Zelensky asks to pray for peace in Ukraine on Day of Rus’ Christianization
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky. Photo: president.gov.ua
On July 28, 2020, on the Day of the Christianization of Rus, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky congratulated the people on this feast and called to pray for peace in Ukraine. The head of State published an address to citizens on his Telegram channel.
“I want to address all heads of Churches and religious organizations, regardless of the denomination. To address not as a President but as a person. With a request to pray for peace in the Ukrainian land,” Zelensky wrote. “For such a desired silence and a complete ceasefire in the Donbass. For our people to stop dying and getting seriously injured. For the horrors of war for Ukraine to finally end. For the long-awaited peace to set in.”
For God to hear our prayer, we need sincerity rather than loudness, the President believes.
He also reminded the people of Ukraine that none of us has the right to forget about Christian values that should reign in our actions. It is impossible to achieve prosperity or the desired peace without them, Zelensky added.
“We are all looking for a path to unity and for some reason we forget that in fact, 1032 years ago, Prince Vladimir showed us this path – he united people around the values of kindness, mercy and love for one's neighbour,” the head of State emphasized.
The President recalled that faith has always helped our ancestors and us both in private life and in solving state problems.
On the day of the celebration of the Christianization of Rus’, the prayer is heard in all churches in Ukraine, he added.
“Today we really need a joint prayer for Ukraine. God's help in all difficult trials for the sake of a peaceful future of our Motherland," Zelensky concluded.
Earlier, the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary, called on the flock to pray that the armistice in the Donbass would end the war.
The OCU views the problem of restoring peace in the country differently: the “hierarch” of this schismatic structure, Afanasy Shkurupiy, invited his adherents to join an armed uprising against Zelensky because of the armistice.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.