Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of the UGCC, Drohobych

The Cathedral Church ofthe Holy Trinity (Trinity Church) is a cathedral church of the UGCC in the city of Drohobych, Lviv region; an ancient spiritual center, an example of sacred architecture of the XVII-XIX centuries, a historical and architectural monument of local importance in the Lviv region. The majestic stone church with a complex of church buildings is located in the center of Drohobych, near the town hall, at 2 Truskavetska Street.

The wooden church of the Holy Trinity in Drohobych was built in 1555, not far from the current church. The current church was built in 1690 as a Roman Catholic church, and the adjacent premises were added much later as a monastery of the Carmelite Fathers. Many talented craftsmen were engaged in its painting, creating the iconostasis, and images of saints. The Trinity Church is an architectural monument in the Baroque style. The church is interesting for its unique icons and layout.

In its architectural design, this stone church is cruciform in plan. According to historical data, until 1795 it existed as a Carmelite church, with adjacent premises of the Carmelite monastery built nearby. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, representatives of the Ukrainian community bought the sacred building from the Austrian government along with the adjacent premises in order to establish a Greek Catholic parish and school. The church was then consecrated as the Greek Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity. Subsequently, the monastery complex was under the care of the Basilian Fathers, but continued to be owned by the city. Restoration work was carried out in 1894 and 1905.

In 1909, the famous Ukrainian artist Modest Sosenko painted the church iconostasis, and the carvings were made by Lviv craftsman A. Sabarai. After the Carmelite church was transferred to the Basilians, its baroque decorations were removed, the walls were painted and decorated with icons of saints, two Gothic lancet towers were removed, and two naves were completed. During the Second World War, the blessed new martyrs (priests: Yakym Senkivskyi, Severian Baranyk, and Vitalii Bayrak), who died in Drohobych at the hands of the NKVD, worshipped here. After the Second World War, the church was transferred to the cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Many luminaries of the Ukrainian nation, including the prominent public figure and writer Ivan Franko, prayed and studied within the walls of the church.

With the persecution of the UGCC after the western Ukrainian lands became part of the Ukrainian SSR, the Drohobych Church of the Holy Trinity and its clergy were also harassed. Pastors Severian Baranyk, Yakym Senkivsky, Vitalii Bayrak, Yevhen Nyshchyk, and Pavlo Zhupansky became martyrs to the faith - they were convicted and executed by the NKVD in 1941-1947, and the last two died in Siberian camps.

Only in 1989 was the sacred building returned to the UGCC. The Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, which took place in the Sviatoyuriyivskyy spiritual complex from May 16 to 31, 1992, by its decision established, and on July 12, 1993, the Supreme Archbishop of Lviv, Metropolitan of Halych, Bishop Myroslav-Ivan Lubachivskyy of Kamianets, proclaimed the parish church of the Holy Trinity of Drohobych as the Cathedral of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy. His Grace Bishop Julian (Voronovsky), Auxiliary Bishop of Lviv, Rector of the Theological Seminary of the Holy Spirit in Lviv, became the administrator of the newly created diocese. The Synod of Bishops, which took place in Lviv on February 20-27, 1994, elected Bishop Julian (Voronovsky) as the first Bishop of Sambir-Drohobych.

On the occasion of the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine, the dome was gilded and the exterior walls were renovated. In 2000, the church was completely restored and its walls were painted anew. The mural was done by masters: Serhii Bulko, Ihor Oryshchak, Ihor Leskiv, Yevhen Khrunyk, Stepan Khrunyk, and others. The artists managed to choose the colors of the mural well and preserve the ornaments of the previous painting. Today, one can see an interesting icon "Christ in Power" in the center of which is an image of the King Christ, whose figure is surrounded by a large halo that radiates Light to the entire universe. Christ is sitting on a seat supported by heavenly forces, blessing with his right hand, and holding in his left hand the Book of the Gospel of John, with the commandment of love. Above the throne, on the temple ceiling, the Holy Spirit is depicted in the form of a white dove. At the entrance to the church, under the choirs, there is an icon of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the inscription "Holy Mother of God, save us!".

A visit to the Trinity Church is a must for every tourist who comes to ancient Drohobych. You will be able to immerse yourself in the spiritual and historical atmosphere, as well as get a real aesthetic pleasure from the contemplation of the majestic church.

The Church of the Holy Trinity (formerly the Carmelite Church) in Drohobych is a functioning church, noted for its grandeur and monumentality, is considered an example of sacred architecture of the XVII-XIX centuries, belongs to the diocese of the UGCC and is an architectural monument of local importance. If you walk from Rynok Square, you will pass this cathedral and find your way to the ancient church of St. George and the old saltworks.