Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Week 241 of the War: The Situation in Oleshky Is Reminiscent of the Holodomor of 1932–33
For a Ukrainian teenager, life means air raid alerts, the loss of loved ones and homes, forced relocation, resettlement, separated families, and studying in shelters. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, spoke about this in his traditional video address during the 241st week of the Russian Federation’s violent, murderous, and sacrilegious war against Ukraine.
The temporarily occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
The Primate noted that this week was yet again a time of pain and trial for us. It was filled with intense fighting on the front lines and daily and nightly attacks on our peaceful cities and villages.
“Yet, despite this pain, one remarkable event took place. During another massive attack, the Russians struck a maternity hospital in Kyiv. Fortunately, no one was killed. But it was precisely then that a little boy was born—as a symbol of the birth of hope for our Ukraine. Therefore, first and foremost, we want to thank the Lord God for the lives saved,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
At the same time, the Head of the Church is making a particularly pressing appeal today to draw the world’s attention to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the town of Oleshky in the occupied part of the Kherson region.
“Oleshky has been deliberately blockaded. People are literally being held hostage and used as human shields in the frontline zone. What is happening today in Oleshky resembles the Holodomor in its nature, which Ukraine endured in 1932–1933,” said the Head of the Church.
The spiritual leader is calling on the international community to exert pressure on Russia to save human lives.
Read also:
Address by the Head of the UGCC for the 241st Week of the Full-Scale War, September 27, 2026
This year, for the first time following the decisions of the Synod of our bishops, our Church celebrated Teenagers’ Day: “The experience of teenagers in Ukraine is exceptional. Among them are children who have never seen a peaceful world. These are children who have lived their entire lives during wartime and hear about peace only through the stories of adults, their parents, and relatives. That is why it is so important today to surround Ukrainian adolescents with the pastoral care of the Mother Church.”
The UGCC Department for Information
