Video-message of the Head of the UGCC on the 160th Week of Full-Scale War, March 9, 2025
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
The 160th week of this terrible war has ended, and Ukraine has completed the first week of Lent. Throughout the week, cities and villages endured nightly airstrikes from various types of Russian weaponry. In Kryvyi Rih, the Russians targeted a hotel where volunteers, including foreigners, were staying. At least two people were killed, and dozens were injured.
Every night, the Russians struck vital infrastructure in our cities and villages. In particular, the Odesa region was repeatedly left without electricity and heat. On Friday, another massive aerial assault took place, with Russian missiles and drones targeting our homeland. Around 260 aircraft attempted to strike gas and energy infrastructure.
Yet once again, a voice echoes from Kyiv to the world: Ukraine stands. To all those wondering how Ukraine is living today—we invite you to Kyiv. Come and witness with your own eyes, hear with your own ears: Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays. This week, Ukraine has once again dominated the headlines of online publications and television channels. Today, the eyes of the world are fixed on Ukraine. Amid political, international, diplomatic, and military developments, many experts argue that the global security order, established after World War II, has all but collapsed. A new European Union, a new security architecture for Europe—none of this is possible without Ukraine.
This is not merely a matter of military security. What is at stake are the very foundations of European civilization: its core values, human relationships, and the bonds between nations. Without these, not only Europe and Ukraine, but the entire world, cannot feel secure or envision a future.
Today, the world watches in awe as the Ukrainian people display extraordinary courage, love for their homeland, and an unwavering ability to defend not only their own dignity but also the very principles of humanity. This is why more and more nations around the globe are standing unequivocally with Ukraine.
The heroic love of the Ukrainian people continues to astonish the world. Those who recognize the depth of this self-sacrificing love truly abhor any kind of humiliation—certainly not for the sake of some illusory peace or vague agreements made at the cost of Ukrainian blood.
On behalf of this long-suffering but heroic nation, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who support Ukraine today. We thank all those who stand firmly with us in this time of trial.
First and foremost, we express our appreciation to the European Catholic Bishops and the representation of the European Bishops’ Conference to the European institutions, led by Archbishop Króczta. We thank the Vatican Secretariat of State, the Holy See, and especially Archbishop Paul Gallagher, who firmly declared that it was Russia that crossed into Ukraine with tanks—and that true peace is impossible without Ukrainians.
We pray for Pope Francis and thank him for his unwavering prayers for Ukraine, even from his hospital bed, as he calls upon the world to support our martyred nation.
These days, as we mark the first Sunday of Lent, Ukraine is also observing Shevchenko Days. At a time when our soldiers on the front, volunteers, diplomats, statesmen, and ordinary citizens alike reflect on our mission and destiny, the words of Ukraine’s great poet and prophet, Taras Shevchenko, resound more powerfully than ever.
Today, I want to quote Shevchenko, who wrote about fate—a theme that concerns each of us today:
“We’ve walked the straight path, you and I;We have not cheated, compromised, or lived the very slightest lie. So let’s march on, dear fate of mine! My humble, truthful, faithful friend! Keep marching on: there glory lies;March forward—that’s my testament.”
So let us march on. Our path may be difficult, arduous, and even bloody, but it leads us forward—to glory. To the glory where God’s power will be revealed through Ukraine before the whole world.
God, bless Ukraine. Bless the men and women on the frontlines, to whom we owe our very lives, and who keep us alive so that we may continue our spiritual battle during this Lent—against evil, against our own sins. O God, grant Ukraine Your just, heavenly peace, founded on truth, dignity, and freedom. O God, bless Ukraine with Your righteous peace.
The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and forever, and for the ages of ages. Amen.
