Head of the UGCC in the 97th week of war: We Celebrate Christmas for the First Time When Light Conquers Darkness
The enemy, attacking our peaceful towns and villages, attempts to deprive us of Christmas joy. So let us sing together the ancestral carols that will help us preserve this joy. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said this in his traditional video address on the 97th week of the war that Russia brought to our peaceful Ukrainian land.
Photo: Mykyta Shandyba
The Primate noted that despite the daily enemy attacks, we are witnessing a special moment — we are celebrating Christmas for the first time together, according to the Gregorian calendar, for the first time, when light conquers darkness.
“We sense that someone wants to steal Christmas from us. However, Ukraine sings carols and celebrates Christmas together with various Churches and religious organizations in our country and around the world. We wish the entire world to hear this Christmas gospel from our land: Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays!” the Head of the Church emphasized.
“First and foremost,” the spiritual leader said, “I thank the Lord God that we have made it through this Christmas and lived to see it. In the face of war, I express gratitude for the gift of life that we can celebrate this Christmas together again.”
“Father always remembers those,” he continued, “who have passed away this year. We also think of our brothers and sisters who don’t have the opportunity to celebrate this warm, bright, and peaceful holiday with their families this year. Millions of Ukrainians have lost their loved ones, homes, and their possessions and do not have a clean table to sit at this holiday. We must remember them especially, pray with them, and share our Christmas joy.”
Moreover, the Primate said the father asks the Lord God for a blessing for his family and our nation.
“Christ enters our family space as our incarnate God and Savior, and we ask Him that no one steal Christmas from us,” said the Head of the UGCC.
The UGCC Department for Information
