“We Are Here Together to Rejoice in the Birth of Our Savior, in Whom We Find Hope and Victory for Ukraine” — His Beatitude Sviatoslav to the Children
On December 12, the Head of the UGCC and the bishops of the Permanent Synod met with children at the Residence of St. Nicholas, located in the Patriarchal Center of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv.
Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Most Rev. Bryan Bayda, Most Rev. Volodymyr Yushchak, Most Rev. Andriy Khimyak, and Most Rev. Josaphat Moshchych joined His Beatitude Sviatoslav in speaking to the children.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav greeted the children and thanked them for “coming to our home to experience the spirit of Christmas.”
“There is no Christmas without Jesus Christ, so we are here together to rejoice in the birth of our Savior, in whom there is hope and victory for Ukraine,” the Head of the UGCC explained to the children. He then spoke about the Nativity of Jesus Christ and the significance of this event.
Metropolitan Borys Gudziak noted, “Today, we have many reasons for sadness: maybe some of the children have lost their parents, and there are various dangers. It is very important that we support each other in believing that the Lord is with us, that every child is a great treasure, that every person is valued. When we are together, when we share a common holiday, and when we express our love and joy by simply living, we support one another.”
He added, “We in America are greatly inspired by Ukrainians who, under such difficult circumstances of war, persevere, resist evil, and stand up for good. Ukraine is the heartland of global change. We are deeply grateful to these children, their parents, and their bishops and priests, who serve as witnesses of hope for a world seeking wisdom and renewal.”
Bishop Volodymyr Yushchak shared his joy at meeting with the children, emphasizing, “Despite the war and problems, there is the joy of Christmas, and I think this space of joy, peace, ordinary life, and celebration is essential for children, especially younger ones.”
Afterward, St. Nicholas, along with the bishops of the Permanent Synod, distributed sweets and keepsake gifts to the children.
