"Cross – is a symbol of victory over all evil and renewal of the Universe" - the Head of the UGCC during the setting of the Holy Shroud

Saturday, 19 April 2014, 06:30

April 18 in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, in Kyiv, the Shroud was exposed for veneration. The Divine Service was led by the Father and Head of the UGCC His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

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Bishop Bohdan (Dzyurakh), the Administrator of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC, and Josyph (Milian), the Assistant Bishop of Kyiv archdiocese of the UGCC coserved with him. His Beatitude Lyubomyr (Gusar), the Archbishop Emeritus of UGCC took part in the common prayer.

At the end of the service the Primate of the Church said that "cross – is a symbol of victory over all evil and renewal of the Universe". The preacher explained that Jesus absorbed like a sponge, evil, anger, contempt of the world. "And now, dying on the cross, the Saviour destroys all the evil", - stressed His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

According to the Head of the UGCC, the cross is also displayed as honest and life-giving. He recalled an event that took place in the house of Lazarus, when Mary, before the passion and the death of Jesus, breaking the alabaster bottle, poured it on the head of the Saviour. "So also Christ, dying on the cross for the whole world pours His divine grace" - said the Head of the UGCC. According to him, that is why we, Christians call the wounds of Jesus life-giving, "because of his wounds the divine life and blessing follows onto the world."

"Today, the eyes of every believer contemplate the face of the deceased, despised, and crucified on the cross, our Saviour. Christian heart trembles when he sees as Maria gets onto her hands the lifeless body of her Son. Disciples’ heart aches, because they have lost hope as something that they hoped for is now dead. In particular our Ukrainian people are experiencing the death of Jesus, the land of which is now torn", - said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

He also noted that from the wounds of the scourged and crucified Christ ran out blood and water: "This holy blood symbolizes the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and water - the Sacrament of Christening".

Finally, the UGCC wished every faithful "to survive that change, which the Church is experiencing today, to make all evil leave our hearts, homes and people".

UGCC Department of Information