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The 31-year-old Ukrainian Ivan Kolodii was ordained a priest according to the Byzantine rite in the Fulda parish church.
Fulda – Kolodii was blessed on Sunday (March 15) by Bishop Dr. Bohdan Dzyurakh, Apostolic Exarch of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGKK) in Germany, was ordained a priest. Among the concelebrants in the city parish church was the Fulda Bishop Dr. Michael Gerber.
The Byzantine rite of consecration has various liturgical and ritual peculiarities. A key difference to the Roman Catholic rite lies in its own liturgical expression and church tradition.
Ukrainian ordained priest according to Byzantine rite in Fulda
What may sound unusual to many believers is common in the Byzantine Rite: Men who have married before being ordained deacons can be ordained priests. Ivan Kolodii has been married to Anna Kolodii since June 2023. In September 2025, the 31-year-old Ukrainian had already been ordained a deacon in the city parish church.
The newly ordained priest describes his vocation in clear words: “With all my heart I want to use my vocation and the knowledge I acquired during my studies for the Church. The most beautiful vocation is to serve your neighbor and thereby be an instrument in God's hands.” After the ceremonial ordination, the community invited everyone to a reception in the “House of the Church” to celebrate the special day together.
In the future, Kolodii will take on a dual role: he looks after the Ukrainian parish and at the same time will be active in the pastoral care of the Fulda city parish. There he will also celebrate liturgy in the Roman Catholic rite.
