Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the 198th Week of War: We Embrace Those Who Suffer
“It was hard and heartbreaking to see a father holding his baby’s coffin in his arms and, perhaps for the last time, rocking his child—laid to rest as if in a cradle.” This was said by the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in his traditional video address on the 198th week of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
“This week has once again been marked by Russia’s war crimes against the civilian population. On the night of November 25, our capital city, Kyiv, was subjected to another massive attack. Seven people were killed and dozens were wounded. We embrace those who are suffering. We pray for the eternal rest of those whose lives were cut short in these tragic circumstances. We support all those who have lost hope and whose hearts are heavy,” said the Primate.
At the same time, according to the Head of the Church, this week included special events and days important both for the Catholic bishops of Ukraine of the Byzantine rite—the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church—and for our Latin-rite brother bishops: “We began this week with spiritual exercises, retreats, which took place at the Zarvanytsia Marian Center. We concluded them with our fraternal meeting, where, after listening to the Word of God, praying, and fasting, we were able to reflect together and coordinate our pastoral steps and plans for serving God and people in need in Ukraine.”
A special moment on the bishops’ spiritual journey, said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, was a trip to the wounded city of Ternopil: “There, not only did we visit places affected by Russian war crimes, but we also had the opportunity to touch the pain of people who survived this tragedy. It was a time when the community of Ternopil was burying the victims of the attack every day. It was hard and heartbreaking to see a father holding the coffin of his baby and, perhaps for the last time, rocking his child, laid in the grave as if it were a cradle.”
“Sharing the pain of these people was our task as priests,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
This Sunday, our Church honors the memory of Andrew the First-Called, the apostle with whom Christianity is associated in the holy mountains of Kyiv.
Read also:
Video Message of the Head of the UGCC on the 198th Week of the Full-Scale War, November 30, 2025
According to the Primate, in the tradition of our Church, the feast of St. Andrew the First-Called is a celebration of solidarity between God’s people—monks, nuns, priests, and bishops—and the Head of the Church. Today, in all eparchies and exarchates, a collection of the Andriyiv Hrish is being taken up; that is, funds are sent to the Head of the Church as emergency assistance to those in dire need.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed his gratitude to all those who, through their donations, showed solidarity with the Head of the Church and, at the same time, unity—unity that is global and very necessary today for Ukraine to stand firm, develop, overcome evil, and build a better future.
The UGCC Department for Information
