Doctor killed by Russians in Kherson is the face of present-day Ukrainian medicine: Head of the UGCC in the 77th week of war
We were all horrified by an event in Kherson a few days ago — the enemy killed a young otolaryngologist, Dmytro Bilyi, just on his first day at work. Dmytro wanted to work in Kherson to save the lives of people who constantly live under the bomb and missile attacks of the Russians. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said this in a traditional video message on the 77th week of Russia’s full-scale military aggression against the peaceful Ukrainian people.
Photo: Ministry of Health of Ukraine
“He died at his workplace, and a nurse beside him was seriously injured. This young doctor who gave his life serving the sick in Ukraine is a symbol, the face of modern Ukrainian medicine. During the full-scale war, 177 healthcare facilities were destroyed, and nearly 1,500 were damaged. According to official data, 146 healthcare specialists were killed, 33 of them at the workplace,” the Primate emphasized.
According to him, we are now at the peak of the confrontation. Very intense fighting is occurring along the entire front line. Blood is being shed. The enemy is constantly shelling peaceful towns and villages in Ukraine. He is trying to destroy not only the port infrastructure on the Black Sea coast but also at the mouth of the Danube River.
“The Holy Father recognized the act of destroying Ukrainian grain a sin that calls to heaven. Russia is trying to kill everything that can help us feed hungry people around the world. But may the world hear: Ukraine is standing, Ukraine is fighting, Ukraine is praying!” said the Head of the Church.
The Primate reminded us that Ukraine prays especially for medical workers every year on August 9 (Julian calendar). This year we will celebrate the Day of the Medical Worker for the last time in the old style. He believes it is a beautiful opportunity for us, as a nation, as a Church, and as grateful patients, to thank the medical workers who save human lives in emergencies, in war.
Today we say ‘Thank you!’ to our precious healthcare workers: doctors, paramedics, nurses. We thank our combat doctors who save the lives of those who defend our homeland.
“A few months ago,” said the spiritual leader, “in January, when the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches paid a visit to the Holy Father, we handed over to Pope Francis a list of 41 captured medical workers illegally held in Russian captivity. Unfortunately, none of them has been rescued yet. Let us remember them all in prayer.”
“We,” he said, “are asking ourselves today: how can we not get tired of defending human life? Perhaps Europe and the world are asking themselves: how not to get fatigued by the war in Ukraine? This question is answered by the famous writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who said that true love is inexhaustible. Because when someone loves and gives, then love multiplies. So let us learn not to get exhausted by love, not to be afraid to share our love. Shared love multiplies — this is the nature of Divine love, revealed to us by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself!”
The UGCC Department for Information
