UGCC Head on the 1000th Day of Full-Scale War: A Thousand Days of Death and a Thousand Days of Hope for Ukraine
Today marks the thousandth day of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, noted this in his traditional video address.
“It is fair to say that for a thousand days, the enemy has relentlessly sought to kill, destroy, and annihilate. But at the same time, this has been a period of great hope for the Ukrainian people. A thousand days of hope…,” said the Primate.
This hope, the spiritual leader assures, is not an empty sentiment.
“We see that Jesus Christ, God who became man, epitomizes the suffering of Ukrainian people in His body. It is He who is once again condemned to death, tortured, and killed. It is He who allows Himself to be imprisoned, who goes into captivity with Ukrainian soldiers. He is among those who are missing and those who have been wounded. Yet He has triumphed over evil, sin, and death, and has risen from the dead! Therefore, this great war is a thousand days of experiencing the power of the resurrected Christ within the body of the Ukrainian people. The resurrection is already pulsating in our veins today, and we await its fullness,” said the Head of the Church.
“We are a people,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav reminds us, “who rely on the power of the resurrected Savior and bear witness to this power daily in our personal history. That is why we now declare to the whole world: Ukraine stands, fights, and prays! Ukraine trusts in God’s power, which is revealed even through our wounds, tears, and grief! Ukraine is rising today with our risen Savior!”
This week, Christians of the Eastern rite began the Nativity Fast, commonly known as Pylypivka. It lasts 40 days and is a time of preparation to meet the newborn Savior in the celebration of Christmas.
“Let us dedicate the Nativity Fast,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav urged, “to prayer and fasting for our people’s victory over the darkness of war. Let us pray for our army, for all who weep, grieve, suffer, and are in desperate need of the long-awaited Savior, who will bring heavenly peace.”
The UGCC Department for Information
