A triple anniversary

Today, the Bible is more accessible than ever, available in countless printed editions, translations, and digital formats. But it was not always so. The invention of printing made the Word of God accessible to a much wider audience, contributing to spiritual renewal and shaping European languages, cultures, education, and science. These developments of the sixteenth century also reached the Ukrainian lands.

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In 2026, Ukraine is commemorating a triple anniversary: the 500^th anniversary of the birth of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrozkyi, one of the most prominent statesmen of the Ukrainian lands; the 450^th anniversary of the founding of the Ostroh Academy, the first institution of higher education in Eastern Europe; and the 445^th anniversary of the publication of the Ostroh Bible, the first complete printed edition of the Bible in Church Slavonic.

As an influential figure in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrozkyi sought the cultural development of his fellow Ruthenians (a historical term for Ukrainians, not to be confused with Russians) and the advancement of Orthodoxy. Recognizing the importance of education, he founded the Ostroh Academy, which became a center for the group that published the Ostroh Bible — a landmark in European printing. Together, these achievements affirmed two principles central to Western civilization: rational inquiry and divine revelation.

[photo_footer]A facsimile edition of the Ostroh Bible displayed against the information panels of the “Ostroh Relic” exhibition. / Photo: Olena Hroza.[/photo_footer] 

As Ukraine fights for its independence and identity today, it is important to explore the significance of these anniversaries. For this reason, the Eastern European Reformation Ministry, in cooperation with the National University of Ostroh Academy and with support from Every Home for Christ Ministry, launched the Year of the Ostroh Bible program — a series of public education initiatives across Ukraine highlighting the historical significance of the Bible, particularly the Ostroh Bible, and the early modern period of Ukrainian history. The Bible became a foundation of Ukrainian national and civilizational identity, and today both Ukraine and the wider Western civilization need to rediscover these roots.

Both academic and spiritual

The Year of the Ostroh Bible program combines academic and spiritual dimensions, exploring both its historical and spiritual significance. The main elements of the program include the Ostroh Relic traveling exhibition, academic conferences and roundtables dedicated to the Ostroh Bible, various thematic events, screening of a documentary film specially produced for the program, distribution of informational materials, and a public education campaign in the media.

The program was launched on May 29, 2026, in Ostroh, the city where this Bible was published 445 years ago, with a conference entitled The Ostroh Bible in the Context of Ukrainian and European Culture. The conference brought together 120 participants from across Ukraine, representing various Christian denominations. The program included thematic presentations as well as a joint interdenominational prayer. The opening of the Ostroh Relic traveling exhibition also took place during the conference.

[photo_footer]The conference brought together 120 participants from across Ukraine, representing various Christian denominations. / Photo: Olena Hroza.[/photo_footer] 

Among the conference participants were representatives of local teams that plan to host the exhibition in their communities. Therefore, on May 30, we held a training session for these teams, where we discussed various aspects of organizing events connected with the Year of the Ostroh Bible program and explored the content of the Ostroh Relic exhibition in greater detail.

It was also an opportunity for teams from across Ukraine to network with one another. The long-term vision of Eastern European Reformation is to create the conditions for various educational initiatives that will help the Church unlock its potential for serving society and bring into the public sphere values that are so important for renewal and reconstruction today.

To enable the Ostroh Relic exhibition to reach more locations, we produced two complete exhibition sets. Each set includes three large information panels covering the history of the Bible through the centuries; the life, character, and motivation of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrozkyi; and the origins, distinctive features, and significance of the Ostroh Bible.

[photo_footer]During the exhibition, visitors can try their hand at being a printer by using a wooden printing press to print a page featuring the design of the Ostroh Bible along with the Lord’s Prayer. / Photo: Olena Hroza.[/photo_footer] 

Among the exhibition’s many exhibits, a wooden printing press stands out. Visitors can use it to print a page featuring the design of the Ostroh Bible along with the Lord’s Prayer as a keepsake. The exhibition also includes replicas of various artifacts that tell the story of the creation and transmission of the biblical text; facsimile editions of Bibles connected with Ukraine from different historical periods, including the Ostroh Bible itself; and a large collection of contemporary Bibles, including various Ukrainian translations, children’s editions, and a Braille Bible.

It also features an audio Bible player and a projector displaying biblical texts. Together, these elements demonstrate how the biblical message has been transmitted through different media across centuries and historical eras.

[photo_footer]Events featuring the exhibition are complemented by musical performances, choir singing, joint prayers, addresses by public officials, panel discussions, and roundtable discussions. / Photo: Oleksandr Kharvat [/photo_footer] 

Another important element of the exhibition focuses on a significant chapter in the history of Christianity in Ukraine: the period when the Bible was banned by the Soviet authorities. One of the exhibits is a notebook belonging to a soldier who copied biblical passages by hand so that he could read them when he did not have access to a Bible.

As of mid-August 2026, the exhibition has already visited the university in Ostroh, museums in Zviahel, Berdychiv, and Chernihiv, Dubno Castle, Zbarazh Castle, the public library in Rivne, and the Ukrainian Parliament building in Kyiv.

In the coming months, the exhibition will continue traveling across Ukraine, with plans to reach more than 30 locations.

[photo_footer]The Ostroh Relic exhibition presentation at Rivne Regional Universal Scientific Library. / Photo: Oleksandr Kharvat [/photo_footer] 

At the end of August, a 30-minute documentary film about the Ostroh Bible will be released. In this documentary, historians, biblical scholars, and Christian leaders discuss the history and significance of this edition, as well as the broader impact of the Bible on society. The film will complement the program's activities in different cities and will also become part of the program's media campaign.

The media campaign itself aims to demonstrate the broader significance of the Bible and Christianity for Ukraine. High-quality historical articles and engaging reels created by creative young Christians explore different stages of the history of Christianity in the Ukrainian lands, the formation of biblical texts, and the ways faith has influenced the development of culture, art, literacy, and statehood. Our content also includes videos in English, helping international audiences understand Ukraine's connection with European Christianity.

The program continues

We hope that the Year of the Ostroh Bible program will help further develop Christian public education in Ukrainian society. Our dream is to establish a permanent Bible Museum in Ukraine that will promote the Bible within the public sphere. Our ministry is also already planning initiatives for the coming years. Building on the networks created through the current program, we hope to develop additional educational initiatives. For example, in 2027, we plan to address the topic of Soviet repression, including the persecution of Christians.

Researching history and bringing key historical narratives into conversation with the present is an important element of contemporary Ukrainian nation-building. The Church has a significant role to play in this process, helping ensure that these narratives are grounded in the Word of God.

You can support the Year of the Ostroh Bible program and our other initiatives through financial support and prayer.

For inquiries about cooperation, please contact us at [email protected].

Illia Vitchenko, Eastern European Reformation team member and Head of the Christian Leadership Development Foundation.

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