His Beatitude Sviatoslav on Independence Day: “The State Must Be the Guarantor of Human and National Dignity”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, congratulated Ukrainians on Ukraine’s Independence Day and emphasized that independence is not only a gift of freedom but also a responsibility that each person bears for the present and future of the state.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized that for Christians, Independence Day is first and foremost a celebration of gratitude to God for the gift of freedom. At the same time, this day prompts us to recognize our personal responsibility toward the nation, especially now, when the Ukrainian people are forced to defend their independence.
“This is a day when each of us bears responsibility for our present and our future, especially now that we must defend this independence, taking up arms if necessary,” he emphasized.
Speaking about the Christian understanding of the state, the Father and Head of the UGCC noted that the state is not an ultimate goal in itself, but is called to serve the people and protect their dignity.
“Christians do not idolize the state; they do not consider it an ultimate goal. The state is an instrument for serving human dignity,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
He recalled that for centuries, Ukrainians—living on their own land as part of foreign states—had faced persecution for their native language, culture, faith, and aspiration to be a free people. That is why, for centuries, Ukrainians have fought for their own independent state—one that would guarantee everything we mean by the terms “human dignity” and “national dignity.”
According to him, today the responsibility for an independent Ukraine rests on everyone without exception—both the government and every citizen.
“This is the government’s responsibility toward its people, the responsibility to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the land. It is the responsibility to rid ourselves of everything that destroys us from within, such as corruption or other internal social hardships,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized.
At the same time, he said, every citizen is called to work for the betterment of Ukraine. For a Christian, the source of this responsibility lies in an awareness of the common good and the goal for which Ukrainians today are defending and strengthening their free nation.
On Independence Day, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church called on everyone to remember and pray for all those who, at various times in history, fought for Ukraine’s freedom and gave their lives for it, and he also expressed gratitude to contemporary defenders.
“Today we are grateful to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, our heroes of the present, who—both on the front lines and in the rear—are ensuring that our homeland remains free, united, and independent. Let us pray, remember, give thanks, and continue our work. O God, the Great and One, protect Ukraine for us,” concluded His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The UGCC Department for Information
