His Beatitude Sviatoslav. April 4. 40th day of war

Today is 4 April 2022 and Ukraine has been going through the fortieth day of this terrible, bloody war.

A mountain of corpses, rivers of blood, a sea of ​​tears – these are the three words that today describe the icon of contemporary Ukraine. And the level, the depth of this pain is only growing every day.

The war continues. Bloody battles continue in the North, East, and South of Ukraine. The so-called missile terrorism continues, because every night our cities are fired upon by Russian cruise missiles, which destroy houses, kill people, destroy the critical infrastructure of the economy, the economy of Ukraine. Last night they struck Ternopil, Odesa, Mykolaiv.

Ukraine is suffering. But Ukraine is fighting. 

Ukraine shows the whole world that there are some values ​​- such as love for the homeland, love for God and neighbour — for which it is worth giving your life, because it is the road to immortality. We feel more and more that the struggle of Ukraine is a spiritual struggle against evil, against the devil and his servants. And we see that all the rules of spiritual invisible warfare today are the reality of the Christians of Ukraine.

We know very well that in order to overcome evil, it is not enough to fight against sin. You need to assert and do good. It is not enough to complain about the darkness. You need to light at least one candle. Therefore, evil can be successfully fought with good habits. And we know that our vices and sins must be overcome by opposing virtues. For example, pride is fought through humility, avarice is healed by sacrifice, laziness is treated by diligence.

Today we see horrible footage. Terrible images of everything that the occupier left on Ukrainian soil. We see mass graves of people who were shot in the back of the head. We see destroyed cities and villages. We see mutilated human destinies. That is why we must get to work and fight.

If the enemy kills us, sows death – let us serve life, honour human life from conception to natural death.

We see that today the enemy is robbing Ukrainians, robbing, looting. Let us instead be benefactors. Let us be generous and support those who need works of Christian charity.

We see that the enemy is destroying everything. Let us build, get to work.

We know very well that in order to be victorious, Ukraine needs to survive, not only on the battlefield, but also needs to rebuild and heal our economy, which has already suffered by 50%.

So, today is Monday, let’s get back to business. Let’s get to work. I appeal to our refugees and forcible displaced persons: Get to work. Let’s create new jobs together. Let’s look for work. Because to work, to have the right to work, belongs to the dignity of the human person.

To all those who accept forcibly displaced persons: Let us create conditions for decent work for them. So that we can strengthen our State together.

It is spring in Ukraine. Let us do everything to make the sowing season happen, because the Ukrainian land is ready to feed our people. We just need to put our hands and efforts to the task.

Today I want to appeal to everyone who feels that they can do something good. Let us do good and then evil will be defeated.

Thank you to all those who today support and pray for Ukraine, show solidarity with us, do us good. May the Lord God generously reward everyone a hundredfold.

O God, bless Ukraine! Bless the Ukrainian people! Wipe away the tears of those who mourn! Console those who grieve! O God, grant Ukraine peace!

May the blessing of the Lord be upon you through His grace and love for humankind, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Glory to Jesus Christ!