Let us embrace the long-suffering city of Zaporizhzhia with our prayers, — the Head of the UGCC on the 234th day of the war
The Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, called on the faithful and all people of good will to pray for the long-suffering city of Zaporizhzhia, which became the center of attacks by the Russian occupiers, in particular during the last week. He said this in a daily video message on the 234th day of the great and bloody war.
On this day, His Beatitude Sviatoslav completed his reflections on the virtue of perseverance. In particular, he reflected on the human ability to rejoice amid grief.
How can you keep the joy amid war? “It is obvious that such joy is the consolation of the Holy Spirit, who comforts God’s people amid grief. That’s why we call him the Comforter Spirit,” explained the Archbishop.
He noted that psychologists and those who treat war wounds claim that resilience is also about the role of positive emotions and states because, mentally, a person cannot be sad all the time. Therefore, we all know very well how a good laugh and sincere joy relieve tension and restore our soul and how important it is to see beauty, admire it, and be moved by it.
Resilience, this wisdom of a person amid grief and suffering, the Primate added, is also about the ability to generate positive states — through song, joke, dance — about the power to share them because “shared joy increases.”
On this Saturday, the Head of the UGCC thanked all cultural workers: artists, singers, and musicians, who generate positive emotions and save the soul of our people with the harmony of beauty, even in war conditions.
“I want to thank,” said the Primate, “all those who, with their smile, restore and save sad souls.” Amid this chaos of war, we so need harmony and beauty, which restores the balance of our souls, and thus shows the beauty of man — the crown of God’s creation, even in such terrible circumstances.”
The UGCC Department for Information
