From the Head of the UGCC on Day 81 of the war: I beg all intellectuals of the world: Do not be silent!

“According to the latest reports, more than 170,000 civilians in Mariupol are suffering from severe starvation. Our troops heroically defend the city every day. It is completely surrounded. People of good will cry out to the whole world to save those who today stand in the way of the Russian aggressor’s plan, as Ukraine’s victory is being forged in Mariupol,” stated the Head of the UGCC.

“Therefore, I appeal to all those who have the power to save the people of this city of Mary: do your job!” – exclaimed the Archbishop, adding the assurance that the UGCC is praying and doing all in its power to save those who are on the verge of starvation while tons of Russian bombs fall on them daily.   

Continuing a series of reflections on the spiritual works of mercy, His Beatitude Sviatoslav reflected on the next act of charity – to instruct the ignorant.

According to the Primate, teaching those who need instruction, sharing knowledge, skills, and technological advances is, on the one hand, an act of charity, and on the other, the way of real progress and development for mankind. The Head of the UGCC called the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood and good from evil "the key to true happiness."

“Yet for this skill to be truly developed, it must be learned. And today I especially want to thank the teachers and educators, who by removing ignorance and enlightening their students, serve them and thus fulfill a work of mercy,” the Archbishop stated.

The Father and Head of the UGCC thanked all the volunteers who help refugees from Ukraine to learn the language, laws, and customs of the people and country to which they have arrived, due to the war. “I thank all those who share their skills and knowledge. Today we especially want to thank teachers, professors – all those who cooperate in this spiritual work of mercy towards others. Especially today we want to remember parents who have a duty to raise their children, to teach them the Christian faith. Because it is not enough to pass on life; the younger generations still need to be taught to live,” emphasized the Head of the UGCC.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav also addressed intellectuals, scientists and academics of the modern world: “We see that the war in Ukraine has a clear ideological component. Besides destroying the cities and villages of Ukraine, the enemy is also destroying the souls of not only Ukrainians, but people all over the world, seducing them with lies, and using negative statements or words associated with past evils to name what is happening in Ukraine.”

Today, the Primate continued, Russia's goal in Ukraine is "de-nazification." But in reality, it is the genocide of the Ukrainian people, which was openly delineated in certain manuals.

“God bless Ukraine! O God, You are our Teacher. You have revealed Yourself as the One Who came to teach us, to reveal the Truth to us, to give us eternal life. You are the Teacher of life, we are Your disciples. We call You Teacher, we want to imitate You in our lives, bless Your disciples!

God bless Ukraine! God bless our army! Bless our people, teachers, volunteers and all those who teach the words of Your Truth today,” prayed the Ukrainian spiritual leader.

The UGCC Department of Information