Today Ukrainian Youth Once Again Defend Their Homeland Against Russian Aggressor: Head of the UGCC on the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of Kruty
January 29 is the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of Kruty in Ukraine, the day of memory of the students from Kyiv who rose to defend their city and heroically gave their lives for their homeland. Unfortunately, history repeats itself. Today, as it was before, Ukrainian youth, girls and boys, Ukrainian defenders are once again defending their homeland from the Russian aggressor, stated the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, in a video address to the participants of the prayer breakfast held in Washington, DC, as part of Ukrainian Week 2024.
Memorial cross to the Heroes of Kruty at Askold’s grave, photo: Office of the President
His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized the global importance of acknowledging that today, Ukraine is undergoing one of the greatest disasters of modern history — the largest military conflict since World War II.
The Head of the Church then addressed the partners in the United States, pointing to Russia’s war crimes against civilians and underscoring that the war in Ukraine is not a Ukrainian war but a war that will impact every citizen of the world.
“Today, we want our friends in this great country to hear that indifference kills millions while solidarity saves millions of lives, especially in Ukraine,” said the Primate, “We express our gratitude to everyone who stands in solidarity with Ukraine today. We kindly ask that American society does not turn the war in Ukraine into the subject of political battles.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized that according to the data of various public organizations, the Russians have already destroyed more than 600 religious buildings: churches, houses of worship, synagogues, and mosques. Twenty-five clergymen of different denominations have been killed, and 20 are in captivity.
Addressing the participants of the prayer breakfast in Washington, the Patriarch noted that Ukrainians rely on the support of the entire international community, including the United States: “Let us do everything to ensure that friendship and cooperation between the American and Ukrainian peoples grow and develop.”
“I wish that during this Ukrainian week, we could speak to each other heart-to-heart and work to ensure that the strength of the powerful does not undermine the power of the law—the law of God and the law of love,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the UGCC.
The UGCC Department for Information
