“People divide because they do not comprehend unity or feel responsible for it" – His Beatitude Lubomyr

On Monday January 19, in the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God (Myl’nykivsko-Slobids’ka St, 5), His Beatitude Lubomyr, Head of the UGCC, began the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Talking to those participating in the prayers, His Beatitude Lubomyr noted in particular: "We human beings are called to make happen on the earth this unity which God enjoys: three persons – one God, absolute unity. Unity is the special sign of human beings. Only human beings can be indeed united. To be united is the greatest, the most worthy in all things of human nature, and that is why it is the most difficult to execute." According to the Head of UGCC the following are signs of unity: when people want to be together, respect each other, support and defend each other, and so on. An example of such unity is the Church, in which a community of human beings gathers together in order to live and interact. "Why do people divide?” – consequently asked the Head of the UGCC. He answered: “Because they do not comprehend unity or feel responsible for it. Living divided, we do not imitate the principle of the life of the Holy Trinity." On January 20 as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity the Department of the Patriarchal Curia of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Matters of Chaplaincy in the Power Structures of Ukraine jointly with the Synodal Administration for Spiritual and Patriotic Education in Connection with the Armed Forces and Other Military Formations of Ukraine of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate conducted a day of prayer for the unity of Christian soldiers. Representatives of the Department of Defense of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Internal Troops of Ukraine and the Government Border Service of Ukraine were invited to participate in the prayer. The prayer took place at the Church of the Holy Protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate [UOC-KP]. The prayer service was led by Bishop Mikhail (Koltun), head of the Department in Matters of Chaplaincy in the Power Structures of Ukraine, and Fr. Dmytro Sadoviyak, pastor of Holy Protection Church. With them concelebrated priests of the UGCC and UOC-KP. His Beatitude Lubomyr was also a participant of the joint prayer. It should be noted that on January 20 the Commission of the UGCC for Promoting Christian Unity promulgated an appeal which notes that the call to unity "requires extraordinary devotion and work from all Christian Churches, so that the desired unity gathers more visible forms of the undivided and single Church of Christ." The author of appeal is the head of Commission of the UGCC for Promoting Christian Unity, Dr. Ihor Shaban.

Information Department of the UGCC

Information On January 18-25, 2009, the Christian Churches of Ukraine for the third time now joined to the worldwide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which this year is being conducted under the motto “That they may become one in your hand!” Prayers are taking place in Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches of Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and other cities of Ukraine. This world practice is now celebrating its 41st year. The World Council of Churches initiated it together with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.