Video Message of the Head of the UGCC on the 200th Week of the Full-Scale War, December 14, 2025
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
This Sunday marks the 200th week of the large-scale war in Ukraine—200 weeks of daily bombings, mass killings of civilians, innocent elderly people, women, and children; the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities; and at the same time, 200 weeks of tremendous resistance by the Ukrainian people and their struggle for freedom and independence.
However, perhaps the most significant global event this week—particularly for all Christians—was the meeting between His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. All of Ukraine followed this meeting closely. Today, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Pope Leo for his support of Ukraine and for emphasizing the need for a just peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.
We are especially grateful that the Holy Father has clearly stated that this war is a war in Europe. European countries are not only responsible for participating in the development of a peace plan to end this war and for seeking ways to achieve a just and lasting peace, but Europe itself must also take responsibility for the future of this continent.
We would also like to thank the Holy Father for reminding the world that the Constitution of Ukraine exists and that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our homeland must be respected as fundamental principles on which a just peace can and must be built. We are grateful that the Holy See is making every effort to help secure the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, as well as to return abducted Ukrainian children to their homes.
Today, once again, we declare to the whole world that, with the support of the entire international community and all people of good will who respect the dignity of human life and international law, Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays.
This week in Australia, specifically in two cities—Melbourne and the Australian capital, Canberra—sessions of the Permanent Synod of Bishops of our Church took place and concluded. We had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Australian government, as well as with our brothers and sisters of the Catholic Church in this country. We visited various communities, parishes, and Ukrainian institutions, and we felt how the people of Australia support Ukraine.
It was very pleasant to walk through the streets of Melbourne in the evening and meet ordinary people who asked, “Where are you from?” And we proudly replied, “We are from Ukraine.” Young people in Australia responded, “Glory to Ukraine!” We truly felt that although this country is far from Europe, it is close to the suffering and pain of our people.
We also wish to express our gratitude to all the wonderful people who pray for Ukraine every day in churches across Australia, in different languages, asking that righteous, heavenly peace be sent to our homeland as soon as possible.
We were pleased to hear that Australia—particularly the Catholic Church in Australia—is ready to support the humanitarian projects of our Church. We heard many good things about the Patriarchal Foundation “Wise Cause” as an institution, an instrument of service to people in need in Ukraine. We remain determined to emphasize that, according to UN data, 12.5 million Ukrainians require immediate humanitarian assistance. However, given the resources currently available to UN humanitarian agencies, only half of those in need can receive such assistance. The rest must be cared for by people of faith, particularly Catholics around the world.
We felt that the Universal Church is ready to support our efforts to serve those in need in Ukraine. And the grateful Ukrainian people remember and pray for all those who have shown kindness and solidarity toward us and hasten to help Ukrainians.
Therefore, from here, from this warm and summery Australia, we pray: Lord, bless Ukraine! Bless our young men and women on the front lines! Lord, bless the Holy Father, Pope Leo, who embraces the suffering children of Ukraine. Help the entire international community find the necessary ways to stop the aggressor, support all those in need of help, heal the wounds of the injured, find all those who are missing, and heal all those whom this war has most grievously afflicted.
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.
