All of us have been watching Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with feelings of horror and sadness and helplessness. There have also been incredibly moving stories of the resilience and compassion of the Ukrainian people, who have been living under existential threat for years and years.

It was our absolute privilege at AMDG to welcome one of Ukraine’s leading Catholic theologians last week.

Pavlo Smytsnyuk is the director of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, a city in the western part of Ukraine. Pavlo has been in New York for a few months researching for a book, but his parents and colleagues are in Ukraine. He doesn’t know when he’ll be able to make it home.

Now, in addition to his research, Pavlo wakes up early in the morning and spends hours on calls with his colleagues at the university and other faith leaders in Ukraine, helping to coordinate the faith community’s response to the war.

Pavlo is an expert on the religious makeup of Ukraine, which is one of the more religiously diverse countries in Europe. If you want to learn more about Ukraine, the religious landscape there is absolutely essential context.

The son of a Ukraininan Greek Catholic priest, Pavlo has also been deeply formed by the Jesuits: He got his bachelor’s degree at the Gregorian University in Rome and his doctorate at the University of Oxford’s Campion Hall, which is run by the Jesuits.

Pavlo is among the most impressive people you will ever hear from – he could’ve done an equally insightful interview in seven other languages besides English. His devotion to his faith and his country and sharp intelligence shined through his whole conversation with host Mike Jordan Laskey. Please keep Pavlo and his family and friends in your prayers.

AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.