Blessed Teodor Jurij Romzha

Biography

Blessed Teodor Jurij Romzha, also known as Blessed Theodore George Romzha, was a Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishop and martyr. He was born on 14 April 1911 in Velykyj Bychkiv, Transcarpathia, Ukraine. As a young man, he displayed a deep devotion to his faith and pursued his studies in philosophy and theology.

From 1930 to 1933, Romzha studied philosophy and then continued his theological studies in Rome from 1933 to 1937, where he received a Licentiate. On 25 December 1936, he was ordained as a Catholic priest, dedicating his life to serving God and the faithful.

After his ordination, Romzha was drafted into the military and served on the border with Germany. However, he was discharged in 1938 and began his ministry as a priest in the impoverished parish of Berezovo, Maramorosh District. His dedication to his flock was evident, as he worked tirelessly to help the impoverished and bring them closer to God.

In 1939, Romzha was appointed as a professor of philosophy and spiritual director at the seminary in Uzhorod. He also became Monsignor in 1942, recognizing his exceptional service to the Church.

On 24 September 1944, Romzha was consecrated as the bishop of the Mukachiv eparchy, a significant role in the Greek Catholic Church. However, his eparchy was soon annexed into Soviet Ukraine on 29 June 1945, subjecting him and his fellow believers to religious persecution under the atheist government.

Despite immense pressure and the threat of punishment, Romzha vehemently refused to renounce his connection with Rome and submit to the Patriarch of Moscow. This non-compliance marked the beginning of open persecutions against him and his faithful followers. The government appointed Nestor Sydoruk as the bishop of the eparchy, attempting to undermine Romzha's authority.

Romzha fearlessly spoke out against the government's interference and fought to preserve the rights and autonomy of his Church. For his unwavering dedication to his faith and refusal to compromise, he faced immense hardships. Faithful Greek Catholic priests and lay people were systematically intimidated, harassed, abused, and imprisoned. However, Romzha remained a symbol of strength and hope for his community.

Despite the threats and danger, Romzha continued his pastoral work, traveling across his diocese by horse and buggy to minister to his flock. However, on 27 October 1947, he was the target of a Bolshevik assassination attempt. His cart was rammed by a motor vehicle, and he was brutally beaten with rifle butts, leaving him severely wounded.

Romzha was taken to a hospital in Mukachiv, where he sought medical treatment for his injuries. Tragically, it was within the confines of his hospital bed that he was poisoned, resulting in his untimely death. The date was 1 November 1947, when he was only 36 years old.

Blessed Teodor Jurij Romzha's courageous resistance against the Soviet regime and his unwavering commitment to his faith earned him the martyr's crown. His actions played a crucial role in assisting many Transcarpathian Christians to return from the Orthodox Church to the Greek Catholic faith.

Recognizing his sacrifice and sanctity, Pope John Paul II declared Romzha's martyrdom on 24 April 2001. Shortly after, on 27 June 2001, the Pope beatified him during his visit to Ukraine. Today, Blessed Teodor Jurij Romzha is venerated as a martyr and his feast day is celebrated on 1 November. Additionally, a second feast day is observed on 28 June, commemorating the translation of his relics. His life and acts serve as an inspiration for Catholics worldwide, exemplifying deep faith and unwavering dedication to the Church.