Volyn Council of Churches addressed the residents of the region on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Volyn tragedy. The ministers called the faithful to pray and ask the Lord to prevent similar tragic events.
Volyn Council of Churches addressed the residents of the region on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Volyn tragedy. The ministers called the faithful to pray and ask the Lord to prevent similar tragic events.
The address is posted on the website of the Volyn Eparchy of UOC-KP (Kyiv Patriarchate).
“To search for the reasons or persons responsible for the tragic events which took place in history between Ukrainians and Poles is very difficult and painful today. All of us should look at those events with sorrow and bitterness, in the light of the Christian commandments of love for God and one’s neighbor. Time heals the deep wound. One should not forget the past but draw proper conclusions from it.
“Deprivation of the gift of life should be condemned! All people are God’s children and the Creator commanded us all: 'Thou shall not kill!'
“Yes, we are their descendants and live on this land where the events took place. But we have no right to judge or, even more so, to punish or revenge. First of all, we are Christians and Christ is calling on us with the words of Paul: 'Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge.' (Romans 12:17-19).
“Let us ask the Almighty for forgiveness both for the persecuted and persecutors. Let us honor the heroes, both Ukrainians and Poles, who rescued their neighbors regardless of their nationality, often risking their lives.
“In the recent decades, Ukraine and Poland have been united by friendly, partner relations. However, irreconcilability of certain persons or groups can stir up the wounds that began to heal. Let us not allow the enemy of the human kind to set at variance our nations!
“Let the scholars continue to study the terrible events with academic impartiality. But let the daily good-neighborly relations between Poles and Ukrainians on both sides of the River Buh become monuments to the victims of the tragedy, which are not made by hand.
“We are calling on both Ukrainians and Poles to say again, 'Forgive us and be forgiven by us and let us break the vicious circle of centuries with good deeds.'
“And today, we can only pray and ask the Lord to prevent similar tragic events in the history of our land.”
The address was signed by local hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-MP, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyivan Patriarchate, Roman Catholic Church, Greek Catholic Church, Pentecostals, Baptists and Adventists.