Videomessaggio del Capo e Padre della Chiesa greco-cattolica ucraina nella 225 ª settimana di guerra su vasta scala, 07 giugno 2026
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
This Sunday marks the 225th week of the great sacrilegious war that the Russian aggressor is waging against peaceful Ukrainian soil.
This week has been extremely difficult and violent. According to information we have received from official sources, combat operations have intensified along the entire front line. The Russians are losing more than a thousand soldiers every day, killed or wounded. Nevertheless, they continue to throw their forces into battle.
The very fact that we are alive, that Ukraine has withstood this week, is yet another miracle from God, and we are grateful to the Lord God and to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for having survived these past seven days.
Every day and every night this week, peaceful cities and villages came under attack from various types of Russian weapons. The heaviest strike took place on the night of June 1–2, and its epicenter, its primary target, was the city of Kyiv. More than 600 drones of various types were launched, along with nearly a hundred air-, ground-, and sea-launched missiles. Those missiles, designed to strike military targets, were instead directed against peaceful cities, villages, and the homes of our people.
Indeed, there was not a single empty seat in the Kyiv metro that night. Many people were killed in Kyiv and Dnipro, including children. Dozens more were wounded.
At the same time, Ukraine also experienced much of God's grace this week. A special event took place in Lviv, where the local community recognized the work and spiritual initiative of our Salesian fathers. An award was presented to Father Mykhailo Chaban, who introduced to Ukraine a new sport known today as AMP football. Veterans who survived the crucible of war, who lost a limb, have not only returned to active life but, through their example and their ability to prevail even in athletic competition, are inspiring millions of Ukrainians today.
A particularly remarkable member of this team is a young boy named Mykhailo. He too underwent an amputation, yet among those mighty veterans he serves as a motivator who restores their faith in their own strength.
This boy calls himself “the masseur of their spirit.” And when you see how the Spirit of God, reviving the human spirit, lifts a person out of despair and hopelessness, helping them rise from a sickbed after a severe injury, we clearly see that the resurrection of the dead is real. That is why Ukraine lives, fights, and hopes in God's power, which manifests itself even in our wounds and infirmities.
And so, once again today, we declare to the whole world: Ukraine stands. Ukraine fights. Ukraine prays!
Today, following the liturgical rhythm of the Eastern Church’s Paschal season, we celebrate All Saints’ Sunday. The spiritual focus of the Byzantine ecclesial tradition invites us to contemplate the fruits of the Descent of the Holy Spirit throughout the history of humanity.
Today we celebrate the memory of all the saints—of every age, nation, and culture—in whom the Holy Spirit has truly poured out God's holiness upon humanity. We see how, in Ukraine today, the power of the Holy Spirit reveals new forms of Christian holiness and new examples of heroism in the Christian faith.
Being holy in the midst of war is a profound challenge. Yet we see that today, amid the horrors of war, heroes of the Christian faith are being born through love for God and neighbor, and through active love for their homeland. To be holy in Ukraine today means being willing to lay down one's life in the name of God in order to save the life of another.
Today we call upon all the saints in heaven to come to the aid of our people and our soldiers, who are walking their own path to holiness and who already live in the communion of saints within Christ’s universal Church.
We pray: all you saints, pray for us. Help us to fight evil each day. Help us to prevail in that invisible battle against all that continues to claim and destroy human lives in Ukraine.
We implore you: all you saints, pray to Christ, the Prince of Peace, that this war may come to an end as soon as possible.
Lord, bless our long-suffering Ukraine and our people with Your just 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!
