A Meeting Dedicated to Andrey Sheptytskyi at TNMU

On November 7, 2024, Ternopil National Medical University students, faculty, and staff attended a meeting with Mykhailo Perun, Director of the “Andrey” Foundation and Associate Professor of the Theology Department at the Ukrainian Catholic University. They watched the documentary “Andrey Sheptytsky: Relevant” (directed by Stanislav Kozak and written by Tetyana Kuzminchuk).

At the event’s opening, TNMU Rector Professor Mykhailo Korda welcomed Bishop Teodor Martyniuk on his appointment as head of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archdiocese of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC). “We are confident that under your leadership, the Ternopil-Zboriv Archdiocese of the UGCC will uphold the traditions of the Christian faith, support the Ukrainian people, inspire faith in the triumph of good over evil, and in a better future,” noted Mykhailo Korda.

The university’s leader expressed his gratitude to everyone in attendance, acknowledging the value of the thematic meeting aimed at a deeper understanding of the renowned Ukrainian figure and spiritual leader of our nation, Andrey Sheptytskyi.

Bishop Teodor Martyniuk highlighted that honoring prominent Ukrainians strengthens national consciousness and unifies the nation.

Appreciating the warm welcome, Mykhailo Perun gifted Mykhailo Korda the book “On the Rock of Faith: Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytskyi.”

The documentary “Andrey Sheptytskyi: Relevant” was created to mark the 155th anniversary of the Metropolitan’s birth. It provides a historical look at four significant aspects of Sheptytskyi’s work.

“This is a film for people living in the 21st century,” noted Mykhailo Perun during the meeting. “Metropolitan Andrey had a unique trait—systematic thinking—that enabled him to turn initial project ideas into something greater. His lifetime spanned the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Poland, and two Soviet occupations—a period when Ukraine lacked statehood. As a spiritual leader, Metropolitan Andrey nurtured and developed the UGCC, cared for many other areas of social life, and performed his social service.”

The film’s creator also added that Ukrainians still know too little about Andrey Sheptytskyi and his contributions, as Soviet authorities destroyed anything related to the UGCC, publishing only materials aimed at discrediting both Sheptytskyi and the UGCC. It’s difficult to imagine that someone confined to a chair for the last 15 years of his life managed to achieve so much for Ukraine in those challenging times.