The solemn Divine Liturgy, celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was presided over by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyč and President of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He was joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Mons. Visvaldas Kulbokas, Mons. Stepan Menyok, Emeritus Archeparchial Exarch of Donetsk, and several other bishops—both Greek and Roman Catholic—from across Ukraine, along with some pastors of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Mons. Ryabukha, who had been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Exarchate of Donetsk in September 2022, was elevated to Archeparchial Exarch of the same exarchate on October 17, 2024. This followed the papal acceptance of the resignation submitted by the previous titular Exarch, Mons. Menyok. The decree of appointment was read at the beginning of the celebration by Mons. Andrii Khimyak, Secretary of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

During the liturgy, Mons. Shevchuk emphasized that Mons. Ryabukha had taken on this role during a time of brutal war in the country. "Ahead of you lies a long and challenging journey to heal the wounds caused by war. Be ready to serve all those who have suffered losses due to this brutal conflict, to console widows with the word of God, to dry the tears of orphans, and to proclaim hope in God's mercy."

Highlighting the significance of the installation coinciding with the Feast of the Presentation of Mary, Mons. Shevchuk called on the new pastor to guide suffering Ukrainians, who are losing hope because of the war, back to the Church. He prayed: "Lord, help the millions of Ukrainians who today are lost and whom the enemy seeks to strip of all hope, to find their way back to the true temple. Take them by the hand and lead them to You."

Mons. Ryabukha then took the oath, recited the "Symbol of Faith," and was solemnly installed as the second Exarch of Donetsk.

Following the liturgy, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Mons. Kulbokas, addressed the new Archeparchial Exarch, reminding him of "the power of prayer" and "the importance of always giving thanks."

Mons. Menyok also spoke, offering words of guidance and congratulations. He recalled the formation and development of the Donetsk Exarchate and the significant contributions of local monasticism to the spiritual life of the faithful in the region.

Finally, Mons. Ryabukha expressed gratitude to everyone present for their participation and affection. He thanked Mons. Menyok for his "endless support" during their two years of collaboration in administering the exarchate. He also acknowledged the faithful of the exarchate, noting, "Many more people would have liked to be here, but the restrictions of the curfew and the war in general prevented many from attending." Additionally, he extended thanks to the military for ensuring safety during this difficult historical period.

The Salesian bishop concluded by asking the assembly to pray for him, stating: "Where two or three gather in God's name, God is always among them. And I truly want God to remain with us now and forever here, in our beloved Ukrainian land."

The ceremony concluded with the assembly singing Ukraine's spiritual hymn, "God, Great and One."

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