“When we celebrate the feast of life, the enemy inflicts its feast of death on us”: UGCC Head expresses condolences over missile attack on Sumy
On the morning of April 13, 2025, on Palm Sunday, Russia launched a missile strike on the center of Sumy, killing at least 31 civilians and injuring more than 83, including ten children. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, called this tragedy “another crime against humanity,” stressing that “when Ukrainians celebrate the feast of life, the enemy inflicts its feast of death.”
Photo: SESU
The Primate emphasized that Russia has once again revealed its barbaric face by targeting civilians on a day when Ukrainians celebrate a feast of life.
“When we celebrate the feast of life, the enemy wishes to inflict its feast of death on us. This is nothing but another crime against humanity,” said the Head of the UGCC.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed hope that the international community would respond appropriately to the attack: “We hope that everyone will understand that Ukraine is the innocent victim of this aggression, and that truth and peace mean protecting the innocent and restraining the murderous hand of the Russian killer and aggressor,” he emphasized.
The UGCC Head offered prayers and support to all those affected: “Today we embrace with our prayers and condolences all the victims of this missile strike, their families and friends, and our wounded Sumy. We sincerely hope that our faith in the Resurrection brings solace to those who lost their loved ones today. We entrust them to the hands of the Heavenly Father and pray for their eternal rest. At the same time, we will do everything in our power to stop this war and prevent further suffering and tragedy,” said His Beatitude.
“Eternal memory to the fallen, and eternal glory to all who are defending our independent Ukraine today at the cost of their own lives,” he concluded.
The UGCC Department for Information
