Reburial of Andriy Melnyk and Sofia Fedak in Ukraine
The former leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Andriy Melnyk, along with his wife Sofia Fedak, will be reburied in Ukraine. Luxembourg authorities have granted permission for this, made possible through efforts by the President's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, and the head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov. Bohdan Chervak, the current head of the OUN, announced the reburial.
Melnyk served as a colonel in the Ukrainian People's Republic Army and was the second leader of the OUN. After World War II, Prince Felix offered the couple refuge in Luxembourg. Over the decades, Grand Dukes Jean and Henri maintained the Melnyk grave, reflecting their respect for these Ukrainian figures.
Details of the Reburial
The ceremony will take place from May 22 to 24, 2024, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (UGCC) in Kyiv. Funeral services will be held throughout these days. The main memorial service and burial rite are scheduled for Saturday, May 23, at 3:00 PM. On Sunday, May 24, at 7:00 AM, the coffins will be transferred to the National Military Memorial Cemetery.
“Now we can say this out loud and with confidence. Colonel of the UNR Army and second head of the OUN, Andriy Melnyk, together with his wife Sofia Fedak, are returning to Ukraine. The authorities of Luxembourg, where the Colonel and his wife were buried, have granted permission for the reburial of these great Ukrainians on their native soil.”
— Bohdan Chervak
Chervak also expressed gratitude to Ukrainians who, despite difficult emigration circumstances, cared for Melnyk's grave and kept his memory alive: “But the deepest bow goes to Ukrainians who, in the challenging and often harsh conditions of emigration, never forgot to visit Andriy Melnyk's grave, ensuring the flame of memory never died out and that fresh flowers were always there.”
The return of Andriy Melnyk and Sofia Fedak to their homeland marks a significant moment for the Ukrainian community, highlighting their contributions to Ukraine's struggle for independence. This event also symbolizes the restoration of memory for historical figures who helped shape Ukrainian national identity, and the reburial could serve as an important step in rehabilitating and recognizing their legacy in Ukraine's history.