“The world begins to rediscover the criminal past of the Russian empire”: Head of the UGCC
Gradually, our sons and daughters are liberating their native Ukrainian land at the cost of their lives. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, asks us not to forget this in his traditional video message on the 81 st week of the full-scale war that the Russian colonizer has once again brought to peaceful Ukrainian land.
The Primate noted that heavy bloody battles are taking place across the front line, but it is evident to everyone today that Ukraine is ready to liberate all its territories.
The enemy, he states, continues to shell our peaceful cities and villages. Civilians are being killed every day, and the UGCC is with its people: it heals their wounds, provides them with spiritual care and comfort, feeds the hungry, and tries to accept those who need shelter in all parts of our homeland.
The Head of the UGCC remarked that this week, the UGCC and its Orthodox brethren jointly transitioned to a new style, making a truly historic event. From now on, we will celebrate fixed holidays according to the Gregorian calendar.
“We are learning to live and serve God and Ukraine in a new way. And today, we want the whole world to hear that Ukraine is standing, Ukraine is fighting, Ukraine is praying!” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
These days, the attention of the entire UGCC and the world community is focused on an important event: the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC is beginning its work in Rome. It is the Church’s highest governing body, the highest ecclesiastical tribunal. It is a space of communion for the global Church, as it brings together Greek Catholic bishops worldwide.
“We have come to Rome,” the Primate emphasized, “anticipating a sense of great hope, which arises from three circumstances.”
First of all, each session of the Synod is a unique breath of the Holy Spirit on the life of the Church.
“The second hope is related to the fact that in Rome, we have taken a pulpit from which we can speak with a mighty voice on behalf of Ukraine to the whole world. Specifically, in recent days, the whole world is beginning to rediscover the criminal past of the Russian Empire, is beginning to hear the re-enactment of history on Ukrainian lands from the point of view of not an occupier and colonizer but an oppressed people,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav and continued: “Accordingly, we must speak the truth about our past, present and our hope for the future. And we see and feel that the whole world’s attention is focused on our work. Everyone wants to hear what the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will say on behalf of its people Urbi et Orbi.”
The third sign of hope is the possibility of meeting with the Holy Father Francis.
“We know that the Pope is a great expert in listening and a maestro of gestures — deep, eloquent, saving. And now he has even extended the audience’s time for our Synod to listen to the Ukrainian bishops. We want to speak on behalf of Ukrainians to the heart of the Holy Father. At the same time, we expect him to make a gesture toward our long-suffering people that will be more eloquent than hundreds of words spoken or written. Consequently, staying in Rome, we are filled with hope in God, His presence among us, and His power to give Ukraine and our Church the ability to speak on behalf of the Ukrainian people.”
The UGCC Department for Information
