“Archbishop Gallagher’s Visit to Moscow Can Be Compared to a Descent into Hades, Where a Sermon on the Resurrection Is Preached” — Head of the UGCC
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, visited Moscow in an important attempt to urge the Russian authorities to end the war against Ukraine. His Beatitude Sviatoslav mentioned this in his weekly video address during the 237th week of the full-scale war.
Archbishop Gallagher’s visit took place from August 25 to 27. During a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Serhiy Lavrov, he clearly stated that there is no military solution to Russia’s war against Ukraine, condemned the war, and conveyed the Pope’s strong call to return to negotiations.
“This was yet another attempt to stop the aggressor. Interestingly, the word ‘peace’ was spoken in a place where war is currently brewing,” emphasized the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that the appeal to stop the war came at a time when Russia is hatching new aggressive plans not only against Ukraine but also against all of Europe.
“While Russia speaks of another escalation it intends to carry out in Ukraine, the voice of the Holy Father’s representative called for sitting down at the negotiating table,” he said.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav compared the visit to Moscow itself to the biblical image of Jesus Christ’s descent into Hades before the Resurrection.
“This visit can be compared to a descent into Hades, when a sermon on the resurrection of the dead resounds from the depths of Hades,” he noted.
The Head of the UGCC said that Ukrainians had accompanied the Holy See’s diplomatic mission with prayer and thanked Pope Leo XIV for his constant work toward a just peace.
“We thank the Holy Father for his tireless preaching of a just peace, particularly in Ukraine,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The UGCC Department for Information
