“Today let us sing and rejoice, for God is with us”: the Head of the UGCC greeted Ukrainians on Christmas
This is the second time we are celebrating Christmas during the war. We ask ourselves: can we rejoice? How can we connect the pain, tears, and suffering of wartime with the light, joy, and hope of a great holiday?
His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, began his Christmas greeting with these questions.
According to the Head of the UGCC, the Lord Himself wants to answer this question today. “In the Holy Scriptures, a sign of God’s presence with His people is the birth of a child. The prophet Isaiah said: ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.’ Immanuel means ‘God is with us!’” told His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
He explained that “in the present times of darkness, sorrow, and suffering, when we grow weary, and our strength wanes, the Lord Himself gives us a sign of hope — we find a child in a manger, the Son of God, who still comes to be born in the body and blood of our people.”
“Today, He is again our strength, fortitude, and light. Therefore, let us not be afraid to rejoice on this holy, great day!” the Primate of the Church called.
The Head of the UGCC congratulated everyone on the great and joyful holiday of Christmas.
“I extend my heartfelt greetings from all of Ukraine to our soldiers celebrating Christmas in the darkness of trenches and dugouts. We also remember the children, who are not celebrating in nativity scenes, yet find themselves in shelters and basements, hearing rockets and shells exploding overhead.”
“However, let us rejoice and sing today because God is with us! Merry Christmas and a happy, victorious New Year!” the Head of the UGCC emphasized at the end of his greeting.
The UGCC Department for the Information
