‘A Mystical Brotherhood’

A K of C chaplain reflects on the impact of Cor in his Ukraine council

Oct. 3, 2025

Priest stands in front of a church. — Father Vitalii Martsyniuk, associate state chaplain for the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, stands in front of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Fastiv, Ukraine. (Photo by Andrey Gorb)

In April 2021, Father Vitalii Martsyniuk helped found Sts. Borys and Hlib Council 17740 in Fastiv, Ukraine. He was appointed associate state chaplain for the Greek Catholic Church there in 2024. In September 2025, he traveled to New Haven, Connecticut, to take part in a conference hosted by the Order’s Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation.

The conference offered Knights’ leaders an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Cor — the Orderwide evangelization initiative — and to receive training on how to implement the program in their home states, provinces and countries. Afterward, Father Martsyniuk spoke with K of C staff about his visit to New Haven and his council’s engagement with Cor.

How did you initiate the Knights of Columbus council in Fastiv? And what was most important to you in this process?

FATHER VITALII MARTSYNIUK: I’ve always relied on the action of the Holy Spirit. The Knights of Columbus didn’t appear in my life by chance. From the beginning, I prayed for this — offering it to God at every holy Liturgy, every day, asking him to help establish a Knights of Columbus community. I had never even heard of the organization until 2009, when His Beatitude Lubomyr Huzar, the former archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church who passed away in 2017, invited me and my team — who weren’t yet an official group — to a meeting. That’s when we agreed to form a community, to support the Church as men. But we weren’t formally part of the Knights yet. I saw the opportunity to join a much larger network, but my men weren’t ready to accept it right away. It took time. Finally, in 2019, I brought them to a point where we could take that step and officially join the wider Knights of Columbus community.

How do you prepare men to become Knights? And what do they need in order to be ready to carry out the mission of Blessed Michael McGivney?

FATHER VITALII MARTSYNIUK: It starts with a desire to form a community of men with diverse interests. On one hand, I pray for this intention; on the other, it’s essential to give each man a concrete task. A real man needs something tangible to mobilize his strength — real, meaningful work. Through work, meetings and conversations, they discover they can live differently — free from many of today’s temptations. Then we unite around good deeds. It’s not always possible to draw them into prayer right away — I guide them gradually, without forcing anything. Only after this foundation is laid can we take up Father McGivney’s mission. It requires solid ground — and when that’s in place, we can fully live out our identity as Knights. But there is a path to that.

What is the role of Father McGivney in your life as a priest, especially during wartime?

FATHER VITALII MARTSYNIUK: First of all, Father McGivney’s context was very similar to what we’re experiencing in Ukraine today. The trials he faced during his life, we are facing now. He acted not just to help people directly, but to empower them to help themselves — and to recognize God’s strength in that help. Though he could do much on his own, he placed responsibility on men, trusting in their strength. Within a larger community, every man can take on a mission to support others — to help soldiers, the wounded, prisoners — and to equip them to carry the burdens of those around them. The Catholic Church embraced this vision more explicitly with the Second Vatican Council — but Father McGivney was already living it. I constantly ask him for strength to keep building a community of good men.

How does Cor help Ukrainian Knights in wartime?

FATHER VITALII MARTSYNIUK: Knights understand that our struggle is a fight for truth and love. The whole nation is now seeking ways to unite, to create a common foundation — one on which we can build relationships, connect with God and with each other, and, in doing so, strengthen the entire Christian community. Soldiers defend us on the front lines, but as Christians, we bear a special responsibility for our own lives and for those of our loved ones. Today, we are called to build strong relationships to protect ourselves spiritually.

What is the Cor initiative for you, as a priest and the associate state chaplain for Greek Catholics?

FATHER VITALII MARTSYNIUK: For me, Cor is the language of the heart. In church, we often pray and reflect with our minds, but this initiative invites us to listen with our hearts. God speaks when the heart is silent, when it listens, when it reads Scripture. In those moments, the Lord touches us deeply — and all we can do is to close our mouths and listen to what he wants to tell us.

You were recently in New Haven for the Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation Cor training. What were some of the highlights of this trip?

FATHER VITALII MARTSYNIUK: I am very proud to have been in the place where Father McGivney lived his faith and founded our Order. It was a special time, because the people there are very open and truly carry the spirit of Father McGivney. They encouraged you to smile, to feel loved by God, to feel part of a community of Knights. For me, it was a source of inspiration to continue working and developing our councils in Ukraine.

What are some of your plans for implementing what you learned during the Cor training?

FATHER VITALII MARTSYNIUK: It’s not the priest who should make the invitation; every Knight must first experience what Cor is, then invite a man standing in church, praying. Invite him with joy and light in your eyes, showing that this community builds strong relationships with God and loved ones. Men connect not mainly face-to-face, but side-by-side or shoulder-to-shoulder. This is how they build a community, united fraternally. Cor is an opportunity for a mystical brotherhood — not just a brotherhood of actions, but a brotherhood in the mystery of being in Christ, all united together. We must reach this point in each of our communities. As leaders, we have the responsibility to make this happen.

If you were to give a message to your American brothers and to their chaplains, what would be on your heart to say about Ukraine?

FATHER VITALII MARTSYNIUK: First, I would ask them to pray for Ukraine. I would also want them to understand that Ukraine today needs multi-faceted, comprehensive support. I would like to thank them for bringing light, joy and life, despite the challenges they face themselves. The fullness of life that the Lord brought us through the incarnation of his son frees us from sin and death, and to participate in this mystery today, we must unite.