Patriarch Sviatoslav prays for the clergy, monks and laity of the Diocese of New Westminster, as well as for all those affected by heavy rains, floods and landslides in British Columbia in Western Canada.
The head of the UGCC writes about this in a letter to Bishop David Motyuk, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of New Westminster, the UGCC Information Department reported.
Over the past few weeks, the Primate's letter says, footage of recent heavy rains, floods and landslides has been seen in the news, which have had a devastating impact on the lives of a large number of people in British Columbia.
"When I saw footage of flooding in the Fraser Valley," writes His Beatitude Sviatoslav, "I remembered my own trips from Vancouver to Kelowna through the same area, along the Coquihalla highway in August 2012. I was struck by the stunning natural beauty of British Columbia with its farmland and the grandeur of the mountains. Today, I am particularly united with those who suffer both because of the large-scale forest fires of last summer and now because of the destruction caused by recent floods."
In the letter, His Beatitude Sviatoslav asks Bishop David to convey to the clergy, monks and laity that amid the constant problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to restore homes, businesses and infrastructure, even in cold winter weather, he prays that the Lord will send them and the people of British Columbia his comfort and Grace.