The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on Week 232 of the War: The Ukrainian People Turn Their Pain into Prayer as Blood and Tears Strengthen Us
Ukrainian People Turn Their Pain into Prayer as Blood and Tears Strengthen Us We witness how our people turn their pain into prayer, and how blood and tears only strengthen our resolve and resilience—as our friend, the American journalist George Weigel, aptly observed. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said this in his traditional video address during the 232 nd week of the full-scale war that Russia continues to wage on peaceful Ukrainian soil.
The Primate noted that this week, Kyiv once again became the main target of Russian attacks, particularly ballistic missiles. He recalled that on the night of July 19 alone, 40 ballistic missiles—designed to strike military targets but directed at the city’s residential neighborhoods—were fired at the capital within a 40-minute period.
“It is telling that yet another crime against international law has been committed—cluster munitions were used, deliberately aimed at killing the civilian population,” emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
Separately, the Head of the UGCC drew attention to the ongoing Russian attacks on Odesa, the Port of Odesa, and port infrastructure. According to him, civilian shipping in the Black Sea has come to a halt as a result of the shelling, and targeted strikes on vessels transporting Ukrainian grain pose a threat to global food security.
At the same time, the Primate thanked everyone who continues to support Ukraine. In particular, he extended special thanks to Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Vatican Secretariat of State, who completed his visit to Ukraine and returned to Rome “as a voice and witness of heroic Ukraine.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav addressed special words of gratitude to American journalist George Weigel for his article on Ukraine.
“He argues that what is happening in Ukraine is no longer a war. It is state terrorism. George Weigel notes that the goal of this terrorism is to destroy the very morale of the nation and break its spirit. But he observes that Russia’s aggressive campaign is suffering a major fiasco in Ukraine, just as Hitler’s Blitz against London did,” the Primate emphasized.
The Head of the UGCC also spoke about the pilgrimages to various shrines, which traditionally take place in the summer, particularly highlighting the Shrine of Blessed Martyr Symeon Lukach in Starunya in the Carpathian region. He announced that on July 29, a prayer vigil for the families of the fallen soldiers and all those affected by the war will be held there for the 100th time.
“This village, which is the birthplace of an underground bishop—a priest of the underground, suffering, and crucified Church—has now been transformed by the Lord into a place of healing for the wounds of war,” said the Father and Head of the UGCC.
Read also:
Address by the Head of the UGCC for the 232nd Week of the Full-Scale War, July 26, 2026
At the end, His Beatitude Sviatoslav remembered the holy passion-bearers Borys and Hlib, calling them “heroes of nonviolent resistance.”
“Today we pray: Saints Volodymyr and Olha, Equal-to-the-Apostles, baptizers of Ukraine; our holy martyrs—both those from the early decades of Christian Kyiv and Ukraine, Borys and Hlib, and our blessed hieromartyrs, whom Saint John Paul II beatified 25 years ago, particularly Symeon Lukach—intercede for Ukraine, that the Lord God may finally put an end to this sacrilegious war and bless our land with His just, heavenly peace!” prayed the Father and Head of the UGCC.
The UGCC Department for Information
