In a historic decision marking the 100th anniversary of its autocephaly, the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church has announced the canonization of Orthodox Christians who suffered and died for their faith during the 20th century, including those killed in the Katyn and Mednoye camps, as well as in Nazi concentration camps such as Auschwitz, Majdanek, and Treblinka.

The decision was confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops and announced in a pastoral letter from Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland, published on the Church’s official website. These new martyrs, known as the “Katyn Martyrs,” will be formally glorified as saints of the Orthodox Church.

Their commemoration day has been set for September 17, with a solemn proclamation ceremony to be held the day before, September 16, at the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) in Warsaw. The service will begin at 10:00 a.m., with clergy and faithful from across Poland expected to attend.

The martyrs to be canonized include not only those who perished in Soviet labor camps and Nazi death camps but also those who were victims of deportations, expulsions, and the Warsaw Uprising. Many of them had lived through the 1925 granting of autocephaly to the Polish Orthodox Church.

On September 17, Divine Liturgies in honor of the new saints will be celebrated in Orthodox churches throughout the country.

In his address, Metropolitan Sawa called on clergy and laity to participate in the celebrations, underscoring the spiritual and historical significance of the canonization:

“Let us give praise to God, offering Him thanks for all the blessings we have received. Let us raise our fervent prayers to the Lord of all creation, asking for His grace and blessing for the future peaceful years of the Orthodox Church in Poland, and for peace in our homeland and the whole world.”

According to the Church's website, pilgrimages to Warsaw are being organized for clergy, monastics, and youth from across Poland to take part in the historic event.