Blessed Ivan Ziatyk

Biography

Blessed Ivan Ziatyk, also known as Ivano, John, or Johannes, was a Greek Catholic clergyman and a martyr who dedicated his life to serving God and the Ukrainian people. He was born on 26 December 1899 in Odrekhiv, present-day Poland, and grew up in a devout Catholic family.

After completing his high school education in 1919, Ivan Ziatyk pursued his passion for theology and obtained a degree in the subject in 1923. The same year, he was ordained as a priest and embarked on a mission to spread the word of God and educate others about their faith.

From 1925 to 1935, Father Ziatyk taught catechism and theology to students at the seminary in Peremysyl, Poland. He also served as the prefect of students during this time, shaping the lives of future priests and guiding them in their spiritual journeys.

In 1935, Father Ziatyk joined the Redemptorists, a religious congregation dedicated to preaching and missions. His abilities as a preacher quickly gained recognition when he was stationed in Lviv, where his passionate sermons touched the hearts and souls of the faithful.

During the dark period of the Nazi occupation, Father Ziatyk served as the prior of the Redemptorist monastery in Ternopil. Despite the constant danger and persecution faced by the Ukrainian people, he remained steadfast in his commitment to his faith, providing solace and support to all who sought it.

After the arrest or expulsion of many of his superiors, Father Ziatyk assumed the role of Vicar General of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, taking on the responsibility of guiding the church in a time of great turmoil and uncertainty.

On 5 January 1950, Father Ziatyk was arrested by the communist regime for his unwavering faith, his powerful preaching, and his affiliation with the Redemptorists. He was unjustly imprisoned in Zolochiv, where he endured regular torture and severe beatings, yet his spirit remained unbroken.

Later, Father Ziatyk was exiled to Ozerlah in Irkhutsk, Russia, where he continued to suffer physical and emotional abuse. On Easter Sunday, 17 May 1952, he succumbed to the injuries he sustained in a brutal beating three days earlier. He was laid to rest at Ozerlah, far from his homeland.

In recognition of his steadfast faith and sacrifice, Blessed Ivan Ziatyk was venerated on 24 April 2001 by Pope John Paul II, who declared him a martyr. On 27 June 2001, Pope John Paul II beatified him in Ukraine, acknowledging his martyrdom and elevating him to a blessed status.

Today, Blessed Ivan Ziatyk is remembered as a courageous and devoted priest who fearlessly preached the word of God, even in the face of persecution. His feast days are celebrated on 17 May and 27 June, as one of the Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe. Some calendars also commemorate him on 2 April.

The life of Blessed Ivan Ziatyk serves as an inspiration to all, demonstrating the strength of faith and the power of unwavering dedication to the service of God and the Church, even in the most challenging of circumstances.