It is obvious that we need to be very vigilant. Be law-abiding citizens, and listen to the warnings of the military-civil administration because these days, in particular in Kyiv, we are very much asked not to neglect the air alarm signals and the rules regarding safety during an air alarm. On the other hand, I would advise you not to fall into panic and fear.
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, said it in an interview with Radio Maria when speaking about possible mass missile strikes from Russia on the occasion of our Independence Day. This is reported by UGCC Information Department.
"Something similar was promised for Easter, or May 9. There were other similar moments in those six months, but we experienced each of them. I think that every such event, in particular, we Christians, should experience spiritually," says His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
"We know," the head of the UGCC notes, "that hopelessness for God's Mercy is one of the sins against the Holy Spirit. Therefore, there is no need to fall into despair."
According to the head of the UGCC, the existential threat from Russia over Ukraine is relevant every day. "We just live in different parts of Ukraine," the head of the Church said, " and sometimes it seems to us that the war is somewhere far away. Then, when Kyiv was almost surrounded, then we felt that the war was at our gates. Unfortunately, in the capital, we sometimes do not fully feel that the war continues. Kharkiv and Mykolaiv experience daily night bombardments. It is obvious that Russia has not stopped in its dark plans to kill Ukraine and does not stop. Therefore, it is difficult for me to comment on any plans for another strike because those strikes are carried out every day."
His Beatitude Sviatoslav recalled the massive missile strike on Zhytomyr a few months ago. "24 missiles were fired. It was just awful. And this is only 130 kilometers from Kyiv, and Kyiv continued to live in peace. And now they say that there will be 25 in Kyiv, everyone is starting to get scared..." He added.
"We need to experience this particular day deeply prayerfully. For Christians, prayer is a great power. We may not see all the spiritual dimensions as we see all the dimensions when a Russian rocket falls, but I think the mystical power of Christian prayer that breaks through the heavens is much stronger and greater. Therefore, we pray on this day," the head of the UGCC urged.
It encourages you to pray and think not only about yourself, about saving your own life or threatening your personal safety, but also about the needs of your neighbors.