I am calling for all our listeners, all those who hear the voice of Ukraine, both in Ukraine and abroad: "Do not be afraid to do good! Do not let the devil intimidate you, lead you astray from the path of Christian and universal righteousness!” His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said in his daily address on the 34th day of the Russian war against Ukraine.
“Today, Russia is threatening all those who want to do good to Ukraine. Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid to do good! Do not be afraid to be in solidarity with those who are suffering! Since good has its power and always wins. Let us combat the fear of the devil and it will leave us”, the spiritual leader added.
The Primate noted that Ukrainian peaceful towns and villages are continuing to be shaken by bombs and explosions.
“However, Ukraine is standing. Ukraine is struggling. Even more, the Ukrainian army is liberating our cities and villages, and our people amaze the whole world with their courage and ability to fight. We really feel that this war is a patriotic war, although senseless and undesirable one. But we are protecting and defending our people and Homeland”, said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Head of the Church noted that these days we have seen the horror left by the occupier in our towns and villages, particularly after their release. These are not only mutilated buildings, but also mutilated human destinies, mutilated bodies of those who have been tortured and abused.
People are forcibly deported to Russia, the Primate said sorrowfully, their passports are confiscated, temporary documents are issued and they are taken to Sakhalin Island, the far east of Russia, where they are not allowed to leave this designated place of exile for two years. We see that, as it was in the days of Stalin, whole nations were deported from their land, so they are doing on Ukrainian land today."
The spiritual leader called on the whole world to stand up for our people so that Ukrainians could live on their native Ukrainian land. And no one has ever taken them into captivity as it has been for centuries.