“Prayer Is Stronger Than Weapons”: Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Endorses Call for Worldwide Prayer for Peace in Ukraine on August 24
His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, endorsed the appeal by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations to proclaim August 24—the day marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence—the World Day of Prayer for Peace.
The Head of the Church spoke about this in a traditional video address during the 235th week of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that on the eve of Independence Day, the heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches, bishops and priests from various countries, as well as representatives of Churches, religious communities, and organizations, are arriving in Ukraine.
According to him, the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations has appealed to the World Council of Churches, Pope Leo XIV, and all people of good will, calling on them to unite on August 24 in prayer for peace in Ukraine.
“I want to endorse this appeal from the Churches and various religious communities of Ukraine and ask all people of good will: pray, join in this prayer, so that the Lord God may stop the war in Ukraine and free humanity from that demon of war, which reaps new victims daily with the scythe of death on Ukrainian soil,” urged the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
The Primate emphasized the power of communal prayer: “Join us in prayer today—a prayer which indeed has tremendous power. We believe that prayer is stronger than weapons!”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav announced that on August 24, representatives of Ukrainian Churches and religious organizations will, as has become customary, unite in prayer at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.
“Let us be together at that moment before the face of God. We believe that our Lord is the God of peace, love, and life, and that He will hear our prayers,” said the Father and Head of the UGCC.
He also appealed to the Most Holy Virgin Mary to bring before God’s throne the pain, tears, prayers, and cries of Ukrainian children and to plead for a just peace for Ukraine: “Our Lady, intercede for our homeland to receive a just, heavenly, and divine peace!”
The UGCC Department for Information
