Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church during Pilgrimage to Madrid: “Ukraine Will Win, Because Its People Know How to Love”
“Only love, as complete self-sacrifice, gives birth to heroes. Only those who are able to give something to their people, their Motherland, and their Church without expecting anything in return know how to truly love.” This was stated by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, during his homily at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid, which he presided over on the occasion of the All-Spain pilgrimage of Ukrainians.
Concelebrating with the Head of the Church were Bishop Josafat Moschych, Bishop Stepan Sus, Bishop Andriy Khimyak, priests of the UGCC in Spain, as well as Archbishop José Cobo Cano of Madrid. More than 2,000 Ukrainians from various regions of Spain took part in the joint prayer.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav described the event as “a landmark moment in the history of the Church”: for the first time in over 80 years of Ukrainian presence in Spain, the community gathered in the historic Cathedral of Our Lady of Almudena to give thanks to the Lord, to Pope Francis, who ten years ago established the Ordinariate for the pastoral care of Eastern Catholics, and personally to the Archbishop of Madrid for his fatherly care for Ukrainian faithful, his support of the community, and his invitation to hold the pilgrimage in the cathedral.
The homily was inspired by Christ’s words to the Apostle Peter: “Peter, do you love me?” (John 21:17). His Beatitude explained that the Lord is not questioning Peter about his past denial or repentance, but rather seeking love.
“To truly love Jesus means to lay down one’s life for Him,” he said.
The Head of the UGCC noted that authentic pastoral love is expressed in the willingness to lay down one’s life for the flock. A priest who lacks such love becomes a “religious businessman,” concerned only with personal interests and power. “In a parish or eparchy, such a priest or bishop may have everything—organizations, structures—but there will be no true pastoral care,” he emphasized.
The Primate added that Christ continues to ask every Christian: “Do you love me?” “He seeks our love. Son, daughter, do you love me? If you do, nothing will be impossible for you.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav urged the faithful to preserve unity within their communities and to remember that the true sign of discipleship is love for one another.
In the context of Ukraine’s Heroes’ Day, the Head of the Church drew a parallel between the self-sacrificial love of the Gospel and the heroic witness of those who gave their lives for the dignity and freedom of Ukraine. “Only those who are able to give something to their people, their Motherland, and their Church without expecting anything in return know how to truly love,” he emphasized.
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He also expressed gratitude to Ukrainians in Spain for their fidelity to their land, people, and Church.
“In the name of your Mother Church, I thank you, the children of Ukraine living in Spain today, for loving your land, your people, your Church, and your Motherland,” His Beatitude told the faithful.
The Head of the UGCC also thanked priests, religious, catechists, and all Ukrainian communities in Spain for their solidarity with Ukraine, their prayers, humanitarian assistance, and their witness before Spanish society.
“Each of your prayers is an invaluable contribution to victory. Every witness you bear before Spanish society in support of Ukraine is your participation in this struggle,” the Primate emphasized.
In conclusion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav called on Ukrainian families in Spain to pass on the faith, the Ukrainian language, and love for God and their Motherland to their children.
At the end of the Liturgy, Archbishop José Cobo Cano of Madrid also addressed the faithful.
“The great Church, like a mother, weaves together the histories of our peoples and, by strengthening us in our traditions, makes us companions on the journey toward the eternal homeland that awaits us all,” he said.
He noted that Ukrainian faithful have long enriched the life of Madrid and the local Church through their memory, traditions, and witness.
Архиєпископ Мадрида Хосе Кобо Кано
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also expressed special gratitude to Fr. Andrés Martínez Esteban, Vicar General of the Ordinariate for Eastern Catholics in Spain, for his ten years of dedicated service to the clergy and faithful. In recognition of his ministry, the Head of the UGCC presented him with a pectoral cross with decorations.
The nationwide pilgrimage of Ukrainians to the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid concluded with a joint prayer for Ukraine and its heroes.
The UGCC Department for Information
