WCC INTERVIEW: Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: Churches in Ukraine are united in commitment to peace

Head of the of the Reformed Church in Trans-Carpathia for more than 20 years, Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián has recently been appointed chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. The WCC invited him for an interview to learn more about what unites churches in Ukraine, and how the world can support churches and people of Ukraine affected by the ongoing war. Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián of the Trans-Carpathian Reformed Church speaks during the meeting of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 14 April 2026. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine, www.president.gov.ua 05 May 2026 As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has entered its fifth year, hundreds of drones and missiles are targeting Ukrainian cities daily, not ceasing even during the days of Easter celebrations. How the war is affecting churches and church communities?  Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: I would like to distinguish between two groups: religious communities in the war-affected regions and those in the rear. Let me begin with the latter. Church communities in the rear have experienced a decline in membership; at the same time, there has been a notable strengthening of solidarity, particularly in assisting displaced persons and supporting those engaged in military service. Within Orthodox communities, some tensions have emerged, with past ties to Moscow now often perceived as a disadvantage. In the war zones, according to publicly available information, Russian forces do not tolerate Christian denominations, individuals under the jurisdiction of the Kyiv-based Orthodox leadership, or their activities in occupied territories. Religious buildings are widely destroyed, and Orthodox churches are no exception. In many places, communities have been nearly eradicated. A significant portion of religious infrastructure has been completely devastated. What unites all Christian communities and other religious organizations, is the shared longing for an end to the war, and a commitment to prayer for peace. This common prayer for peace brings unity in the protection of human life and creation. Amidst all the violence and suffering, how do you keep your faith alive? Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: Prolonged suffering and vulnerability prompt people to ask profound questions: why is this happening to us? Disillusionment with worldly powers, failed attempts to end the war, and shortcomings of political leadership have led many to turn toward God. In grief and hardship, people are increasingly drawn to prayer.  We ourselves have come to experience that our faith and hope ultimately rest in God alone. As we often say today: it is not we who sustain faith, but faith that sustains us. How important is the unity among churches in Ukraine today? What unites churches in Ukraine? Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: Unity among church communities is of great importance. One of the key pillars of Ukraine’s resilience lies in tolerance among churches and believers, the shared desire for peace, and respect for the value of human life. Religious freedom experienced in recent decades is a fundamental value that all denominations seek to preserve and continue to uphold. Despite our differences, this freedom binds us together. Meeting of the members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 14 April 2026. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine, www.president.gov.ua Few months ago you were appointed as a chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. What are your plans, and what do you see as the main tasks at the moment? Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: Among our responsibilities, I consider it especially important to highlight significant public events. One such example is the National Day of Prayer, during which supporters of Ukraine and members of parliament joins together in prayer—for peace, for the safety of those serving in the armed forces, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the comfort of widows and orphans.  Maintaining dialogue with the Presidential Office is also vital for strengthening the faithful in Ukraine. Communication between state institutions and religious communities is of great value, and I believe that this high-level cooperation should continue in the future, ensuring that the spiritual mission and social engagement of churches receive due recognition. At the same time, I consider the most important work to be that which often remains unseen: daily spiritual and social service. This includes supporting severely wounded soldiers, assisting their families, and caring for orphaned children and widows who depend on public support and on the solidarity of religious communities. Looking ahead, I also see the need for legislative initiatives that, following the end of the war, will ensure fair opportunities for war veterans with disabilities and for families who have lost loved ones. What are the most important ways churches and Christians can support people and churches of Ukraine? Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: On a spiritual level, I regard prayer as essential. Those who pray learn to value peace, strive to preserve it where it exists, and actively work to create it. This calling is reflected in the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”  There are many ways to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and each form of support is meaningful. For example, churches and Christians worldwide can contribute through programs that provide access to prosthetics or by establishing funds to support the education of orphaned or partially orphaned children. These needs are not only post-war concerns; they have been urgent throughout the past years and remain so today. In the future, the restoration and reconstruction of religious buildings will also pose a major challenge for all churches in Ukraine. We are grateful for your continued prayers and for both spiritual and material support. I sincerely hope that peace will soon be restored in Ukraine, in Russia, and among all nations in conflict. May compassion grow in the world, and may indifference and injustice diminish. May Almighty God hear our prayers and, through His creative power, bring peace where it is most needed. “We want to do everything possible so that the world will not forget Ukraine” (WCC news release, 21 April 2026) Learn more about the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián of the Trans-Carpathian Reformed Church in Ukraine, chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Photo: Trans-Carpathian Reformed Church See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland