Ukrainian Catholic Major Archeparchy of Kyiv-Halych

The Major Archeparchy of Kyiv-Halych is the only major archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The cathedral church, the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, is presently under construction in Kyiv.

The ecclesiastical province dates back to the 10th century when a Metropolia was established, by the Patriarch of Constantinople then still before the Great Eastern Schism, after the conversion of the Grand Duke of Kyiv St. Volodymyr the Great in 988.

After the Mongol invasion which devastated Kyiv during the 13th century a second Metropolia was established in Halych in 1303 by the efforts of King Leo I of Halych and later his son George. It existed during most of 14th century but remained vacant since 1401 as the Metropolitan of Kyiv took over the title.

During the 15th century the Metropolitans worked together with the Patriarch of Constantinople to reestablish Christian Unity and in 1439 participated in the Union of Florence. In 1596 the Metropolia entered the Union of Brest, reestablishing full communion with the Holy See, however suffering a deep internal split.

Following the Partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth at the end of the 18th century most of the Ruthenian (modern Belarusian and Ukrainian) lands fell under Russian rule, where the Greek Catholic Church was gradually suppressed by 1839. Nevertheless, the Church survived in Austrian ruled Halychyna, where the Metropolia of Halych was reestablished, with prerogatives to administer the...
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