The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Week 233 of the War: “Peace Is Not for Us,” Declare the Moscow Invaders
The whole world is seeking paths to peace, and only Russia, once again, pursues the path of war. This was stated by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in his traditional video address on the 233rd week of Russia’s horrific sacrilegious war against Ukraine—a week that has been exceptionally difficult and violent for our people.
“Consider this: the Russians launched a North Korean-made missile, and a large family was killed—children and their parents, who were sleeping peacefully in their beds,” noted the Head of the Church.
Against the backdrop of current global events, the spiritual leader emphasizes that Russia consistently demonstrates its unwillingness to engage in any peace talks. “Peace is not for us,” declare the Moscow invaders. The Ukrainian leadership has held critically important meetings at the highest level between the President of the United States and the President of Ukraine.
A particularly painful challenge to Christian conscience and Christian morality has been the recent publication of yet another book on war by Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. While the whole world is talking about peace, the Moscow Patriarch has issued a book titled “War Beyond Causes and Consequences.”
“The book argues that war is ‘God’s plan.’ And he calls on his flock to cultivate a new form of patriotism, in which patriotism is no longer love for one’s homeland or one’s people, but rather loyalty to some ‘divine plan.’ By preaching about some ‘god’ who blesses war, the head of this church urges his faithful serving in the armed forces not to shy away from their calling to victory…,” noted His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
Read also:
Address by the Head of the UGCC for the 233rd Week of the Full-Scale War, August 2, 2026
The Head of the Church noted that such statements hurt us, because they are more than just blasphemy; they are yet another obstacle—both doctrinal and moral—to genuine ecumenical dialogue between the Churches today.
The Primate thanked everyone who is fighting against war and saying “no” to war, both in Ukraine and in the Middle East.
“We believe in God, who is the Source of peace. We believe in God, who is Love. There is no war in His plan, for He is the God of life. And therefore, believing in our God, who is Love, we once again proclaim these traditional, deeply spiritual words of ours: Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays!” emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
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