Mothers and wives of military captives ask UOC Primate for help (VIDEO)

On April 12 His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine Onuphry received at his residence wives, fathers and mothers from all corners of Ukraine, whose sons were taken captive over the hostilities period in the east of Ukraine. According to the UOJ correspondent, more than 20 women and men turned to the Metropolitan in a hope that their sons, husbands and brothers will return home.

“The Church has become the only place for us where we should not line up and where we are always welcome and heard,” said Yekaterina Khomiak, whose two sons are missed in action at this war.

Relatives requested His Beatitude to help them find their near ones, to transfer a parcel or a letter via the priests who are based beyond the other line of battle.

“I realize the upcoming holiday sings small due to your concerns and commotion about your children, your captive sons and husbands,” said the Metropolitan to the bereft. “But we will pray to God so that He would help them and set them free and return to the native land. As a Church we do everything possible about it. We asked to free at least some of them on the occasion of Easter. They promised something… Therefore, we have to keep praying. This is the first and main thing. God will always be with us and nobody will be able to inflict damage on us. At the same time we are going to do what we are supposed to – release our captives”.

Since the ATO began, the UOC clergy have managed to free from captivity nearly 20 military servicemen.




Read also

Singapore launches first data center powered by human neurons

20 biological CL1 computers running on lab-grown neurons have been combined into a single server rack.

Authorities cancel permanent use of heritage churches

The government replaced the permanent transfer of heritage churches to communities with temporary hourly access.

OCU rep claims that Pope is playing into Moscow's hands

An OCU cleric rebuked the Greek Catholics for their silence in the context of the Pope's statements about the necessity of peace.

Iran raises $1.3 million for sacrificial offering to pray for ayatollah's recovery

Iranians outraged by call to fund sacrificial ritual for the health of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Zelensky signs law on National Pantheon

The National Pantheon of Ukraine will have a non-denominational status.

Ukraine now allows matronymics alongside patronymics

Ukrainian legislation has allowed people to change their patronymic since 2021, including replacing the father's name with the mother's name.