UGCC Head Meets with Ukrainian NGOs at the End of His First Visit to Estonia
On Monday, September 23, at the conclusion of his first pastoral visit to Estonia, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, accompanied by the head of the PMD, Bishop Stepan Sus, met with the Ukrainian diaspora in Estonia. The meeting took place in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Tallinn.
The event was attended by representatives of Ukrainian organizations in Estonia: the Ukrainian Youth Union (CYM), the Ukrainian Emigration Club, the Union of Ukrainian Women in Estonia, the Center for Ukrainian Culture, the Congress of Ukrainians in Estonia, and the Ukrainian Fellowship. Representatives of the Union of Ukrainians in Finland were also present.
At the outset of the meeting, the Father and Head of the UGCC expressed that he had genuinely sought this opportunity for informal communication with Ukrainians living in Estonia. He thanked the participants and emphasized the importance of having the Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia, Mr. Maksym Kononenko, present. He then inquired about the activities of each organization represented at the meeting.
The Primate conveyed his gratitude to the Ukrainian community on behalf of the Ukrainian Church and its people for the immense support provided during the war.
“The scope of your activities is vast and diverse. Each of you is holding your own checkpoint, particularly in these trying times. Thank you for everything you are doing for Ukraine, for providing humanitarian aid, and for supporting us in our struggle… Your actions truly save lives. Every day, you are contributing to our victory,” said the Head of the UGCC.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav highlighted that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is a unique institution, uniting the global Ukrainian community within its fold, creating a special Ukrainian world abroad. Moreover, he noted that belonging to the UGCC often prevents assimilation.
“Our Church in Estonia strives to be an open home for everyone. We aim to be a platform that unites all public organizations. The Church is here to serve as a mother to all. We want to embrace everyone, value each individual, and foster unity. The Church is also a teacher, and this is one of our calls and commandments to you,” stated the Father and Head of the UGCC.
The Head of the UGCC also shared his impressions from visiting various institutions in Estonia, noting the increasing difficulty in maintaining the unity of Ukrainian communities in any country today.
“When the war began, the Estonian authorities expected to receive 2,000–3,000 Ukrainians. In reality, they have taken in around 100,000, which is the largest percentage relative to population among all European countries,” he remarked.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav informed Ukrainians in Estonia that since the outbreak of the war, Russia has been aggressively attacking not only Ukraine, but also Ukrainian communities and NGOs abroad, particularly in countries actively supporting Ukraine. He identified several indicators of such attacks.
The first sign, he explained, is Russia’s effortto antagonize and divide Ukrainian communities.
“Put unity in the name of victory above all else. Set aside personal ambitions, grievances, and conflicts, and unite. In countries where the community is integrated, its voice can move mountains. Your actions and your words are crucial. Please, do not fight amongst yourselves. Remember, this temptation comes from the enemy of humankind. The unity of your community is of utmost value,” the Head of the Church emphasized.
The second sign, he said, is the formation of fake organizations in various countries, funded by Russian money, which appropriates the names of legitimate Ukrainian organizations. These fake Ukrainian entities often receive government recognition and subsidies.
“Be vigilant about fake organizations and misleading claims. When a public organization pretends to be a religious one, it is a sign of great danger,” the bishop warned.
“My recommendation is to encourage people to learn the local language to better integrate into society. However, we, as a Church and community, can help them avoid assimilation. Yes to integration, no to assimilation,” the Primate advised.
In his opinion, the goodwill shown by the Estonian authorities should be appreciated as a gift, but not exploited.
“The UGCC is an ally of Estonia in overcoming Russia’s influence on Russian-speaking communities. Our common goal is to strengthen the position of our Church in Estonia. We aim to be a center of unity for Ukrainian communities. Therefore, let us work together towards this,” the Head of the UGCC urged.
“I wish for your and our common mission to succeed, for Ukrainians to unite, and for organizations to grow. Show people the true face of the Church and the vibrant, living Ukrainian community,” concluded the spiritual leader of Ukrainians.
The UGCC Department for Information
