Head of UGCC visited Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome

Monday, 15 October 2018, 15:25

October 11, His Beatitude Sviatoslav took part in a prayer of Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome at Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. In his biblical reflection Head of UGCC was talking about “being faithful in prayer” for peace in Ukraine and worldwide.

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Thinking over a Gospel verse from Luke 11, 5-13, the Major Archbishop referred to its two aspects: “On the one hand we see God who always hears our prayers and is ready to help us out, and on the other hand it is kind of an invitation to be faithful in prayer”. However, “people of the third millennium very often treat God as a “click” on a keyboard, a swift and immediate action, as if it is some sort of a modern technology. Whereas, our Lord is not a typebar at all”, His Beatitude Sviatoslav pointed out.

“Our perseverance in prayer is an essential attribute of our spiritual growth. Starting our prayer with asking God for things we need – we have to grow up spiritually, so to accomplish our prayer with words “Thy will be done”. Since God wishes to give us Himself, not only what He has”.

As an example, Head of UGCC pictured a history of Ukrainian people, who, for five years have been praying to God daily for peace in Ukraine. And I want to tell you that this prayer for ending war helps our people to grow spiritually”.

Concluding his speech, Head of UGCC called community of Sant’Egidio to “be faithful” in prayer for peace in Ukraine.

For reference, community of Sant’Egidio was born 50 years ago as a laity initiative of a catholic direction, which one of the priorities is to build peace in a contemporary world. The community is also developing rapidly in Ukraine.

Secretariat of the Head of UGCC in Rome