At the Patriarchal Cathedral of the UGCC in Kyiv, an interconfessional prayer for Christian unity took place on January 18. This prayer marked the beginning of the Week of Ecumenical Prayers under the motto "Love the Lord your God... and your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27). The prayer was led by Bishop Yosyf Milyan, the bishop of the UGCC Archeparchy of Kyiv, assisted by Apostolic Nuncio Visvaldas Kulbokas, bishops, and clergy from Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Churches.
The Information Department of the UGCC reported this.
Bishop Oleksandr Yazlovetsky of the RCC Diocese of Kyiv and Zhytomyr in Ukraine reminded that every year from January 18 to 25, Christians worldwide gather for ecumenical prayers for unity.
Bishop Oleksandr noted that each country has specific challenges for Christians. For instance, in Poland, the Catholic Church is dominant, while in Ukraine, there is more diversity of denominations. Another challenge for Ukrainian Christians is the war. It is said that nothing unites as much as a common enemy. According to the hierarch, charitable activities and prayers for Ukraine also unite Ukrainian Churches.
The hierarch emphasized that Church leaders and clergy, through their example, encourage believers to unite. He further stressed that the love of God is the primary bond that unites all Christians.
At the end of the prayer service, Bishop Yosyf Milyan highlighted that the Patriarchal Cathedral unites Ukrainians, especially Greek Catholics worldwide. The cathedral cultivates the Word of God and modern Ukrainian culture.