Commemorations marking the 87th anniversary of the Soviet aggression against Poland
Ceremonies marking the 1st anniversary of the canonisation of the Katyn Martyrs
On 17 September 2026, the 87th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s aggression against Poland, the commemorations began at the Orthodox Cathedral Field Church of St George the Victorious in Warsaw with a Divine Liturgy marking the first anniversary of the canonisation of the Katyn Martyrs by the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Poland and offered in prayer for the victims of the Katyn Massacre.
The Polish Army Museum was represented at this special ceremony by its Director, Professor Bogusław Pacek, and Sebastian Karwat, Head of the Katyn Museum, accompanied by his deputy, Dr Bartłomiej Bydoń.
The homily was delivered by His Eminence Archbishop Jerzy, Orthodox Archbishop of Wrocław and Szczecin and Orthodox Military Ordinary. He emphasised that canonisation is the Church’s recognition of a holiness that already exists, and that the example of the Katyn Martyrs bears witness to the faithful’s devotion to Christ in the face of death. In commemorating the holy Katyn Martyrs – both the three chaplains known by name and the unnamed faithful – they were invoked as intercessors praying for the Homeland, soldiers, uniformed service personnel and all those who serve others. Come, let us celebrate the courageous sufferers of the Katyn forest; let us praise in hymns the endurance of the martyrs, steadfast in patience and strong in trials, and with one accord let us cry out: Holy martyrs, pray for us sinners who honour your memory. (Sticheron, Tone 2)
An important part of the ceremony was the Ecumenical Prayer.
Following the ceremony, Professor Bogusław Pacek, Director of the Polish Army Museum, accompanied by Sebastian Karwat, Director of the Katyn Museum, solemnly presented the Military Ordinary with an urn containing soil from Katyn, Kharkiv, Mednoye and Bykivnia.
3rd Military Ceremonial Roll Call “Standing Guard Over Remembrance”
The commemorations then moved to the Warsaw Citadel, where at noon the 3rd Military Ceremonial Roll Call “Standing Guard Over Remembrance” was held on the Parade Square in front of the Katyn Museum. The ceremony was attended by representatives of Katyn families, veterans, students from uniformed-class schools, scouts and members of civil defence organisations. The presence of the younger generation was of particular significance, as they are taking on responsibility for preserving the memory of the victims of Soviet crimes.
The guests were welcomed by Professor Bogusław Pacek, Director of the Polish Army Museum, who stressed the importance of preserving the memory of the victims of Soviet aggression and the Katyn Massacre and passing it on to future generations.
A letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz addressed to the participants was read by Kinga Kołodziejczak, Deputy Director of the Department of Education, Culture and Heritage of the Ministry of National Defence. In his letter, the Minister highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of the victims of Soviet repression and the need to safeguard historical truth.
Izabella Sariusz-Skąpska, President of the Federation of Katyn Families, also addressed the gathering. In her speech, she reflected on the memory of the victims of the Katyn Massacre and the passage of time, as well as the importance of appreciating every day lived free from war and in peace and security.
A letter to the participants was also sent by Lech Parell, Head of the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Repression. He emphasised the importance of remembering the victims of Soviet repression and the need to preserve the truth about events that for many years were suppressed and distorted.
Mikołaj Orzechowski, a fourth-year student at the Battle of Warsaw 1920 Secondary School in Urle, addressed the gathering on behalf of the younger generation.
The participants were also addressed by Captain Scoutmaster Janusz Komorowski, President of the World Association of Home Army Soldiers, who stressed the importance of remembrance as part of the ethos of service – a path that many of the young people had already chosen through their school and scouting activities.
During the Roll Call, the national anthem of the Republic of Poland was performed, commemorative speeches were delivered, and an ecumenical prayer for the Homeland was offered. The prayer was led by Rev. Col. Kryspin Rak, Vicar General and Deputy Field Bishop; Archbishop Jerzy Pańkowski of the Polish Orthodox Military Ordinariate; and Col. Fr. Tomasz Wola, representative of the Evangelical Military Chaplaincy. Wreaths were then laid at the Katyn Epitaphs by delegations paying tribute to those who were murdered. The ceremony was accompanied by a military guard of honour.
Exhibition “The Elite of the Nation. Reserve Officers of the Polish Army in the Katyn Death Pits
Following the Roll Call, the participants proceeded to the Polish Army Museum, where the exhibition “The Elite of the Nation. Reserve Officers of the Polish Army in the Katyn Death Pits” was opened.
The event was opened by the Director of the Polish Army Museum, retired Major General Professor Bogusław Pacek, who welcomed the many guests in attendance, including representatives of central and local government authorities and the diplomatic corps, members of the Polish Armed Forces and uniformed services, as well as veterans and students from uniformed-class schools accompanied by their colour guards.
Dr Jan Tarczyński, Director of the Central Military Library, then addressed the gathering. In his speech, he quoted General Władysław Anders, who on 7 April 1962, on the 22nd anniversary of the Katyn Massacre, said:In the Kozelsk, Starobelsk and Ostashkov camps, the Soviet authorities gathered several thousand officers, non-commissioned officers, policemen and officials, including scholars and professors, clergy of all denominations, engineers and doctors, writers and journalists – in other words, the leading strata of the Polish nation, representatives of its defence capability, public order and statehood. They gathered there the element they considered the most valuable. By condemning these people to destruction, Moscow knowingly and deliberately committed genocide against the Polish nation. The extermination of the leading strata of the nation was intended to destroy its national spirit and consciousness and to pave the way for foreign rule.
In the next speech, Izabella Sariusz-Skąpska, President of the Board of the Federation of Katyn Families, spoke about the importance of preserving the memory of the Polish elites who fell victim to Soviet genocide.
The speeches were followed by the official opening of the exhibition, after which the guests were invited to visit the display.
The exhibition presents the stories of reserve officers of the Polish Army murdered by the NKVD. It recalls that the victims of the Katyn Massacre included representatives of many sections of pre-war Polish society, including doctors, lawyers, teachers, academics, civil servants, engineers and figures from the cultural world. Their deaths were not only a tragedy for thousands of families but also a profound loss for the Polish state and society.
The exhibition, located in front of the main entrance to the South Pavilion of the Polish Army Museum at the Warsaw Citadel, will be open to visitors until 18 October 2026.
The ceremony concluded with a concert by the Representative Artistic Ensemble of the Polish Armed Forces. Participants also had an opportunity to visit the permanent exhibition of the Katyn Museum.
The 87th anniversary of the Soviet aggression against Poland was also commemorated at the Monument to the Fallen and Murdered in the East in Warsaw. Representatives of Churches and religious communities offered prayers for the victims of Soviet terror. The ceremony took place on 17 September, the date observed as Siberian Exiles’ Day in Poland. The Katyn Museum was represented by its Director, Sebastian Karwat.
