Blessed Mykola Tsehelskyi

Biography

Blessed Mykola Tsehelskyi, also known as Mykola Cehelskyj or Nicholas Tsehelsky, was a Greek Catholic martyr who dedicated his life to the service of God and the Ukrainian community. He was born on December 17, 1896, in Strusiv, Ternopil District, Ukraine.

Mykola Tsehelskyi pursued his theological studies at the University of Lviv, Ukraine, and graduated in 1923. Following his education, he married and became a father of two sons and two daughters.

Inspired by his faith and desire to serve the Church, Mykola Tsehelskyi was ordained as a priest on April 5, 1925. He began his ministry as a parish priest in Soroka, Hrymailivsk deanery, where he was instrumental in the construction of a new church. His dedication to his community and his ability to bring people closer to God earned him great respect and admiration.

Later, Mykola Tsehelskyi was appointed as the pastor of the Archeparchy of Lviv for the Ukrainians, where he continued to provide spiritual guidance and support to the faithful. However, his unwavering commitment to his faith and refusal to compromise under the Soviet regime attracted the attention of the authorities.

After World War II, Soviet authorities began to target religious leaders, including Mykola Tsehelskyi. He faced intimidation, threats, and physical assaults for his unwavering faith and refusal to submit to the oppressive regime. Despite the persecution, he remained strong in his convictions.

On October 28, 1946, Mykola Tsehelskyi was arrested for his faith. Following a trial, he was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment on January 27, 1947. He was then sent to the forced labor camps in Mordovia, Russia. His time in prison was marked by suffering and hardships, but he maintained his faith and continued to provide spiritual guidance to his fellow prisoners.

Tragically, on May 25, 1951, Blessed Mykola Tsehelskyi passed away while still incarcerated at the forced labor camp in Mordovia. He was buried there, a testament to his commitment to his faith even in the face of extreme adversity.

Blessed Mykola Tsehelskyi was recognized for his martyrdom, and on April 24, 2001, Pope John Paul II declared the decree of martyrdom, officially recognizing him as a martyr of the faith. On June 27 of the same year, Pope John Paul II celebrated his beatification ceremony in Ukraine, honoring Blessed Mykola Tsehelskyi and his sacrifice.

As one of the Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe, Blessed Mykola Tsehelskyi is venerated and remembered on May 25 and June 27. His life serves as an inspiration to countless individuals, exemplifying the courage and steadfastness of those who refused to abandon their faith in the face of persecution.