lory to Jesus Christ!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
I greet you from the holy hills of Kyiv, from our Patriarchal Sobor of the Resurrection of Christ!
Today we are already in the twelfth day of war. Today is 7 March 2022.
Today, first of all, I would like to thank the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for having once more sharply and unequivocally condemned the war against Ukraine during yesterday’s prayer of the Angelus. He said clearly and distinctly that this is not some kind of operation, this is a war. War, first of all, against peaceful people, against the peaceful population.
Today, on this twelfth day of war, according to information from the United Nations, we have already 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine who have left their homeland.
I would like to thank today all those who support our people, our homeland, our army.
I continue to receive innumerable correspondence, letters of solidarity.
I would like to particularly thank the Catholic bishops of Asia, especially Hong Kong. I would like to thank the Catholics of India, especially the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Syro-Malabar Church and the Syro-Malankara Church. Special thanks to the Eastern Catholic Churches of Europe: Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia. To all those who particularly feel the pain of our Church and our nation.
I would like to thank today in particular the Polish people, the Polish episcopate, the Polish government, because they have received already more than one million refugees into their embraces, into their homes, and they are trying to do everything to give the necessary aid to these people. May the Lord God repay you a hundredfold!
Today Ukraine is standing. Ukraine is fighting.
In particular my heart is in anguish for my Kyiv Archeparchy. Vicious battles are taking place in the suburbs of Kyiv.
Three cities have become extensive and horrible battlefields, literally several tens of kilometres from the centre of Kyiv. These are Irpin, Hostomel, and Bucha.
Yesterday we received news that the head of the city council of Hostomel, Mr Yuriy Prylypko, was killed at the moment when he was distributing food and medicine to those in need. The head of city council in Bucha, Mr Vadym Denysenko, who bravely carried out his duties, was wounded.
I would like to thank all those who today in Ukraine truly and worthily exercise state governance at various levels and organise the protection of our population.
Unfortunately, all talk of green corridors for the possibility of evacuating people from cities that are suffering the most from siege and bombardment is not coming true.
Today we ask the world community: “Close the sky over Ukraine!”
Precisely Russian cruise missiles are today killing the peaceful population on our lands the most.
Today in Ukraine, for Christians who follow the Julian calendar, it is the first day of Great Lent. Today we pray, fast, and do good works.
I want to thank very much in particular our Caritas Ukraine which is doing everything in order to deliver essential aid where today it is most difficult.
Our Patriarchal Sobor of the Resurrection of Christ, as well as other parishes, are truly centres where human life is saved.
We pray today for the Ukrainian army. We bless our volunteers, all those who bring the day of victory closer.
O God, bless Ukraine! O God, bless the Ukrainian nation! O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance!
May the blessing of the Lord be upon you through His grace and love for humankind, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to Jesus Christ!