The Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America and Diaspora on the 40th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster call upon faithful to: offer prayers for the departed and for all who suffer from the consequences of Chornobyl; reflect deeply on our personal and collective responsibility toward God’s creation
Source: The Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America and Diaspora
Statement of the Council of Bishops
of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America and Diaspora
on the 40th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster
April 26, 1986 - April 26, 2026
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Beloved clergy and faithful of the Holy Church, and all people of goodwill:
On this solemn 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, we bow our heads in prayerful remembrance before God, the Lord of life and history, Who alone holds creation in His loving providence. We recall with deep sorrow the tragic events of April 26, 1986 - an event that brought devastation to the land, suffering to countless families, and enduring consequences to the whole of humanity.
We offer fervent prayers for the souls of those who lost their lives - especially the heroic first responders, firefighters, engineers, and workers who, at the cost of their own health and lives, sought to contain the catastrophe and protect others. Their sacrifice stands as a solemn witness to selfless love, echoing the words of our Lord: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
We also remember with compassion and unwavering prayer those who have lived - and continue to live - with the physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences of this tragedy: the displaced, the sick, the forgotten, and the generations marked by its unseen wounds. May the healing grace of Christ, the Physician of souls and bodies, be upon them.
As we reflect upon this anniversary, we are called not only to remembrance, but to spiritual discernment. The Chornobyl disaster stands as a sobering reminder of the immense responsibility entrusted to humanity. From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, God granted humankind stewardship over creation - not domination for selfish ends, but care, reverence, and accountability. The gifts of knowledge, science, and technological advancement are blessings from God, given for the flourishing and protection of life. Yet, when divorced from humility, moral responsibility, and reverence for the Creator, these gifts may become instruments of destruction.
Nuclear power, like all human achievement, carries within it both promise and peril. It is not the knowledge itself that is evil, but the misuse, neglect, and abuse of that knowledge - when human pride, haste, or indifference obscure the sacred responsibility we bear. The tragedy of Chornobyl reveals what can occur when vigilance fails, when truth is obscured, and when the well-being of humanity is overshadowed by other pursuits.
Today, as nuclear power and its potential - both for energy and for destruction - remain in the spotlight of global society, we are called to renewed vigilance. We must advocate for transparency, responsibility, ethical governance, and the sanctity of human life. We must insist that all scientific and technological endeavors be guided by moral clarity, spiritual wisdom, and a profound respect for the dignity of every human person and the integrity of God’s creation.
The journey of humanity - from Eden to Gethsemane - is indeed a journey of trust and consequences. In Gethsemane, we behold the ultimate obedience of Christ, Who freely accepted suffering out of love, redeeming the failures of humanity. In His Resurrection, we are given hope that even the darkest tragedies may be illumined by divine grace.
We prayerfully ask the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America and Diaspora, together with our parish communities, to offer Memorial Prayer Services (Panakhyda) on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in solemn remembrance of all those who lost their lives as a result of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, as well as for all who continue to suffer from its consequences. Let these prayers of the Church rise as a living testimony of our love, our gratitude for the sacrifice of the fallen, and our enduring commitment to commend their souls into the hands of our merciful and loving God.
Therefore, in the light of the Bright Resurrection of our Lord, we do not despair. Instead, we commit ourselves anew to the path of repentance, responsibility, and transformation. We are called to be stewards who protect rather than exploit, who heal rather than harm, and who build a future rooted in truth, justice, and love.
On this anniversary, we call upon our faithful to: offer prayers for the departed and for all who suffer from the consequences of Chornobyl; reflect deeply on our personal and collective responsibility toward God’s creation; support efforts that promote environmental stewardship, ethical scientific advancement, and the protection of human life; bear witness to the Gospel by living lives of humility, vigilance, and love.
May the memory of the victims be eternal. May the sacrifices of the heroes never be forgotten. And may the Lord grant wisdom to the leaders of nations, scientists, and all entrusted with great responsibility, that the gifts of knowledge may always serve life and never destruction.
With archpastoral love in the Risen Christ, we entrust all to His mercy and proclaim:
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
† Metropolitan Antony
† Archbishop Daniel