Archbishop Major Shevchuk sends message at beginning of Lent: “We are still standing. We are in prayer for our army, for our homeland, for our suffering Ukrainian people.”
Newsroom (March 1, 2022, 9:05 PM, Gaudium Press) Archbishop Major Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, has sent a message to the faithful at the beginning of the Lenten season, which according to its liturgical calendar begins on February 28. His words have a special meaning at a time when the country is a victim of the Russian army invasion and citizens are uncertain about their survival. The prelate remains in his headquarters in Kiev, a city that is almost completely besieged by the invading forces.
“Today is Monday, February 28, and I send you words of blessing from our Headquarters, from the capital of Ukraine, my homeland, Kiev, Ukraine,” His Beatitude announced, highlighting the heroism of many citizens who did their best to stop the invasion, sometimes even without weapons. “We are still standing. We are in prayer for our army, for our homeland, for our suffering Ukrainian people.”
The prelate announced the beginning of the Lenten season according to the Greek rite liturgical calendar. “I promise you that this fast will be special for you, because together we will arrive at Easter,” Bishop Shevchuk stated. “It will be so because our Easter is the risen Lord Jesus Christ.”
Asks for prayers
His Beatitude thanked Pope Francis for condemning the war and for raising his voice on behalf of the Ukrainian people, and also all believers who joined in prayer heeding this call for peace. “I want to ask you, especially today: let us do everything possible to stop this aggression, to stop the war,” the prelate urged.
“Even when this seems impossible, even when diplomats, lawyers and state leaders say it is too difficult, we pray that the God of peace will give the wisdom to stop the aggression through dialogue,” he concluded.
With information from the Information Department of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.
Compiled by Zephania Gangl
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