Ministering the most: His Beatitude Sviatoslav about UGCC in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions
In the new edition of the Open Church program on Live TV, devoted to the topic of sustainability, responsible consumption of energy resources, and the service of the Church in times of war, the Father and Head of the UGCC His Holiness Sviatoslav spoke about his recent pastoral visit to Odesa and Mykolaiv Region and the service of our Church in these areas.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that such visits are primarily a spiritual event, a kind of pilgrimage that helps to see the living God present among his people. “Precisely where it is most difficult, where a person suffers, where human blood is shed, — he added, — you can feel and experience God’s presence the most. God is with those who have the most challenging time. Where the wounds of Ukraine are, there are the wounds of our Savior.”
Speaking about the ministry of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Odesa, His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that the Church there always felt a lack of premises, and Odesa has the smallest cathedral in the UGCC.
The small community of Greek Catholics of Odesa, the Head of the UGCC emphasized, is in first place among all the Churches of Odesa in humanitarian service to people in need. “By our structures, we are not the most extensive community but serve the most. And I was pleased that the city government and the regional military-civilian administration saw it, supported it, and thanked them for it.”
Telling about the visits to Mykolaiv, the Primate noted that the city is very wounded and destroyed. Almost half of its residents have fled.
“Residents of Mykolaiv are significantly injured. The people and I prayed a prayer for the healing of wounds. Therefore, the opportunity to touch the wounds of these people was a deeply personal experience and experience for me.”
Summarizing the meeting with Vitaliy Kim, Head of the Mykolayiv Regional Military Administration, His Beatitude Sviatoslav said that no mayor, no head of the region addressed him with a request to develop the Church and expand the network of their presence.
The Primate drew attention to the urgent humanitarian and social challenges facing the Mykolaiv Oblast. In particular, access to potable water is the biggest challenge, as the enemy has destroyed critical infrastructure that supplies potable water.
The UGCC Department for Information
