The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Week 238 of the War: The Future of Our People and the Ukrainian State Is Being Forged Today
The future of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian state depends on whether we can support Ukrainian families today, help people stay in Ukraine, and preserve the unity of Ukrainians around the world. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, made these remarks in his traditional video address during the 238th week of the full-scale war that the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine.
The Primate noted that every week of the war is both “a week of heroic resistance by Ukrainians against the Russian aggressor” and a week of new casualties and losses. He drew particular attention to Russia’s relentless attacks on Kyiv and the Kyiv region.
“For nearly 10 days now, the Russian aggressor has been carrying out a series of attacks on Kyiv and the Kyiv region,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, emphasizing that the enemy is attempting to paralyze life in the capital.
The Head of the Church noted that since the start of the school year, attacks on educational institutions have been particularly dangerous: “We are dealing with state terrorism, where civilians—especially students—are being deliberately targeted by Russian drones and missiles at the most vulnerable moments of their lives.”
At the same time, the Primate thanked God and the Armed Forces of Ukraine for enabling people to live and work even under such conditions. “Life goes on: children are studying, teachers and professors are teaching in schools and universities, doctors are treating patients, and the Church is praying,” he noted.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav devoted special attention to the synodal path of the UGCC. In the Church’s eparchies and exarchates in various countries, forums dedicated to family ministry and the implementation of the decisions of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC are taking place. This process will culminate in a Church-wide forum on November 7.
According to the Head of the UGCC, the focus this week was on the demographic crisis in Ukraine. Experts from the Frontier Institute, who specialize in demography and emigration, were invited to participate in the discussion.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav outlined four key areas for addressing demographic challenges. The first is to help Ukrainians remain in their homeland and foster “social optimism” so that people can plan their lives and have children here. The second is to support families, especially during childbirth and child-rearing.
“We truly want to protect the fertility of Ukrainian families; as a Church, we seek to help our young women and men enter into Christian marriages and to help young families care for their children and not be afraid to have children in Ukraine,” the Primate emphasized.
Another important factor he referred to is the realization that Ukrainians are a transnational nation. According to the data cited, 29 million Ukrainians live in Ukraine today, while there are approximately 60 million worldwide. Therefore, according to the Head of the Church, the unity of the Ukrainian community in Ukraine and abroad, as well as mutual support, are of particular importance.
The fourth priority is preparing for the future return of Ukrainians home after the war ends.
“So the future of our people and of the Ukrainian state is indeed being forged today. I thank everyone who is currently working to foster unity within Ukrainian society and within the global Ukrainian community. Thank you to those who are building mutual trust between the community and the Ukrainian family,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
He also called on everyone to continue repeating with faith and hope: “Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays!”
In his address, the Head of the UGCC spoke about the document Christ Among Us, published on September 1—liturgical and theological guidelines for the celebration of the Holy Sacraments in our Church. He explained that the document is the UGCC’s response to Gestis verbisque, published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on February 2, 2024, and represents the testimony of the UGCC’s Eastern Christian tradition regarding the celebration of the Holy Sacraments.
According to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, in the context of war, this testimony takes on particular relevance, as people who face the danger of death every day are rediscovering the Holy Sacraments and seeking Confession and Holy Communion.
“The Lord God not only speaks to us through the Word of God; He acts in our lives through the Holy Sacraments. The Word of God and the action of God have always been one and the same sacrament of the liturgical life of the Church of Christ,” emphasized the Primate.
He expressed the hope that the new document would serve as a practical guide for catechists and clergy, so that the faithful might not only learn about the Holy Sacraments but also “experience a personal encounter with the living Christ, who is present in the Holy Sacraments even during this brutal war.”
In conclusion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav prayed for Ukraine, its defenders, and peace: “God, stop this war; stop the violence and the killing of Your innocent children! Lord, grant Ukraine Your true, just, heavenly, divine, and blessed peace!”
The UGCC Department for Information
