His Beatitude Sviatoslav Blesses Paskas and Easter Foods for Servicemen on the Front Lines
On the feast of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, blessed paskas and Easter dishes following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, which will be sent to Ukrainian defenders on the front lines. The blessing ceremony took place in front of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv.
“For our soldiers celebrating Christ’s Resurrection on the front lines, this is an opportunity to encounter holiness amid the most severe conditions, where death threatens both their hearts and their future,” the Primate emphasized.
Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky, the economist of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC, explains that the tradition of preparing Easter baskets for soldiers began in 2014, when he was the Chief Military Chaplain.
“Today, I am continuing this initiative through the Wise Cause charitable foundation so that the consecrated gifts, with the blessing of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, reach our defenders. I sincerely thank the chaplains, particularly Fr. Rostyslav Vysochan, who deliver this aid to the front lines. Special thanks to our partners—Halytska Svizhyna (Galician Freshness), and especially Taras Lysyi—for their cooperation,” he added.
Oleksandr Vovkotecha, head of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that military chaplains are traveling to the east alongside the military command to support the defenders, giving them the opportunity to confess, receive Holy Communion, and enjoy Easter foods.
“Easter symbolizes the victory of life over death and of light over darkness. Together with various churches and religious organizations, we are striving to deliver our Easter gifts to those defending Ukraine on the front lines. We hope that the Feast of Christ’s Resurrection will become a symbol of the victory of life over death, light over darkness, and the victory of Ukraine,” added Fr. Rostyslav Vysochan, chief specialist of the military chaplain training department.
