“Two years of ceaseless miracle — God is present among his people”: Head of the UGCC on February 24
On February 24, 2024, His Beatitude Sviatoslav presided over a Moleben at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv, marking the commencement of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s prayer vigil for Ukraine’s victory and a just peace on the second anniversary of the full-scale war.
The Primate emphasized that this prayer unites Ukrainians in different parts of the world. “Today, I especially want to remember our brothers and sisters in the occupied territories, for whom online prayer is the only way to connect with their Church,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. He underscored that this prayer is also a vigil and noted that some parishes and dioceses of the UGCC are initiating continuous prayer until Ukraine achieves victory.
“Today, with our prayerful gaze, we look back over all two years of this terrible war and see the living God present with us,” said the Patriarch. “Two years of ceaseless miracle — God is present among his people.”
For two years, we have been asking, “Where is God when we are in trouble?” However, to feel God’s presence close to us, we must love. The bishop urged everyone on this day to offer prayers of gratitude for the resilience that has impressed the world, and for the gifts we have received by being alive.
“Today we want to offer a prayer of petition,” added His Beatitude Sviatoslav. “We beg you, God, to inspire us, protect us, let us believe in You, who is present among us, in the One who calls us to freedom.” Finally, the Primate remembered the prisoners, in particular two Redemptorist fathers from Berdiansk, Fr. Bohdan Geleta and Fr. Ivan Levytsky, who are still in Russian captivity, and urged to pray for them.
With this Moleben in the Patriarchal Cathedral, the 12-hour prayer marathon to the 2 nd anniversary of the Great War began, which will last until 21:00 on February 24 and will be broadcast live on Zhyve TV.
We remind you that the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in Ukraine has declared February 24, 2024, the 2 nd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Ukraine’s victory and just peace.
The UGCC Department for Information
