On the 88th week of the war, the Head of the UGCC calls on everyone to stand in prayer for peace in Ukraine and the whole world on October 27
I call on all the sons and daughters of our Church, both in Ukraine and in the settlements, to join the Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Ukraine, the Holy Land and the world. Stand together with the Universal Church in prayer before the face of God and beg for peace. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, stated in his traditional military video message on the 88th week of the great war that Russia is waging in long-suffering Ukraine.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed gratitude to various international institutions for documenting Russian crimes in Ukraine. According to him, recently, the International Commission on Missing Persons, headed by Ms. Kathryne Bomberger, reported that 30,000 civilians went missing during the war in Ukraine.
“These figures are staggering… These are only civilians, only those we are aware of. That is why we want to say again today: despite the pain, blood, tears, and suffering, Ukraine stands! Ukraine fights! Ukraine prays!” he emphasized.
According to the Primate’s observations, last week was tumultuous worldwide. The military conflict in the Holy Land continues to escalate.
“While participating in the Pontifical Synod in Rome,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, “we learned of the tragic loss of hundreds of Christian civilians in the Gaza Strip. That week was marked by heightened tension in various cities worldwide due to a severe terrorist threat. The entire world started to arm itself. However, the statements from leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church suggesting that nuclear weapons had their origins in Russia with the blessing of St. Seraphim of Sarov were exceptionally cynical. Against the backdrop of the military madness that Russia is unleashing upon the whole world through its religious leaders, the prophetic act of Ukraine’s renunciation of nuclear weapons — next year marks the thirtieth anniversary of this event — stands out as a remarkable and commendable act.”
Today, the spiritual leader says, Ukrainians, who sometimes feel the pain of fatigue from the war, ask themselves: where do we get the strength to continue living, fighting, and winning? Our strength exists in God. It is the Lord God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who is the life-giver and source of our life both on earth and in eternity.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that amidst the war-torn sea of life of the world, His Holiness Pope Francis calls upon the entire world to unite in prayer for peace on October 27 — for peace in the Holy Land, for peace in Ukraine and for preventing any criminals from escalating the war to a scale of humanity.
The UGCC Department for Information
