The sun never sets on our prayer for you: The Head of the UGCC congratulated Valerii Zaluzhnyi on his 50th birthday
The Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, personally and on behalf of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, congratulated the Honorable General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on his 50th birthday, which he celebrates on the 500th day of the full-scale war.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, photo: president.gov.ua
“We prayerfully thank God for the gift of your life and service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We also thank the Lord for all the talents and skills He has bestowed upon you and with which you serve the Ukrainian people,” the congratulatory letter reads.
The Head of the Church noted: “You are celebrating this anniversary as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine when they are taking the most difficult exam — counteracting a numerous enemy who, in violation of all laws, wants to destroy the Ukrainian people, to wipe our memory from the face of the earth. However, victory is ours because we stand on the side of truth!”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav remarked that millions of our compatriots have high hopes for the birthday celebrant and his professionalism.
“Both those who are executing your orders with arms in hand at the cost of their own lives, and those who are waiting for liberation in the territories occupied by the enemy, as well as those who are working at their jobs, support our state and its defenders. Your courage, perseverance, determination, and bravery in resisting the aggressor inspire our hearts to believe in victory and that a just peace will soon come to the tormented land. Our prominent countrymen — princes, hetmans, generals who lived and fought for Ukraine — are praying for you from heaven,” the Primate wrote in his letter.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav assured General Zaluzhnyi that every day in the churches of the UGCC during Divine Liturgies and other services, a prayer for the Ukrainian army and its command is offered to the Lord. “The sun never sets on this prayer because the faithful of our Church support this prayer rotation far abroad,” he emphasized.
The Head of the UGCC thanked the Commander-in-Chief for his great love for the Motherland. “We wish you perseverance in serving the people of Ukraine, strength, and health. May the Holy Spirit bless your every decision that will liberate our land from the enemy!” His Beatitude Sviatoslav wished.
The UGCC Department for Information
