Video Message of the Head of the UGCC on the 210th Week of the Full-Scale War, February 22, 2026
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
This Sunday marks the 210th week of a terrible war — a war the world does not always remember; a war that brings new destruction and claims new victims among our people every day; a war that gives rise to new heroes who fight for their homeland and defend the right of our great nation of millions to exist.
Once again this week, our cities and villages came under targeted fire from various types of Russian weapons.
Yet we also received encouraging news that uplifted us all. Our President announced that in the south of our country, Ukrainian forces liberated approximately 300 square kilometers of territory. This means that we are not merely holding the line — we are advancing. Even in the cold winter, when we lack both light and heat, we do not lack the strength and the will to remain a free people and defend our freedom and dignity.
This week, the Ukrainian people also commemorated the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. In Kyiv, on Maidan Square and along Instytutska Street — where most of their blood was shed — a nationwide ecumenical prayer service was held. The sacrifice of the Heavenly Hundred marked a point of no return for Ukraine’s break with its Russian colonial past. These heroes forever established a new moral foundation for our society and state — a foundation upon which we seek to build our future. Remembering the heroes of the Revolution of Dignity, we move forward today with confidence.
Today we also thank all those who helped Ukraine stand firm this week — our young men and women on the front lines; our energy workers who tirelessly restore electricity and heat to our cities, villages, and homes; our rescuers and medics. Thanks to them, we are able to declare to the whole world: Ukraine stands. Ukraine fights. Ukraine prays.
I greet you from Brazil, from the Ukrainian-Brazilian city of Prudentópolis, which has a population of about 50,000, 75 percent of whom are of Ukrainian descent. This is the seat of our eparchy, and here we have witnessed a truly flourishing Ukrainian Catholic Church that continues to grow and develop. We have felt how deeply the Ukrainian community in Brazil empathizes with its homeland.
In addition to meeting with our church communities, organizations, monasteries, schools, and public institutions, we also had the opportunity to engage with representatives of the local Roman Catholic Church and to be the voice of Ukraine to wider Brazilian society. What the bishops of the Synod experienced was that Brazilian society as a whole knows what is happening in Ukraine, stands in solidarity with us, and cares deeply about our struggle.
At times, public sentiment is not fully reflected in the positions of Brazil’s political authorities, yet nationwide solidarity with Ukraine remains a source of encouragement that we bring back to our homeland.
This Sunday, after celebrating the Divine Liturgy in one of the oldest Ukrainian churches in Latin America, we went to the Shevchenko monument in Prudentópolis and sang the Ukrainian national anthem together, marking the solemn anniversary we are approaching — the fourth year since the full-scale invasion began.
We have felt how Ukrainian youth in Brazil stand with Ukraine — how they care, pray, and ask what they can do to help our country remain strong. They see themselves as fighters on the information front, striving to convey to Brazilian society the truth about what Ukraine is defending and what it is willing to sacrifice for — because there are values, such as dignity and freedom, that are eternal.
Today we express our gratitude to all those who have preserved our national and ecclesiastical heritage on this Brazilian soil. From the provinces of Paraná and Santa Catarina, a strong and confident Ukrainian voice resounds across Brazil.
Today, according to the Eastern Paschal cycle, we begin Great Lent. Together with our Orthodox brothers and sisters in Ukraine, we embark on this journey of repentance and forgiveness, which will lead us to the radiant feast of Christ’s Resurrection. In our tradition, this Sunday — Cheesefare Sunday — is known as Forgiveness Sunday. We embrace one another before the Lord and forgive everyone for any wrongs committed against us. And we say to our brothers and sisters: we forgive you and ask for your forgiveness.
We pray: O God, stop the war in Ukraine. Do not allow the fifth year of war to continue claiming the lives of Ukrainians.
O Lord, through our prayers, fasting, and repentance, hear the cries of Ukraine and bless our land with Your righteous and heavenly 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.
Glory to Jesus Christ!
