To Lay Down One’s Life

June 2, 2026

Ukrainian Knights have left friends and family behind to defend their homeland — with several killed or missing in action

By Kateryna Kolodii

June 2, 2026

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore and Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv pray at the grave of a fallen soldier at Mars Field in Lviv. — Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore (right), Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv, state chaplain for the Roman Catholic Knights in Ukraine, and Olha Vorobiova pray at the grave of Olha’s husband, Oleh Vorobiov, a fallen soldier from Blessed Hryhorij Lakota Council 17651, at Mars Field in Lviv in October 2024.

As the war in Ukraine continues, the number of the country’s fallen soldiers has exceeded 55,000, while more than 90,000 Ukrainians — both soldiers and civilians — are considered missing, according to the government.

Among the hundreds of thousands who have traded ordinary lives for military uniforms are about 150 Knights serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Eight brothers have made the ultimate sacrifice, and at least five Knights are still considered missing in action, leaving their families to wait and pray in painful uncertainty.

“Being a Knight today means a readiness to sacrifice oneself for the sake of one’s neighbor, one’s family, and one’s motherland,” said Father Vasyl Demchyshyn, chaplain of St. Michael the Archangel Council 18257 in Chemerivtsi, in western Ukraine. “Our brothers show that true brotherhood also means sacrifice.”

‘A DUTY AND AN HONOR’

Among those whose fate remains unknown are Roman Kaziurkevych of St. John Paul II Council 15801 in Lviv and Bohdan Valchak of Council 18257 in Chemerivtsi.

For Kaziurkevych, family, faith and service always came first. His daughter-in-law, Yuliia, recalled him as a devoted man whose involvement in the Knights of Columbus reflected his deep faith and desire to help others.

“He was a very warm and kind person,” she said. “He took great pride in being among the Order’s ranks.”

When the full-scale invasion began, Kaziurkevych returned from Poland, where he had been working, to defend Ukraine and protect his loved ones.

“For the sake of his family and his country, he came back to stand beside them during this difficult time,” Yuliia said. “He was a trustworthy brother-in-arms and a loving son of Ukraine.”

Knights from Lviv councils during a Christmas visit with Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki in Lviv. — Roman Kaziurkevych (second from left), a member of St. John Paul II Council 15801 in Lviv who has been missing in action since 2024, stands with Knights from other Lviv councils during a Christmas visit with Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki, Ukraine state chaplain, in Lviv on Dec. 29, 2017.

On Aug. 10, 2024, while carrying out a combat mission near Hrodivka, in the Donetsk region, Kaziurkevych went missing. Since then, his family has lived in painful uncertainty while holding on to hope for his return.

Valchak’s wife, who works at a kindergarten, and their daughter have endured the same painful trial. Before the full-scale invasion, Valchak served actively in parish life as a cantor and through his council.

“He was very active in council life — in service, charitable initiatives and helping people,” said Father Demchyshyn, who is also Valchak’s brother-in-law. “For him, being a Knight was not just membership in an organization — it was a way of life.”

When war broke out, Valchak did not hesitate to stand up for his country. A year ago, he went on a combat mission and did not return; all contact ceased.

“He did not try to avoid [mobilization] or hide,” Father Demchyshyn recalled. “On the contrary, he saw it as both a duty and an honor.”

Today, the families of both Knights continue to live between hope and uncertainty.

“It is very difficult to live without knowing what happened to someone you love,” Father Demchyshyn said. “But we do not lose hope; we pray and believe that he might still be alive.”

‘HOW CAN I LET MY COMMANDER DOWN?’

For other families, the war has left behind a loss that forever changed their lives. Among them are Liudmyla Prashchuk and her two children. Her husband, Oleksandr Prashchuk of St. Joseph Council 16580 in Hnivan, gave his life for his country.

“He always came to help. He never refused,” said District Deputy Oleh Bania from Council 16580. “For us, he was a true example of St. Joseph: quiet, hardworking and kind, serving others not with words, but with his life.”

Prashchuk played an important role in his parish and council by helping others in practical ways.

“He was a very active Knight and a practicing Christian,” said Bania. “But most importantly — he truly lived the service that the Knights of Columbus speak about.”

In fall 2023, Prashchuk was called up to defend Ukraine.

Oleksandr Prashchuk, a member of St. Joseph Council 16580, is pictured with other members on the occasion of the council’s institution in Hnivan, Ukraine. — Oleksandr Prashchuk (first row, second from right), a member of St. Joseph Council 16580 who died on the front lines in 2023, is pictured with other members on the occasion of the council’s institution in Hnivan, Ukraine, on Oct. 26, 2016.

“At that time, we were preparing a distribution of aid for internally displaced people near the church,” said Bania. “He received his mobilization notice while serving others.”

During his initial tour of duty, Prashchuk participated in some of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s most difficult missions, spending 24 days on the front line, Bania recalled.

“Because of the conditions, he was forced to remain crouched almost the entire time.”

After several weeks in the hospital due to severe back problems, Prashchuk still chose to return to the front, saying, “How can I let my commander down?”

Later, during fierce fighting near Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region, Prashchuk and three fellow soldiers held their position for weeks. Their shelter was hit by a guided aerial bomb, and despite rescue efforts, all four soldiers died beneath the rubble.

“It happened on March 19 — the feast of St. Joseph,” said Bania. “At that moment, I think, St. Joseph took him by the hand into heaven.”

Behind every name of a fallen soldier is a father, husband, son or friend who chose to serve and defend Ukraine, Bania said.

“We need to remember the Knights who died in this terrible war,” he added. “After all, they gave what is most precious — their lives.”

To learn more about the Order’s work in Ukraine and to support those efforts, visit kofc.org/ukraine.

*****

KATERYNA KOLODII writes from Lviv, Ukraine.

California farmworkers, or campesinos, work in a lettuce field near El Centro, outside Brawley, in March 2014.

To Lay Down One’s Life

‘A DUTY AND AN HONOR’

‘HOW CAN I LET MY COMMANDER DOWN?’

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