From the Head of the UGCC on the 76th day of the war: By opening the doors of our homes to refugees, we worship Jesus Christ himself

Wednesday, 11 May 2022, 10:31

I would like to thank all those who opened their hearts and homes to Ukrainian refugees. In this way you worship Christ himself, Who is present among you. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said in his daily address on the 76th day of russia's war against Ukraine.

See also:

Shameless theft at the state level, - His Beatitude Sviatoslav on Russia’s attempted annexation of four regions of Ukraine
War denies the paramount human right – to life, - the Head of the UGCC at the meeting of the VRCiRO with the ombudsman
From the Head of the UGCC at the Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary: We are starting the new academic year with great trust in the Lord

“Special thanks to those of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who share the last things for accepting forcibly displaces persons”, added the Head of the Church.

The Primate noted that the last day and night were very difficult in Ukraine. Fierce fighting is taking place along the entire front line in the east and south. They were especially difficult yesterday in Luhansk region, where a large number of troops gathered on both sides and it was impossible to evacuate the civilian population. Odesa and Odesa region were hit by a brutal rocket attack yesterday. Many people were forced to flee their homes and escape from the scourge of the war.

“But Ukraine is struggling. Ukraine is standing. The Ukrainian army bravely defends the Motherland. And it surprises the whole world”, said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

On this day, the spiritual leader reflected on the important work of mercy for the body of a neighbor – to shelter the homeless.

According to him, hospitality to those who travel, special attention and mercy to those who have lost their home and forced to seek a better fate in a foreign land have long been one of the important ways of worship.

Jesus Christ taught His disciples that when He comes a second time in glory, sitting on the throne as a judge, He will say: “I was a stranger and you took Me in”.

“Thus things we do for a stranger, the hospitality with which we embrace the homeless is the worship of God himself. Jesus Christ accepts this reverence shown to Him our God and the Savior”, he said.

The Head noted that now, during the war, millions of Ukrainians were left homeless. According to the United Nations, more than 12 million Ukrainians have already fled their homes and more than five million have left their homeland to seek protection and support abroad.

Today, the spiritual leader assumes, there is no free Ukrainian city that would not accept refugees. “It is so important that we see the person of Christ himself in everyone to whom we open our home and who seek refuge in us”, encouraged the Head of the Church.

The UGCC Department for Information