Video-message of His Beatitude Sviatoslav. June 6. 103 th day of the war

Today is Monday, June 6, 2022, and Ukraine is already living 103 days of great and bloody war. On this 103rd day, the Ukrainian people are fighting against the Russian invader, who came to our land to destroy, kill, and steal.

Heavy fighting is going on all along the front line. We hear that the enemy is trying to attack the Luhansk region in particular. But the Ukrainian Severodonetsk is holding on heroically. Our army is beginning to liberate this Ukrainian city. Although the enemy is relentlessly striking everything that his murderous hand can reach.

In recent days, Ukraine was shocked that the Sviatogorsk Lavra of the Moscow Patriarchate was targeted and partially destroyed. Monks were killed, and civilians who had taken refuge there from Russian bombs were killed. It is clear that there is nothing sacred for the Russian occupier. Just yesterday, our Kharkiv was heavily shelled. Kharkiv, which is trying to regain somewhat a bit of peace, The entire territory of Ukraine is vulnerable to Russian missiles, which continue to hit various parts of Ukraine. Thus, no city, no part of Ukraine can be considered entirely safe.

But Ukraine stands strong. Ukraine is fighting. Ukraine is trying to wrap its wounded sons and daughters in its love. Unfortunately, we know that more than 6 million people have been forced to leave their motherland today. About 8 million people are considered internally displaced persons, displaced whom we try to accept, help and serve as much as we can. But Ukraine stands its ground. Ukraine is fighting. For it stands and relies on the One Stone, the cornerstone, the unshakeable Stone, which is our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today is the 4th day of the decade of missionary work. As we await the coming of the Holy Spirit, according to the Julian calendar, we begin this new week in anticipation of the encounter with this messenger of God, the most gentle guest of our souls. He who makes our piety fruitful and gives depth to our spiritual life. Today's Gospel speaks of Christ as the True Vine. Christ says: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser, and you are the branches.

Therefore, we pray that this vine of Christ, which was planted in the land of Ukraine more than 1000 years ago by Prince Volodymyr, will continue to grow, develop and give new sprouts. Because in praying for the ecclesial mission of our local Church in Kyiv, we pray that this vine of more than 1000 years will continue to give new prunings. And we all want to bear good fruit on this vine. Christ said, "Without me, you can do nothing." Because our actions are fruit, the Holy Spirit is the binding force that binds the branches to this vine. The Holy Spirit is the vital, inner force, the sap that flows through this vine and allows us to be fruitful in our spiritual, Christian life, to bear good fruit. It is why Christ says: "Without Me, you can do nothing." But he also warns that every shoot, every branch that does not bear good fruit will be removed. Because when we reject the Holy Spirit, when we reject divine grace, we dry up like a branch, which unfortunately can dry up even on a good vine. Every sin dries up our souls and makes us sterile.

And today, we see that some bear fruit in Ukraine, and others come here to reveal themselves as dry branches on this vine, although they call themselves Christians.

It is a great scandal in the face of the whole world that Christians who try to take over the tradition of the Kyiv Church come from Muscovy to murder other Christians on the land of Kyiv.

Today we ask, "Lord, purify your vineyard in Ukraine." We also pray for our enemies that they do not dry up their souls with their crimes against the Ukrainian people. Today we pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit for all.

O God, make us fruitful branches in Your vineyard. May our heavenly Father cleanse us, even if this cleansing means a painful experience. Because the vintner must prune the vine so that it is fruitful every time and not become wild again. And sometimes, at the moment of such a pruning, the vine weeps, just as Ukraine weeps today. But let this moment turn into a moment of maturation into fertility.

O God, make fruitful the mission of proclaiming the Word of God of our church. Sustain the new growth on Your ancient vine. Bless Ukraine. Bless the Ukrainian army. Bless all those who believe in You, who wait for the coming of Your Holy and life-giving Spirit.

May the blessing of the Lord be upon you with His grace and love for humanity forever and ever. Amen

Glory to Our Lord Jesus Christ!

+ Sviatoslav