Ukrainian Army Reveals Ukraine’s Strong Spirit to the World: The Head of the UGCC congratulated the defenders of Ukraine
We remember the noble goal which is worth living for and sacrificing our lives for. This goal is an independent Ukrainian state in the family of European nations of high civilization and culture. These words were spoken by the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, in his greeting speech on the occasion of the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God and the Day of Defenders of Ukraine.
Christian Ukraine celebrates the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the first time on October 1. The Primate emphasized that this day is one more great national holiday for the Ukrainian state.
“Today, we celebrate the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. Historically, our Ukrainian army has been the army of those who protect and secure the life and development of the Ukrainian people. They are the ones who fight for Ukraine’s dignity and freedom. Therefore, on this day, our gratitude and greetings go to our men and women at the front who are protecting the future of Ukraine at the cost of their own lives,” said the Head of the Church.
Three words come to mind today. The first is memory. “We remember,” the spiritual leader reminds us, “all our predecessors, entire epochs, generations of the national liberation struggle of Ukraine for its freedom and independence. We remember all those who fell in an unequal battle with the Russian aggressor. Today, we pray for them from the earth to the heavens, from the human heart to the throne of God.”
The second word is fraternity. “We win only when we can rely on the shoulder of a comrade-in-arms, on the strength and courage of the Ukrainian army. It is the brotherhood of those at the front and those who live and work for the front. This national solidarity and unity in the struggle is the key to our victory. This brotherhood is like a cry forged in the furnace of our struggle for freedom,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav urges us to reflect.
The third word is vocation. “The Lord God is calling our soldiers forward to defend the space of life and to remain human even in inhuman circumstances. The Ukrainian army today is called to conquer death with life, to bring light where there is darkness,” said the Head of the Church.
According to him, we are now called to bring the space of freedom to where the Russian invader seeks to bring oppression and slavery. “Once again, we express our gratitude to the Ukrainian soldiers for showing the whole world what Ukraine is capable of — demonstrating that we are invincible and strong in spirit. The strength of spirit and will of the Ukrainian soldier now amazes the world,” the Primate emphasized.
The UGCC Department for Information
