“Merry Christmas to You, the Great Ukrainian People!” — Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, congratulated the faithful on the feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, calling on them to feel the presence of the newborn Savior and the light of hope even in the most difficult times.
“Christ is born! With this joyous proclamation, we now welcome the Son of God, born among us in human flesh. God became man so that humanity could find the way to God,” emphasized the Primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav pointed out that even in the hardest moments, when people feel tired, cold, or plunged into darkness, the Savior is born among us: “He is now present in every human endeavor, in every person’s circumstances. He is found where we would least expect to meet the living God.”
“Christ comes to people in human flesh to transform them, to open up new perspectives for them, to bring joy where there is sadness, to warm where there is cold, to bring the heavenly light of hope where the enemy wants to plunge us into darkness,” said the Patriarch, adding that even when it is humanly difficult to rejoice, Christians celebrate Christmas as a joy that comes not from the earth but from heaven—as the living presence and light of the Savior among His people.
In his address, the Primate greeted everyone—those who are close and far away, those who are away from home, and those who are able to celebrate with their families.
“I especially congratulate our defenders, the young men and women on the front lines, who, like shepherds, stand guard over our dignity and freedom. And there, angels sing to them on this night, proclaiming the great joy of the birth of our Savior,” said the Head of the Church.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also remembered those who live in the most difficult circumstances: “Today, may our greetings reach places that no human power can reach. I congratulate our brothers and sisters in the occupied territories and all those who remain in Russian torture chambers on this holiday, on the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Primate addressed Ukrainian children, who are suffering most from the hostilities, in a separate message. He wished them to feel God’s radiance and light in their hearts and urged them: “On this day, do not be like those who are scared and shut themselves in their homes, but, like shepherds with joyous carols, go out to your neighbors, relatives, and friends and sing to them that ‘Heaven and earth are now rejoicing. Angels and people are celebrating joyfully’!”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized that Christmas greetings should unite everyone in one big Christian Ukrainian family, “because the essence of this unity is the Son of God, who comes to fill us with himself.”
“Merry Christmas to you, dear Ukraine! Merry Christmas to you, the great Ukrainian people!” — greeted Ukrainians the Father and Head of the UGCC.
The UGCC Department for Information
