The Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church His Beatitude Sviatoslav congratulated all Ukrainians who celebrate Easter according to the Gregorian calendar on the bright holiday of the Resurrection of Christ.
In the joy of the resurrection, he especially greeted Ukrainian soldiers, families of the fallen, captured and missing, refugees and volunteers, wishing them a blessed Easter and bright Easter joy.
This is stated in the Easter Pastoral Letter of His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
“As we celebrate Christ’s Pascha again amid the horrors of a full-scale war, now in its third year, we enter ever deeper into the great mystery of sacrifice offered by the Lord Jesus for our salvation. The Son of God, becoming man, gives back to the Father that which is the most precious—his life!”, — said the Head of UGCC.
He emphasized that “Christ is risen!” are not just words, they are
joyful news that gives us hope for victory over the evil that prevails
in our world.
“Today, Ukraine is a victim-sacrifice of russia’s criminal war against our people, — His Beatitude Sviatoslav stated. — We often ask ourselves: is our fight really worth such a high price?”
Answering this question, His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized: “Our victory over the enemy is as certain and inevitable as the day that always follows the night, as the dawn of that morning when Christ was risen”.
In addition, the Father and Head of the Church in the Easter Pastoral letter noted that Ukrainians now feel that the right time has come to destroy once and for all the power of Europe’s and the world’s fear of death, which is carried by the insatiable Russian colonizer
“In his resurrection, Christ destroyed death and fear before those who carry it”, — said The Patriarch.
Congratulating Ukrainians who celebrate Easter according to the Gregorian calendar, the Head of the UGCC calls for confidence in the faith, hope and love that the risen Lord brings us.
“In the joy of the Resurrection, I greet our military heroes, sons and daughters of Ukraine, who defend us at the frontlines, are ready to sacrifice everything out of love for their land and their people”, — the Pastoral Letter says.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also expresses his condolences to all those who suffered from the war — physically, materially, morally: “Let today’s feast above all feasts, and festival of festivals, be for you a balm in your suffering”.
Moreover, Head of the UGCC called on Ukrainians to share the sacredness of our Easter basket and feel deep joy, God’s mercy and blessing.
“The grace of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!” — said His Beatitude Sviatoslav in conclusion.