“The volcanic explosion that occurred in Ukraine will shake the whole of Europe,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav
During a meeting with young people in Lviv on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Ukrainian Youth for Christ movement, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, shared his thoughts on whether the war in Ukraine will have an impact on the further development of Europe.
“I am convinced that the Europe, Ukraine, and Russia that had existed before the war are gone,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, “we should not be wistful for it. If someone thinks that Ukraine after the war will only return to everything that was before, it is an illusion. We can be much better.”
The Patriarch emphasized that Europe is experiencing a belated shock and has not yet realized that the war in Ukraine is not just a war for Ukraine. It is a war in Europe. In addition, he noted that Ukrainian youth is growing faster than young people in peaceful and prosperous countries. Because of the war, children lose their childhood and grow up quickly. But according to the Head of the Church, these changes, the volcanic explosion that occurred in Ukraine, will shake the whole of Europe.
“Sometimes it hurts us when we feel that many people in Europe do not understand Ukraine,” said the Primate, “and it is not only about secular but also church leaders. On the other hand, I fear those who consider themselves experts. Therefore, Europe will change, and we will catalyze these changes. Just as a hot stone heats a whole water vessel, Ukraine will heat Europe and make it different.”
On July 23, the UGCC youth community, Ukrainian Youth for Christ, celebrated its 90th anniversary. On the occasion of its jubilee congress, celebrations were held in Lviv, which began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Sophia, the Wisdom of God, on the UCU campus, led by the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav. On its 90th anniversary, UYC received a patriarchal charter, enabling it to perform as a global youth organization of the Church. After the Liturgy, the Patriarch talked to the youth.
The UGCC Department for Information
