Ukraine Returns St. Nicholas Cathedral to Catholic Community | Shalom World News
In a historically significant move, Ukraine has handed over Kyiv’s St. Nicholas Cathedral to the Roman Catholic community for their use for the next 50 years. This Neo-Gothic masterpiece belonged to the Catholic community until it was closed down and converted into a concert venue under Soviet rule. The announcement of the transfer came on the Feast of the Epiphany, marked by prayers and a Holy Mass at the church attended by senior Ukrainian officials, clergy, and members of the faithful. The cathedral, a protected national heritage site, has endured wartime damage, Soviet-era repression, and most recently the effects of a Russian missile strike nearby during the invasion of Ukraine. Government officials said the decision restores the building’s original purpose as a place of worship while maintaining state ownership and heritage protections.