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Alexey ZaritskiyGreek Catholic priest
Date of Birth: 17.10.1912
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Content:
- Life and Ministry of Blessed Oleksiy Zarytskyy
- Persecution and Imprisonment
- Missionary Work in Kazakhstan
- Second Arrest and Death
- Beatification and Legacy
Life and Ministry of Blessed Oleksiy Zarytskyy
Early Life and PriesthoodBorn in Ukraine, Oleksiy Zarytskyy embarked on his spiritual journey by entering the Lviv Archdiocese Seminary in 1931. In 1936, Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytskyy ordained him into the priesthood.
Persecution and Imprisonment
The onset of Soviet repression led to Zarytskyy's arrest in 1948, where he was subjected to a sentence of 10 years of imprisonment. He endured harsh labor camps in Eastern Siberia and Mordovia before his release on December 31, 1954.
Missionary Work in Kazakhstan
Despite his exile to Kazakhstan, Zarytskyy continued his missionary work among Catholics of both Byzantine and Latin traditions, including in the Volga region. Appointed as Apostolic Administrator for Kazakhstan and Siberia by Metropolitan Josyf Slipyj, he became a beacon of faith in the face of adversity.
Second Arrest and Death
In 1962, Zarytskyy was arrested again and sentenced to two years of imprisonment. Tragically, he passed away in the Dolinka camp near Karaganda on October 30, 1963, from gastritis and a hypertensive crisis.
Beatification and Legacy
Pope John Paul II beatified Zarytskyy in 2001 during his visit to Ukraine, recognizing him as a member of the Blessed. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Karaganda honors his memory with a chapel dedicated to the martyr-priest. His remains were eventually reburied in the cemetery of Ryasna Ruska, Lviv Oblast.
