An 82 year old nun was killed in a violent attack at a convent in southern Brazil, shocking the local community and the wider Ukrainian Greek Catholic faithful. Sister Nadia Gavanski was found dead at the religious house where she lived in Ivaí, in the state of Paraná, after an intruder entered the property.
According to local police, the suspect, a 33 year old man already known to authorities for prior offenses, allegedly jumped over the convent wall during the night. He later admitted to entering the premises after consuming drugs and alcohol and claimed he heard voices telling him to kill someone. Officers said he confessed to attacking the nun when she confronted him.
Sister Nadia was reportedly tending to daily chores when she encountered the man. Police statements indicate that he pushed her to the ground and caused her death by asphyxiation. Authorities said there were visible signs of physical aggression, and an autopsy has been ordered to clarify all circumstances surrounding the crime. The suspect has been charged with aggravated homicide and remains in custody.
The incident provoked intense reaction among residents of Ivaí and nearby towns, where a large portion of the population has Ukrainian ancestry. As police transported the suspect between stations, a crowd gathered outside, shouting in anger and attempting to approach the vehicle. Officers managed to prevent further violence and safely transferred the man to prison.
Sister Nadia was a member of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, a congregation within the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Born in 1943 in Prudentópolis, a city known for its strong Ukrainian heritage, she joined religious life in 1971. Over decades of service, she carried out humble tasks within her communities, including cooking, gardening and caring for animals, according to fellow sisters.
Church leaders expressed deep sorrow over her death. Bishop Meron Mazur of the Eparchy of Immaculate Conception in Prudentópolis described the killing as a painful blow, especially as Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops from several countries were visiting Brazil for synodal meetings. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is led globally by Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, and Brazil is home to one of its largest diaspora communities.
Local clergy and religious gathered at the convent to pray and support the sisters. In public statements, Church leaders called for justice while also urging the faithful to reject vengeance. They emphasized the Christian call to forgiveness and the need to respond to violence by promoting peace and respect for human life.
Sister Nadia’s life, marked by simplicity and devotion, has been remembered by many in Paraná as a quiet witness to faith. Her death has renewed discussions about security, social instability and the protection of vulnerable communities across Brazil.
