The Head of the UGCC called on the world to condemn Russia’s terrorist actions and thanked Ukrainian energy workers
We call on the entire international community, heads of state, Churches and religious communities, public organizations, and intellectuals of the world to join our voice and strongly condemn this type of terrorist action. If you remain silent today, you will be killed tomorrow, just as they are killing us today. So let us say our resolute “no” to the state that resorts to such actions to achieve goals.
Such an appeal was made by the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, in his daily military request on the 230th day of the cruel, inhumane, bloody war.
Dozens are known to have been killed, and dozens wounded. The death of 19 innocent victims of this massive attack has been confirmed. Six people died in Kyiv, and more than 50 were injured. In a few hours, Russia launched 83 various cruise missiles over Ukraine.
“The enemy wanted to intimidate us. He tried to destroy the critical infrastructure of our towns and villages, including the electricity supply. But Ukrainians stopped being afraid a long time ago. This type of attack unites our people even more.”
“On behalf of all Heads of Churches and religious organizations united in the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches, I consider it my duty to loudly and decisively condemn this act of terrorism, which the Russian Federation has committed is committing against the Ukrainian people. Such actions by the Russians are a direct violation of international humanitarian law, the rules, and customs of warfare and cannot be qualified in any other way as war crimes,” said the Head of the UGCC.
We Christians, says the Head of the Church, always experience our pain, uniting it with the pain of our crucified Savior. And then our pain becomes saving, saving for ourselves and the world.
Hence, the Archbishop offered a recipe for overcoming pain: “When you are in pain, try to think about others, serve them. Sometimes it is necessary to extinguish the pain of the heart with the pain of work. Pain is like a fire that hardens our personality.”
The Head of the UGCC thanked the medical workers who, in particular, are rescuing injured people today, as well as Ukrainian energy workers, who restored all the energy supply to our cities and villages during the last night, the network that the enemy tried to destroy.
“Today, this morning, under the wail of the anti-aircraft siren, we thank the Lord God that we are alive. Thank you to our defenders, young people, service members, rescuers, and all those who save lives in Ukraine,” resumed the Head of the UGCC.
The UGCC Department for Information
