Seeing Soldiers As Idols Means Dishonoring Them, His Beatitude Sviatoslav
The Armed Forces of Ukraine represent individuals in action, and it is natural to project specific notions about God onto them. We must support the Armed Forces, yet it is crucial not to idealize them, as doing so may lead to disappointment. Seeing soldiers as idols and projecting high hopes onto them can lead to disappointment and disrespect.
This is how His Beatitude Sviatoslav commented on the widespread expression, “I no longer believe in God; I believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” in an interview with Ukrayinska Pravda.
Sometimes we tend to place the entire burden of the war on the Armed Forces, said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. There is still a part of Ukrainian society that thinks that the war is not their concern.
“The defense of the Motherland must be a national affair,” said the Primate, “and therefore, we must feel our commitment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We must do everything so that we as a nation can win that war. Otherwise, we dishonor the Armed Forces.”
The Patriarch called for putting God first in life, and everything else will fall into place, including respect and support for the Armed Forces.
The UGCC Department for Information
