UOC-MP Synod Addresses New President

KYIV – On February 27, 2010, the web site of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate posted the address to Viktor Yanukovych, passed by its Synod on February 26. Please see the text below.

Address of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych

Honorable Mr. President!

We sincerely congratulate You on Your election to the office of the President of Ukraine.

"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love" (2 John 1: 3).

The Lord has manifested His sacred will through the expression of will of the people of Ukraine. It is by the Lord's hand that you have been installed to serve the multi-million and multinational people of Ukraine.

We know You as a believer and therefore we hope that You will be a worthy successor of the cause of the Holy and Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr – the Baptizer of Rus, Holy and Right-Believing Prince Yaroslav the Wise – the enlightener and builder of St. Sophia Cathedral, hetmans Petro Sahaydachnii and Bohdan Khmelnytskii – the defenders of Holy Orthodoxy and the unity of our people.

Our firm conviction is that the President of Ukraine and all the levels of authorities are to be an example of the selfless service to the people and the state.

We are looking for the successful development of the state-church relations in the matter of defense of the public morals and the upbringing of the youth on the basis of the Law of God.   For that purpose we think it necessary that the subjects of the Basis of Christian Ethics, Orthodox Culture, and the Law of God were introduced in the education establishments of all levels, from kindergartens to the most prestigious universities.

The sphere of the joint patronage of the church and the state is to be the layers of population requiring social protection and spiritual support.  Children devoid of parental love, elderly people remaining without support, are to be provided not only with material well-being, but should also feel the warmth of prayer and kind Christian hearts of the volunteer workers and sisters of mercy.

The ones staying in penitentiary institutions should not be lacking spiritual instruction, which may become the first step to improvement and return to full-scale life.

The Ukrainian army needs the introduction of the service of the military priests so that the military servants are educated in the spirit of true patriotism, love of God, and their earthly motherland.

The church hopes that the state will by all means support the development of the spiritual enlightenment projects on TV, radio, and other mass media with the purpose of spiritual development and upbringing of the further generations.

The church and the state have to work collectively in the preservation of the cultural and spiritual heritage of our people, its historical records.   The church does not deny the necessity of existence of the reserve-museums, galleries, book depositories, but is sure that the church values and monuments, exempted from the believers by the atheist power are to be transferred back into the property of their true owners.

In order that the church could provide its own being, restore to the full extent the social service and help the people, we are expecting the continuation of the process of restitution of church property that will promote the revival of the economical activity of the church.

Honorable Mr. President! The great mission of the consolidation of the Ukrainian society, of the reunification of our people on the basis of our traditions and Christian values, mutual forgiveness, assistance, and sacrificial service to the neighbor is waiting for You. On its part, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will expend its efforts toward healing the wound of the schism on the body of Ukrainian Orthodoxy in the spirit of the canonical law of the church.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church prays that the Lord grants You wisdom and force, reliable and faithful assistants.

We invoke God's blessing on You and pray for our God-preserved state, its authorities and army. May the liturgical words with which the church prays onto the Lord for You and all the state administration come true in the course of you presidentship:  "And for all those in public service; permit them, Lord, to serve and govern in peace that through the faithful conduct of their duties we may live peaceful and serene lives in all piety and holiness."

On behalf of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

26.02.2010
+Volodymyr,
Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine
Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church