The Starting Point of the Podillia Way of St James Was Opened in Vinnytsia

In the centre of Vinnytsia, the starting point of the Camino Podolico cultural route was opened, which will be the starting point of the pilgrimage of Ukrainians along the world-famous Way of St James. This is a pedestal with a sculpture of the Holy Apostle James and a landscaped area around it, equipped with stairs and a ramp.

The grand opening of this location took place near the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels on 25 July, the Feast of the Apostle James according to the Gregorian calendar, and it marked Vinnytsia's accession to the European Federation of the St James Way. The sculpture depicts the holy martyr with the characteristic Cross of St James and shell which are attributes of pilgrims on their way the Cathedral of St James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, one of the three main shrines of Western Christianity.

Before the full-scale invasion, the City Council and the parish of the church planned to improve the starting point of the Podillia Way by installing a thematic sculpture of the saint, which would attract even more tourists and pilgrims. The statue was made in Poland with funds from the parishioners of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels.

The unveiling of the sculpture of St James was attended by Viacheslav Sokolovyi, Chairman of Vinnytsia Regional Council, Pavlo Yablonskyi, Chairman of Vinnytsia City Council, Andrii Ocheretnyi, Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia, Radoslav Zmitrovych, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Kamianets-Podilskyi of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, and Simeon, Metropolitan of Vinnytsia and Bar of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Also among the attendees of this event were representatives of the communities of Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi regions, partners of the route, faithful and pilgrims.

“I am very pleased that Vinnytsia has become the easternmost point of the Way of St James. On 29-30 June, at the General Assembly of the European Federation of the St James Way, Vinnytsia and Camino Podolico were unanimously accepted into this respected structure. This is the first step towards the certification of Camino Podolico in the Council of Europe and joining the European cultural routes. Today, Vinnytsia demonstrates its leadership, and those communities that have joined the Way of St James have also made a very, very significant contribution. What you see today is the embodiment of the united efforts of the church parishioners, pilgrims, the Regional Council, Vinnytsia City Council, grantors... A lot of things preceded this event. And I am convinced that only success awaits us ahead,” said Andrii Ocheretnyi.

According to Andrii Ocheretnyi, this way can also be used for psychological rehabilitation, rethinking oneself and the experiences one has had, so in the future, veterans, their families and internally displaced persons will be invited to participate. At the moment, certain sections can be walked individually without official registration of a pilgrimage, subject to wartime restrictions.

“Many thanks to everyone who took part in this, to everyone who helped to make this way, this gift for Podillia and for the entire Ukraine. In Europe, the Way of St James has been a place of meeting with God for many people, as well as a place of looking for themselves... I know that today two pilgrims are leaving Vinnytsia. I think they will also pray for us, for Ukraine, for peace and victory,” said Radoslav Zmitrovych, who sanctified the sculpture of St James at the end of the event.

“Dear pilgrims, friends from Vinnytsia, European compatriots from Ukraine! I am grateful for the opportunity to address you on the day of the celebration of the Feast of the Apostle James and the way that unites Europe through more than 80 thousand kilometres, from Norway, Iceland, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine and 20 other countries, where Europeans have been working, meeting and exchanging knowledge freely for more than 1200 years, on a route that crosses Europe all the way to Finisterre, the end of the world,” said Ildefonso de la Campa Montenegro, the president of the European Federation of Saint James Way, in a video message. “The Way of St James is the way of peace, unity of people and freedom. Today, in Europe, the Podillia Way in Ukraine is a synthesis of what the Way really is – the constant struggle of man for freedom, independence and self-determination. We are convinced that very soon thousands of citizens from all over the world will follow the Podillia Way in a peaceful, free, democratic country that is fully integrated into Europe. Happy St James' Day! Have a successful journey! Glory to Ukraine!”

Learn more about Camino Podolico on the project's website.