Video-message of the Head of the UGCC on the 147th Week of Full-Scale War, December 8, 2024
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
The 147th week of the immense tragedy caused by the full-scale invasion of our homeland by Russian troops has passed. These have been 147 weeks of God’s remarkable miracle. Ukraine, like David facing Goliath, continues to stand and fight—comforted by the extraordinary grace of God and the broad international support extended to our nation during this tragic time.
This week was marked by significant events and challenging circumstances. Heavy fighting continues along the entire front line. Every day, funeral processions pass through our towns and villages as we bid farewell to our fallen soldiers. Our people kneel in tribute to defenders who gave their lives for our freedom, our ability to live, and our opportunity to serve God and Ukraine.
On December 6, we observed the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine—a time for special prayer for our defenders. Yet, this week also brought relentless attacks, particularly in the Donetsk region. Night after night, hundreds of enemy drones struck our cities and villages, even reaching Ternopil in western Ukraine—a city once considered safe. Lives were lost, homes destroyed, and families shaken. The enemy continues to target the infrastructure that keeps our cities running, leaving many without heat and light during the bitter cold.
Despite this, we celebrated St. Nicholas Day—a holiday of love, kindness, and solidarity. Even in these trying times, we sought to surround our children with warmth and attention.
This week was a struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, but it was also a testament to God’s great power. It concluded with a momentous event in the life of our Church: the enthronement of a new archbishop and metropolitan in the wounded city of Ternopil. We warmly congratulate Bishop Teodor Martyniuk and extend heartfelt gratitude to Metropolitan Emeritus Bishop Vasyl Semeniuk, a hero of the underground Church, for his devoted service.
Where sin abounds, God’s grace is greater. Where pain is deepest, His presence is strongest. Where the enemy spreads death, Christ grants the power to live.
And so, we proclaim today: Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays.
This week, we celebrated St. Nicholas Day, a remarkable holiday deeply rooted in the tradition of the Kyivan Church, which Ukraine proudly shares. According to this tradition, it is Saint Nicholas who brings Christmas gifts to children. This makes the holiday one of immense care and love for our little ones, especially during these challenging times. Children are the most vulnerable group in society during war. Unlike adults, they experience the grief and pain of losing loved ones and homes more acutely. War robs them of their childhood.
As Pope Francis has often reminded us, children of war have forgotten how to smile. That is why St. Nicholas Day became an opportunity to envelop these children, now children of war, with love, care, and support. We did everything in our power to make them smile again.
In our Patriarchal House in Lviv, the residence of St. Nicholas was opened. It is heartwarming to see the house of the Head of the Church filled daily with children’s laughter. Hundreds of children have come to experience encounters with kindness and joy, to feel the special attention of the Church, and to embrace the anticipation of Christmas.
Similarly, this week, we opened the St. Nicholas space at our patriarchal residence in Kyiv, near the Patriarchal Cathedral. Each day, hundreds of children from across Ukraine visit this welcoming home. We wanted the house of the Head of the Church to be a welcoming place for children during this difficult time.
We welcomed children of our fallen Ukrainian defenders, children whose parents are still on the frontlines, children from displaced families, refugee children, and orphans. Many of them no longer have places of joy and laughter in their lives. St. Nicholas, as an icon of God’s love, allowed us to surround these children with care. We saw how children, feeling the love of their Church and their nation, begin to heal and grow. It is only through God’s love that we gain the strength to thrive.
Today, we pray: God, bless the children of Ukraine!
O Lord, grant us the strength and grace to reflect Your love to the smallest and most wounded among us. Bless our children, protect our men and women on the frontlines, and help us remain humane in these harsh times. Teach us to love, to give, and to bring light and warmth to those in darkness and cold.
God, bless Ukraine with Your just and heavenly peace!
The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and forever, and for the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to Jesus Christ!
