Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh in Augsburg: “The enemy brought hell to our land, but the Lord brings deliverance”
On April 2, Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh, Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainians of the Byzantine Rite in Germany and Scandinavia, presided over the Divine Liturgy at the parish of the Blessed Martyr Peter Verhun in Augsburg.
On April 2, Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh, Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainians of the Byzantine Rite in Germany and Scandinavia, presided over the Divine Liturgy at the parish of the Blessed Martyr Peter Verhun in Augsburg.
The community celebrated the Triumphal Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem on this day, according to the Gregorian calendar. In his homily, the bishop drew an analogy between the sacrifice of Christ in Jerusalem and the sacrifice of Ukrainian heroes during the unjust war with the Russian occupier.
Speaking about the event of today’s celebration, Bishop Bohdan noted that the palm branch is a banner of victory. “We long for victory — the victory of God’s love and justice over human evil, sin, and hatred. The Lord is going to Jerusalem to Calvary to win this victory for us. The victory of Ukraine will not be about the reign of human power or weapons. It will be the victory of God over the forces of darkness and the devil,” said the Apostolic Exarch.
“The enemy brought hell to our land, but the Lord brings deliverance. As we go out to meet God, we carry a firm hope and true faith in God’s power, which will certainly be revealed in our people’s history. We go not only to meet Christ, but we go with Christ and follow Christ. He calls us to follow Him on the path of salvation,” said the bishop.
Bishop Bohdan also mentioned those who showed solidarity and support for Ukrainians. “The Way of the Cross of Jesus became the Way of the Cross of Ukraine. But along with unjust condemnation and suffering, we, together with Jesus, experience human compassion, mercy, and support.”
The bishop then spoke about his visit to Ukraine, about conversations with the victims’ families who stop evil by sacrificing their lives, thus showing that they have taken the side of light and righteousness. “During Holy Week, we will experience the suffering of our people and thank God for the greatness of the love of the best sons and daughters of Ukraine,” the preacher emphasized.
The bishop called to embrace the sacrifice that the Lord made for all of us, as well as the sacrifice of our defenders, so that, remembering them, we can make room in our hearts for God’s great love by doing good deeds every day.
“May your prayers and deeds of love fill our lives with the aroma of peace, in which we will feel the presence of the risen Christ and the upcoming victory,” Bishop Bohdan said at the end of the homily.
The UGCC Department for Informationbased on the materials of the Apostolic exarchate of Germany and Scandinavian countries
