“The Savior reminds us today that Ukraine has always been and always will be, for He is present in Ukraine”: Head of the UGCC on Easter
Today we feel, especially we Ukrainians, that the story of the death and resurrection of Christ is not only about Him. It is also about each of us. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said in his Easter sermon at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ.
“The news that Christ is risen,” said the Head of the Church, “astounds people of all times and all nations — it astounds heaven, earth, and hades. That is why it was such a wonder for the myrrh-bearers to meet the Risen One — the Risen One whom they wanted to touch as a dead person; instead, they saw the Source of life.”
The Primate believes that by the power of the resurrection, a man finally begins to feel free from sin and death. Today, man ridicules death and ridicules hades.
“Today, our Lord,” says His Beatitude Sviatoslav, “reaches out His life-giving right hand, pierced by the crucifixion, to touch each of us. Today, in this feast, He touches the wounds of our weeping, devastated Ukraine. Christ touches the wounds that we carry on our bodies today, the ever-growing pain that Christ touches with his life-giving right-hand today.”
“This life-giving right hand, pierced by the crucifixion, touches the tears, pain, suffering, wounds, and even death that we go through and see every day in our destroyed cities and villages. As the Savior tells us today, ‘Ukraine was, is, and will be, for I am in Ukraine! I am your life force. I will lead you to life and resurrection,’” said the Head of the Church.
On this day, His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasizes that we not only believe but know that we will heal all our wounds because Christ is risen! We will rebuild all our destroyed cities and villages, which will be even better than before because Christ is risen!
“Today, we see and know that the power of the victorious Christ is, and will continue to be, the life force of the Ukrainian people. This power will give us the strength to triumph over those who seek to deprive us of our right to life and existence. And we will defeat him because Christ is risen!” said the Primate.
“May the resurrected Christ, who gave his disciples joy and peace, today give us such a long-awaited fullness of life in peace for our long-suffering Ukraine!” the Primate wished the faithful and all people of goodwill.
The UGCC Department for Information
