Warmth, Light, and Hope: His Beatitude Sviatoslav Meets with Vitali Klitschko
On January 30, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, together with Bishop Borys Gudziak, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Philadelphia, Fr. Lyubomyr Yavorsky, Patriarchal Economist, and Fr. Oleh Oleksa, Personal Secretary, visited the Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. The meeting became an opportunity to share information about the city’s most pressing needs, particularly regarding heating and energy supply, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the Church, city authorities, and international partners in order to support Kyiv residents during wartime.
During the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked the city authorities, utility workers, and energy workers for serving the people of Kyiv amid the war and constant shelling. “We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who are saving the city and serving the people to the best of their abilities. We live on the Left Bank, we see firsthand the price that is being paid,” emphasized the Head of the UGCC.
He stressed that the Church is an actively involved part of the capital’s community and is contributing to tackling humanitarian challenges. “All our communities and parishes are becoming centers of invincibility. Our Patriarchal Cathedral on the Left bank has opened a Point of Invincibility. People live there, warm themselves, and the generator works continuously,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Head of the UGCC also paid attention to the international dimension of church ministry. “The Church is a network of relationships. Communication is what creates the wave of solidarity. Christian solidarity is triumphing today,” he said, adding that the UGCC is actively informing the world about the real situation in Ukraine, in particular through contacts in Poland, other European countries, and the United States.
Addressing the mayor, Bishop Borys Gudziak highlighted the global presence of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church: “Wherever we are, Ukrainian identity is preserved. Every Sunday, our communities pray for Ukraine, raise funds, and advocate for the country.” He emphasized that the Church in the United States, particularly through charitable foundations, continues to mobilize aid for Ukraine and to bear witness to its struggle before the international community.
Bishop Borys stressed the importance of working with the Catholic community in the United States, which numbers 80 million believers, and assured his intention to strengthen support for Ukraine.
During the conversation, they also discussed the specific needs of the capital. According to Vitali Klitschko, the main goal of the enemy’s shelling is to demoralize society. “Their task is to break the will to fight, sow despair and mutual accusations. That is why it is extremely important to talk to people, explain and maintain unity. Today, we need words of hope from the Church,” said the mayor of Kyiv.
At the end of the meeting, the Head of the UGCC presented the mayor of Kyiv with a book entitled Ukraine stands! Ukraine fights! Ukraine prays! which contains a collection of daily addresses by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, delivered during the first year of the full-scale invasion. He also presented a commemorative medal issued on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the Kyiv Metropolia and the 20th anniversary of the return of the seat of the Head of the UGCC to Kyiv.
