On December 1, Synod of Bishops of the Kyiv-Halych Supreme Archdiocese of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church appealed to the faithful, politicians and the international community to pray for Ukraine.
On December 1, Synod of Bishops of the Kyiv-Halych Supreme Archdiocese of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church appealed to the faithful, politicians and the international community to pray for Ukraine.
In the context of Russia's open aggression against Ukraine, the hierarchs emphasize that the Ukrainian people have the right and sacred duty to protect their Motherland, a duty that cannot be shunned by anyone.”
“On the eve of the Christmas fast, another hard trial has befallen our Motherland - an open manifestation of aggression on the part of the Russian Federation, which pulled large military forces to the borders of our country – on mainland and at sea – made armed attacks on our ships, wounded and captured dozens of Ukrainian military sailors ... In the circumstances, we renew our statement that the Ukrainian people have the right and sacred duty to protect their Motherland, a duty that cannot be shunned by anyone. At the same time, we urge all citizens of Ukraine to understand certain restrictions in their daily lives, not to succumb to anxiety, provoked by those who are trying to sow panic and feelings of despair in our hearts,” the bishops emphasized in the appeal.
The clergymen of the UGCC urge the faithful “to observe or necessarily return to the practice of daily prayer and strict duty of peace and the liberation of our Motherland from Russian aggression, as we have commissioned it on June 17, 2014 of God. Prayer, fasting, and charity are our “spiritual checkpoint”, standing on which we are approaching the time of liberation and the long-awaited peace.”
The hierarchs ask Ukrainian politicians “not to speculate on the difficult stage of our state-building, abusing the people's misery for the sake of their short-sighted political benefits, but on the contrary – to consolidate to protect and build our state independence.”
The Synod calls upon the International Community “to make an effective effort to release and imprison all our prisoners, including the military sailors who need our support, solidarity and prayer.”
“Let us not succumb to malice and hatred, but put on the armor of truth and justice, boldly preaching the gospel of peace, protecting our hearts with the shield of faith, reinforcing it with the Word of God and prayer,” such words end the statement of the hierarchs of the UGCC.