Letter of Appeal by His Beatitude Sviatoslav to UGCC faithful on the occasion of conductig the Sixth All-Ukrainian Military Pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia

Already for five consecutive years the Marian Center in Zarvanytsia gathers  under the Intercession of the Blessed Mother a large number of members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Border Guards of Ukraine, State Penitentiary Services of Ukraine and other military units. This is an extraordinary event since it gathers all Ukrainian armed forces at  the feet of the Mother of God as one Christian community, every member who is ready to fulfilll his  obligation as a Christian depending on the specialty of his individual calling, in the foundation of which there exist fidelity and  loyalty to the Ukrainian people.  It is here that the armed forces brought and bring their petitions-prayers, in order to place them in the hands of the Heavenly Mother – the Patroness of Ukraine. 

This year, on September 20-21, the next Military Pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia will take place. Participants will include the representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, soldiers who took part in battles in the ATO zone, wounded servicemen, family members of the protectors of Ukraine.  This Pilgrimage will once more unite all the protectors in a spiritual center into a united community in order to raise their fortified prayers for peace and tranquility in the country, which the protectors are so assiduosly defending. 

Nurturing peace and its defense is not only the concern of the armed forces but it is  the obligation of every patrotic citizen. Simultaneously the calling of every Christian is to bring peace received from God and to share it with one's neighbors.   And this is why the Blessed Mother unites us all in this Pilgrimage so that all Ukrainians accept the peace granted by the Almighty: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” (John 14: 27).

Today we kindly invite all who are not indifferent, whose heart is open to nurturing peace, to unite with the armed forces in praying for peace and tranquility in Ukraine and in the world at the Pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia.  Especially, we are inviting the families of the  servicemen  to join the Pilgrimage.  This prayer will become a strong shield of protection and support for those who are in the front lines, whose health and life are in constant danger while they unwaiveringly stand in the service of peace.    

During the pilgrimage in addition to the support of troops by prayer, there will also be opportunity to provide the soldiers with material help.  A collection will be conducted for finances to support the needs of the servicemen in the ATO zone.

In uniting in the common cause of developing and nurturing peace, let us take to heart God's call to  us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Mathew 5:9)

We are peacemakers when we have the invincible shield – a sincere prayer to God for peace and tranquility.  Let us unite!  Let us come to the Zarvanytsia Mother of God and let us place into her hands our prayers-pleas for our people, our armed forces, and our peace.

Let us be Peacemakers!

 † SVIATOSLAV

Issued in Kyiv

at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ

on the Feast of Holy Martyrs Fotiy and Anykyt

August 25, Year of the Lord 2014