“Be the Best and Remember Ukraine”: His Beatitude Sviatoslav to Students at a Ukrainian School in Pompeii
On November 1, during a pastoral visit to Pompeii, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, visited the Ukrainian Saturday-Sunday School “The Holy Family,” where he met with students, teachers, and parents.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Head of the UGCC addressed the children, urging them to study diligently and cherish the opportunity to receive an education in their native language.
“Today, to be successful in a world of advanced technology, you need to know many things. And here, the Ukrainian school in Pompeii provides you with every opportunity to do so,” noted His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Head of the UGCC urged the students not to limit themselves to simply obtaining an education, but to strive for professional development, become active members of society, and at the same time remain faithful to their people.
“Be the best. Study hard. Enroll in an Italian university. Earn the best degrees. Carve out a place for yourselves in this society,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav told the students.
The Head of the UGCC also expressed his gratitude to the teachers and catechists, emphasizing the paramount importance of their work with children living outside Ukraine: “You are doing tremendous work, because you have in your hands the means to secure the future for Ukrainians, for the Ukrainian people.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav then emphasized the close connection between Ukrainian education abroad and church life. He recalled that throughout history, wherever Ukrainians settled, the first things they built were a church and a school.
“The Church has always been the mother and teacher of its people. And that is why there were always classrooms next to the church where children could study,” noted the Primate of the UGCC.
According to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Ukrainian Church and schools outside Ukraine help children learn their language, culture, and history, remember their roots, and maintain their connection with their native people.
“For what happens to a tree that has no roots? So it is with us, human beings. If we lose our roots, we will be lost; we will vanish into the vast sea of humanity of our time,” added the Head of the UGCC.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also thanked the parents who, despite all obstacles, send their children to Ukrainian schools. He emphasized that raising children is, first and foremost, the responsibility of the family, while the school and the Church are called to support parents in this task.
In closing, His Beatitude Sviatoslav wished the students perseverance, wisdom, and success in their studies, assuring them of the Church’s prayers and support.
“Study, work hard, be wise, and strive to be the best,” he urged.
The school administration, in turn, thanked the Head of the UGCC for his visit, calling it a historic event for their community. As a memento of the meeting, the students presented His Beatitude Sviatoslav with drawings they had made themselves.
The Ukrainian Saturday-Sunday School “The Holy Family” in Pompeii was founded in 2012 on the initiative of Fr. Andriy Yevchuk, then parish priest of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God in Pompeii. In 2014, the school received official recognition after signing a cooperation agreement with the Kyiv Lyceum “International Ukrainian School.” Today, more than 100 children study there, supported by 13 teachers and 11 catechists, making it one of the largest Ukrainian educational institutions in Italy.
The UGCC Department for Information
