We thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for restoring the gift of freedom to Kherson, — Head of the UGCC on the 262 nd day of the war
The last day will go down in the history of Ukraine as the Day of Liberation of Ukrainian Kherson. Yesterday we watched with emotion the video of how the residents of Kherson and Kherson Oblast met the Ukrainian soldiers with flowers, Ukrainian flags, and, most importantly, tears of joy and with smiles that they are finally free. Today, on behalf of God’s people, I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for restoring the gift of freedom to Kherson and the entire right-bank Mykolaiv and Kherson region.
The Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, said n his daily military address on the 262 nd day of the great war.
“But the Lord gives us clear signs of His presence among us, signs that Ukraine is indefatiguable, day by day, approaching victory. And today, we can once again say: Ukraine stands! Ukraine is fighting! Ukraine is praying!” added the Head of the UGCC.
On this day, His Beatitude Sviatoslav continued to reflect on how the Church and society should take up the task of rebuilding the human heart and emphasized the need to work on oneself and learn constantly.
According to him, a person who does not study forgets and loses what he knew and could do. And the one who does not learn, does not work on himself, does not acquire knowledge, becomes superficial, indifferent, and even dangerous. Therefore, lack of knowledge, education, and too narrow a view of social life and processes, the Patriarch believes, will not just prevent the healing of Ukraine’s wounds but may also cause new injuries and cause further pain.
“Therefore, we need responsible persons in the state, leaders of public opinion, and even church figures to find an effective response to public demand and the need to obtain, replenish, and develop new knowledge from various humanitarian areas of human wisdom: ethics, bioethics, various humanitarian, philosophical and theological discipline to heal wounds, we must learn,” emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Primate drew attention to one more wound that cripples the body of Ukraine — our internal discords and divisions. “Unfortunately, the war also causes an increase in internal tension in Ukraine. People are becoming irritated and aggressive, and the number of conflicts within our communities is beginning to increase,” the Patriarch noted.
“Unity is the strength of the people. Thus, God, give us unity,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav added.
The UGCC Department for Information
