Primates of Churches congratulate Ukrainians on Christmas

In his greeting message, Patriarch Sviatoslav of the UGCC emphasizes that Christmas is a source of victory over the modern man's fears of the future and the unknown.

"Christmas in the unification of God with humankind: od Himself enters into human living space and begins living as a human being, accepting all discomforts, challenges, and threats. Let us rejoice, therefore, for we are the ones whom Christ in His Nativity has liberated from fear, granting us joy in love. He will also renew our capacity to love God and neighbour.  In Him are the foundations of our national, state, and ecclesial existence.

Dear brothers and sisters! Dear Brother and Sisters. With Christ’s birth, I sincerely greet you all: those in Ukraine and abroad, those who celebrate together with loved ones and those who are far from family, the young and the old, children and parents, the healthy and the infirm, the wealthy and the poor.  Today we are all rich in the joy and love of the newborn Saviour.  In thought and heart, I am with those who suffer bodily and spiritual wounds. Those who have doubts and are searching in the midst of the dangers and anxieties of today’s world, who thirst for true peace and joy – receive my Christmas greeting and my loving embrace.  Today, in a special way I unite myself in prayer with those who fearlessly stand on the frontlines and defend our country.  On the occasion of this feast, I express my gratitude and impart my blessings on our battle-worn veterans.  May the words of our carol-koliadka speak to the heart of each of you:

Let us imitate the shepherds,
Let us bow to the One Born
That He deigns to grant us peace,
Transform sorrows into joy,
For those who believe, who believe in Him (Universe, rejoice).

From the bottom of my heart, I wish all of you the authentic joy of the children of God, a tasty kutia, a cheerful celebration of Christ’s Nativity, and a happy, peaceful, and blessed New Year!

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

The head of the OCU, Metropolitan Epifaniy, said in his greeting message that in celebrating Christmas we do not just honor a historical event, but again remind ourselves that the Son of God was born not for the sake of Himself, but for us and for our salvation.

"During these holidays, I cordially greet all of you on Christmas and New Year. I greet the President, the Parliament and the Government of Ukraine. Our common heartfelt congratulations are extended to the courageous defenders of Ukraine-military personnel and all those who oppose aggression against our homeland, protect its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. We ask God to protect you from all evil.

Last year, many of our compatriots were released from captivity and unjust imprisonment, but, unfortunately, during these holidays, many more of our brothers and sisters are still under occupation, in captivity and in prison in a foreign land. We ask the Lord for mercy and care for all of you and we believe that the day of your liberation is coming.

In the days of festive joy, from the bottom of our hearts let us raise our prayerful gratitude to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, for his mercy to us and for the blessings of God that we have received.

Glorify the Son of God, who was born, in prayers and carols, sharing the joy in the circle of his family and with other people! But most of all we work to make our whole life full of good and love, to fulfill the call that the Savior makes to us: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5: 16)!

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

The Primate of the UOC-MP, Metropolitan Onufriy, in his Christmas message wishes that the Lord may live in our hearts and that peace reigns in the entire God-blessed Ukrainian land.

"It is also strange and wonderful in the Nativity of Christ that the Son of God came into the world through the most Holy Virgin. St. John Chrysostom says that just as Adam, without a woman, brought Eve into the world, so did the blessed Virgin, who, not having a husband, gave birth to the Savior. Moreover, Adam remained intact after taking his rib from the body, and the blessed Virgin remained incorruptible after the birth of the virgin Christ.

Once again, I cordially congratulate all of you, dear brothers and sisters, on Christmas, on the great Mystery of the appearance of God in the flesh (1 Tim. 3, 16).

In these days, we rejoice and sincerely thank our Savior for the fact that He, our Lord and Master, through his indescribable love for us, sinful and fallen people, came into this world, took over our human nature, purified, sanctified and saved it.

On the blessed Christmas night, the Angels sang a strange song: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2, 14). Today we especially pray and beseech the Lord that the peace that the Lord brought to the earth in his Nativity and which was sung by the Holy Angels, rest in our hearts, in our families and throughout our blessed Ukrainian land. May the Lord bless us all with peace. Amen."

"Dear and beloved children of God, peace be upon you! From the bottom of my heart and with brotherly love, I greet you on a new milestone in our earthly life – the New Year 2020 and the wonderful holiday of the Nativity of Christ. Together with you, I want to raise heartfelt gratitude the Almighty for the past year, for the happy and sad days, for his constant loyalty to His Church and the hope that excites the heart and soul - the hope of meeting with Our Savior and the King, "Who will come and will not delay, while the righteous will live by faith."

I call upon all of us to look forward to the future with hope and faith, remembering the words of Jesus: "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." I wish you great joy, like the joy of shepherds and sages who were honored to see with their own eyes "the only begotten of the Father".

Let no cares or troubles - even on a global scale - darken our eyes to see the Invisible and eternal, in whose hands is our life and breath.

May the blessing of God rest on us and our children in the New Year 2020, and may the Word of God, like clear dawn, guide our steps to the Heavenly Jerusalem, to worship the Heavenly King and bring him the imperishable treasures of our heart.

May the Lord help us in this! With love and prayers for you, senior Bishop Mykhailo Panochko"