Pratulin martyrs beatification marks 30th anniversary

Religious commemorations were held in Pratulin to mark the 30th anniversary of the beatification of Blessed Wincenty Lewoniuk and his 12 companions, known as the Martyrs of Pratulin. These Uniate martyrs were killed on January 24, 1874, while defending their temple against conversion to Orthodoxy during the era of Tsarist Russian persecution.

During the anniversary ceremonies, Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz emphasized the importance of living for others and courageously defending the Catholic faith in modern contexts, including social media. Bishop Kazimierz Gurda also led a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where pilgrims gathered to honor the martyrs' legacy of remaining united with the Pope despite historical persecutions.

The celebrations included the XVI Diocesan Men's Pilgrimage and the introduction of the martyrs' relics. The historical significance of the group stems from their resistance to the liquidation of the Uniate Church by Russian authorities in the 19th century.