From the Head of the UGCC: I see victory of Ukraine in the eyes of priests and volunteers

Tuesday, 22 March 2022, 21:07

“As I spoke with our military chaplains, I truly felt the pain in their eyes and hearts for the fallen soldiers and wounded civilians,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, remarked in his daily wartime address on the 27th day of the Russian war against Ukraine.

See also:

Shameless theft at the state level, - His Beatitude Sviatoslav on Russia’s attempted annexation of four regions of Ukraine
War denies the paramount human right – to life, - the Head of the UGCC at the meeting of the VRCiRO with the ombudsman
From the Head of the UGCC at the Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary: We are starting the new academic year with great trust in the Lord

“Looking into the eyes of our priests and volunteers, I saw Ukraine’s victory. Because they work for it, they live for it. They actually live in our churches. I saw a priest spending the night in the sacristy next to the holy altar, and all the volunteers with him, who are trying to serve. And the whole church is crammed with humanitarian aid -- people constantly streaming in to receive the basics,” he added.

The Primate noted that although the cruel, unjust, bloody, and deadly war has been going on for 27 days, spring has come to Ukraine, warming our land with its embrace. With hope in God, in His strength, protection, and support, we defend our land.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav today expresses deep gratitude to our priests and volunteers who tirelessly serve their people at this moment.

He noted that His Holiness Pope Francis, has commented that our people have no lack of closeness with their priests.

“Especially today we are praying for our bishops in Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Odessa… I visited our priests in the territory of the Kyiv Archdiocese, which today is in the line of fire. Here we have occupied towns and villages, and part of the diocese has become a service area that receives refugees from hotspots; everyone is able to find the help they need,” the Archbishop stated.

According to him, our parishes in the regions of Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia in particular, have become humanitarian centers that try to deliver aid to where it is most needed.

The Head of the Church thanked all those who collect humanitarian aid for Ukraine. “I want to assure you that every cent of yours, every gift of yours, has reached its addressee and found the specific person for whom you have performed an act of mercy,” he said.

“Today we are praying that the Lord, together with the spring sun, will send peace to Ukraine. Let the war stop! We are praying for Ukraine!” His Beatitude Sviatoslav asked.

The UGCC Department of Information