Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma greeted the Christians who celebrate Easter according to the Gregorian calendar on 31 March 2002. And in western Ukrainian Lviv, Roman Catholic Cardinal Marian Jaworski reminded his flock of their duty to vote on Easter Sunday, which coincided with Ukraine’s parliamentary elections.
“Our nation has special holidays that, irrespective of religious denomination and calendar, symbolize the continuity between times and generations,” reads the presidential greeting. “One of these great holidays is Easter, which plays a significant role not only in the lives of the faithful, but for all of Ukrainian society as well.” “The awareness of the solemnity of Easter, its uniqueness and depth, has never vanished in the course of historical changes. The sacrificial mission of Christ has always inspired people’s optimism of fulfilling the everlasting human desire for spiritual perfection,” the greeting continues. The president also wished the faithful and their families good health, happiness and peace. Cardinal Jaworski celebrated Easter Mass in Lviv’s Cathedral of the Assumption. In his Easter greeting, the cardinal urged the faithful to go to the polls and perform their civic duty, voting for honest people, “who have already accomplished something in their lives.” Easter will be celebrated this year on 5 May according to the Julian Calendar which Orthodox and Greek Catholics follow. Source: http://i-news.org and www.kuchma.gov.ua