop Michael noted. “We present this text as spiritual support, as the Word of God, which speaks to the hearts of Ukrainians in their native language. We rejoice that we can read and learn God in our language.”
Bishop Michael spoke about the roots of the translation, stemming back to 2012, when an initiative group, with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan), began this important work. “It was a seed sown with faith and hope, which sprouted after years of hard work,” the bishop emphasized.
The fact was also highlighted that many church people who deeply understand and feel the Holy Scriptures were involved in the translation.
“These people tried their best, these people did it in a church environment. That is, these are not just scholars who are not related to the church. These people really read the New Testament on a daily basis, live by it every day, one might say,” noted Bishop Michael said.
The first two editions of the translation were intended for liturgical use, while the new one was designed for personal, home use.
Bishop Michael told the amazing story of the edition’s conception. The inspiration for the large-print edition came from one believer’s desire to help his mother be able to read the Holy Scriptures. It is thanks to the person’s anonymous donation, as well as support from Father Bohdan Gulyamov, that the edition saw life.
It is important that His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew blessed the publication of the translation. Bishop Michael emphasized that everyone who reads the edition will have a blessing from the Ecumenical Patriarch. While in Istanbul at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Bishop Michael presented this modern edition of the New Testament in Ukrainian to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Due to the limited volume of the printed version, thanks to the support from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA, a print-ready electronic version in PDF format will be made freely available and distributed. “Every Ukrainian anywhere across the world will be able to freely download and use this translation,” Bishop Michael stressed.
Also, for free use and download, the Stauropegium has created an ePub version for use on portable gadgets.
Other members of the translation team and guests also took floor during the presentation. Maksym Biletsky, one of the translators, shared his experience working on the edition, highlighting the importance of creating a separate website for the publication.
The international platform of the International Bible Society, ParaText, was used in working on the draft. A special website has been set up with information about the publication and a forum for discussing the translation. Anyone who wishes is free to participate in improving the text by sending comments and suggestions.
Metropolitan Oleksandr of Pereyaslavl and Vyshneve noted the renewal of the initiative of translating the Holy Scriptures by Bishop Michael and recalled the blessing of His Beatitude Volodymyr on the translations of the Holy Scriptures and the editions published by the Foundation of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr. He noted that all editions of the United Ukrainian Translation today “adorn not only the shelves, but also our minds and hearts”.
The auxiliary bishop Yosyf (Milian) of the Kyiv Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church noted the importance of a high-quality Ukrainian-language translation of the New Testament for the spiritual growth of Ukrainians.
The first vice-rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, Archpriest Serhiy Yushchyk, praised the uniqueness of the publication, which had received approval during divine services, and its importance for home use.
“The edition is unique in being first tested during divine services. It was not just placed on the altar, but the texts laid down there were accompanied by Christian sermons. And only then was it amended for home use. This is an incredibly right path,” emphasized Fr. Serhiy.
Priest Viktor Martynenko of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church noted the convenience and easy flow of the text.
Ilya Bohdashevsky, representative from the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, expressed gratitude to the translators for their effort and emphasized the importance of the Ukrainian-language Holy Scripture for Ukraine.
In response to a question about cooperation with the Ukrainian Bible Society, Bishop Michael confirmed the use of the society’s platform in translation work.
Wrapping up the presentation, Bishop Michael called on everyone to spread the Word of God, emphasizing free access to the electronic version of the New Testament.
Photos by the Stauropegium of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine
