Head of the UGCC in the 206th week of the war: The whole world should hear the voice from Kyiv: Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays!
On behalf of those known and unknown heroes who, on the front lines and in the rear, demonstrate the pinnacle of devotion to freedom and truth, as well as on behalf of children living in cold homes, we proclaim that the whole world should hear the voice from Kyiv: Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays! This was stated by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in a video address during the 206th week of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Heating points set up next to apartment buildings in Kyiv. Photo credit: AP Photo
The Primate noted that this week was a time of heroic struggle for humanity, human life, light, and warmth. Heavy fighting is raging along the entire front line, from north to south.
“But perhaps we will all remember this week because of Russia’s unprecedented attacks on the civilian population. At a time when international discussions, even in Davos or the United Arab Emirates, is focused on an energy truce or other ways to stop this horrific, sacrilegious war, Russia is launching increasingly fierce attacks on peaceful cities and villages,” said the Head of the Church, adding: “We have clear evidence of crimes against humanity, against international law, against the rules and moral norms of warfare.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav was amazed to see men, women, girls, boys, elderly people, and children in Kyiv going to church, praying, and demonstrating the highest levels of heroism, courage, and resilience in such circumstances: “How, in such circumstances, do our people demonstrate the height of their resilience with faith in God? I think that everyone who looks at these people cannot help but be amazed. And we here in Kyiv thank the Lord God for the people He has given to the Ukrainian land today.”
The Head of the Church expressed his deep gratitude to all those who, despite Russian shelling, are tirelessly working to restore our infrastructure and provide our homes with heat and light, water, and other essential resources. He also expressed his gratitude to all those who are currently standing in solidarity with Ukraine.
Concluding the week, the spiritual leader also summarized the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: “It is becoming an integral part of the culture—being a Christian in Ukraine means praying for our unity. We pray together—representatives of different Churches and different denominations. And we pray for the same thing: we ask God to heal the wounds of our disunity and division, to grant visible and complete unity among the disciples of Jesus Christ.”
The UGCC Department for Information
