During his working visit to Ternopil region, President Petro Poroshenko took part in the Nationwide pilgrimage dedicated to the 1030th anniversary of Christianization of Ukraine-Rus’.
During his working visit to Ternopil region, President Petro Poroshenko took part in the Nationwide pilgrimage dedicated to the 1030th anniversary of Christianization of Ukraine-Rus’.
"These days we begin to celebrate the 1030th anniversary of Christianization of Ukraine-Rus’ and the history of our statehood dates back to pre-Christian times. The upcoming holiday is a holiday common to most Ukrainian Christians. We belong to a unique Kyiv Christian tradition," the Head of State said.
"We are the heirs of Kyivan Rus’-Ukraine. Our land was baptized by Volodymyr the Great. We stopped the aggressor with you and saved the Ukrainian state. We built a capable army. We are now strengthening the state language - an integral part of power and success of our people. We develop all our Churches and return Ukrainian identity and equal place among other Orthodox churches in the world to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine," the President noted.
"Our army defends our land. Our language defends our hearts. Our faith defends our soul," he emphasized.
The Head of State thanked everyone for the great volunteer work, for helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine: "I, as Supreme Commander-in-Chief, want to thank the Ukrainian military, military chaplains, mothers and wives of the deceased who prayed with us today. I want to support the people who were left in the occupied territories, IDPs. On the frontline, next to the military, there are military chaplains who provide spiritual support to our heroic soldiers and pray for our victory and peace on our native land".
Petro Poroshenko emphasized the special place of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the Ukrainian history. "It has provided constant communication with the Western European Christian community. It has been taking care of Ukrainian flock for centuries,” the President said.