During the Second World War in Poland, pseudo-military groups were formed who were under the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, with the aim of cleansing the Orthodox flock of Poland. These ethnic and religious purges took place during the night in all the villages of Eastern Poland. Thousands of people were executed, either because they were Ukrainian citizens (about 12,000), or because they were Orthodox (about 1,200 Martyrs). On June 8, 2003, the Polish Orthodox Church, by its Synodal Decision, canonized seven clergymen, Protopresbyter Basil Martysz, Priest Paul Szwajko and his matushka Joanna, Priest Nicholas Holz, Priest Sergius Zacharczuk, Priest Leon Κorobczna, Priest Peter Οhryzko, Monk Ignatius of Jableczna, and all those who martyred for the Orthodox faith together with those known to God.
Act of the Holy Synod of the Polish Orthodox Church
for the induction to the choir of Saints and Martyrs of the twentieth century,
at the eparchy of Chełm and Podlasie
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
At the beginning of the third millennium of the goodness of the Lord, the Orthodox Church of Poland harvested the fruit of the divine sowing, which increased through the confession of the Orthodox Faith and the martyred end of the faithful people of the eparchy of Chełm and Podlasie.
The region of Chełm and Podlasie (southeastern Poland) which one thousand years ago received the Orthodox faith, many times suffered difficult conditions and persecutions by the heterodox. Despite all these, she always kept her dedication to Christ and to the Holy Church, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, who donated to the eparchy of Chelm Her miraculous icon. Even during the most testing trials of faith when it was becoming apparent that the light of Orthodoxy was dimming, they guarded this holy inheritance and wealth of faith as she received it from Saint Vladimir.
As the terrible persecutions and the great darkness passed, again the faith would brighten up through distinguished confessors and martyrs who especially during the 20th century, irrigated their country with their martyric blood.
The zenith of the persecutions in the region of Chełm and Podlasie took place in 1944, and as the locals of that period testify: "We suffered terrible and difficult times by the enemies of the faith who flooded our region with rivers of blood and set on fire our homes. During those days certain ones received the crown of martyrdom, by dedicating their heart and faith to God and their neighbor."
Through their martyric blood and their intercessions our present ecclesiastic community is strengthened and we maintain the memory of their martyrdom according to the 1944 testimony of the local Hierarch Hilarion, who said: "I steadfastly hope, that many of those clerics of my eparchy who were martyred, the Church will induct in the chorus of the saints."
During the intervening 50 years it was not possible to canonize them due to unfavorable conditions. However, their memory remained alive in the people of the region, until the local Orthodox Church based on research and evidence by a specific commission decided the following:
1. It is decided that the synaxis of the Holy Martyrs and Confessors of the eparchy of Chełm and Podlasie shall be on the first Sunday of the month of June.
2. To be ranked in the chorus of the Saints are:
a) Protopresbyter Basil (martyred in the village of Teratin on the 4th May 1945).
b) Priest Paul Szwajko and his matushka Joanna (martyred at the village of Graboviets on the 28th August 1943).
c) Priest Nicholas Holz (martyred at Novosiolski on 2nd April 1944).
d) Priest Leon Κorobczna (martyred at Laskof on 10th May 1944).
e) Priest Peter Οhryzko (martyred at Tsartoviets on 10th April 1944).
f) Priest Sergius Zacharczuk (martyred at Nabruz on 6th May 1943).
g) Monk Ignatius (martyred at the Monastery of Saint Onouphrios at Jableczna on 10th August 1942).
3. An Apolytikion, Kontakion and Megalynarion to the above saints are to be composed, while the Service is to be found in the Menaion of the Martyrs.
4. Whatever holy relics are found are to be honored, and their icon painted.
5. The Orthodox Patriarchates are to be informed, together with the autocephalous Churches.
Through the intercessions of all those Saints who were martyred at Chełm and Podlasie and who are present in front of the throne of the Highest, entreating Him for the Orthodox Church and the faithful people of their country, may the Lord strengthen our faith and grant us His rich blessing. Amen.
+ His beatitude Metropolitan Savva, Archbishop of Varsovia and of all Poland
+ Most Reverend Simon, Archbishop of Lots and Poznan.
+ Most Reverend Adam, Archbishop of Psemisl and Sanok.
+ Most Reverend Jeremiah, Archbishop of Vrotslav and of Stsetsin.
+ Most Reverend Abel, Archbishop of Lublin and of Helm.
+ His Grace Myron, Bishop of Hainouvka.
+ His Grace Jacob, Bishop of Bialystok and of Gdansk.
+ His Grace Gregory, Bishop of Bielski
In Lublin on the 20th of March, 2003.
