102nd anniversary of the Battle near Dytiatyn

"Dytiatyn - Uniqueness and Cyclicalness"

September 17, 2022

The year 2022, the 102nd anniversary of the Battle of Dytiatyn, has brought much uncertainty, fear, and suffering to Polish and Ukrainian lands. The latest bloody events beyond Poland's eastern border do not allow us to forget our heritage, our history. This heritage, engraved in our hearts through the cultivation of unwavering patriotic virtues, does not allow us to forget the events that serve as a lesson for every future generation. It does not allow us to forget the blood of our ancestors shed on this land. The "Polish Thermopylae," as the Battle of Dytiatyn is remembered in history, is still alive in our memory. In recent years, and this year as well, we will remember! We will remember actively and bravely – on this land where the blood of Polish and Ukrainian soldiers spilled 102 years ago. We will remember because this heritage draws us every year to the Dytiatyn War Cemetery.

This year's Dytiatyn celebrations can certainly be considered exceptional. Despite such turbulent events in Ukraine, they took place as usual, cyclically on September 17, 2022. However, what is exceptional this year is the lack of participation of guests and Polish groups from Poland. The situation that surprised us on February 24 early in the morning is still making itself felt in all areas and spheres of life - also in this social dimension. The celebrations began with a Holy Mass celebrated at the War Cemetery in Dytiatyn. To get to the Cemetery, you have to overcome a difficult path leading through fields and potholes. But this does not discourage, as every year, a large group of guests went to where the heroic deed is commemorated, where a human life was given. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Roman Stadnik, Dean of the Galician Deanery. During the Holy Mass, the Custodian of the Custody of the Holy Cross, Fr. Stanisław Kawa OFM Conv., delivered a word to the participants. He recalled that 102 years ago, a bloody battle between Polish and Ukrainian soldiers and the Bolsheviks took place in this very area. He said: "On the eve of the October Revolution, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to the children in Fatima, spoke of the threat that would come from Russia. And she asked for prayer for the conversion of the Russian nation, to stop the evil that would spread from there to the whole world. Who took this seriously?" (...) Who hears the voice of God today? (...) God does not want death and suffering."

In a letter sent for this occasion from the Government Plenipotentiary for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad, Mr. Jan Dziedziczak, we read: "The memory of the heroes of the war against the Bolsheviks in 1920 will forever remain our duty. (...) The courage of the Polish Soldier, who fought against an enemy four times larger, even when they ran out of ammunition, is evidenced by the words from the order issued after the battle by the commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Colonel Stanisław Burhardt-Bugacki: "All of them persevered, both soldiers and officers, bravely sacrificing their lives at their posts rather than the guns and the Honor of the Polish Soldier (...). May their courage and intrepid bravery ignite in us the great fire of Love of the Fatherland, which may lead us all in the footsteps of such heroes." Following the ceremonial commemorations at the cemetery, along with the laying of flowers and candles by state and church representatives from Poland and Ukraine, patriotic performances took place. Children from the "Perełki" group from Dolina, Ukraine, led by Father Krzysztof Panasowicz, presented a patriotic program prepared for the ceremony to the gathered guests. This beautiful artistic performance capped the celebrations and allowed them to once again feel the spirit of patriotism and unity between nations.

This year's celebrations were also exceptional due to the absence of one of the oldest, permanent participants in the commemoration of the events of Dytiatyn - Mr. Petro Hrudzewycz. He became a kind of propagator of these celebrations when, in the times of the USSR, he expressed his opposition to the removal of the cross commemorating the events on Dytiatyn Hill. For his heroic act, he suffered persecution, and as a result, his health deteriorated. However, the memory of his merits has been preserved and in 2021, the President of the Republic of Poland awarded him the "Virtus et Fraternitas" Medal. Unfortunately, Mr. Petro did not live to see the next celebrations of the Battle, which also marked his life with suffering. He died a few months before the celebrations of the 102nd anniversary. However, the memory lives on, although he was not present at the Celebrations, our presence was with him. Ms. Eliza Dzwonkiewicz - Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Lviv - solemnly laid flowers on his grave.

102 Celebrations – unique and cyclical. Unique in every respect. And here we can reflect on the fact that uniqueness is invariably linked to cyclicality and routine. Life repeats itself every year, every decade, and every century, and within this cyclicality is always woven the uniqueness of events, encounters, and moments. What matters most is unwavering memory!

Dytiatyn – we remember!