Uniate bishops unveil monument to UPA in Kharkiv

Representatives of the UGCC together with nationalists at the unveiling of the monument to the UPA in Kharkiv. Photo: Facebook “Right Sector of Slobozhanshchina”

On December 25, the bishops of the UGCC – Exarch Vasyl of Kharkiv and Archbishop Emeritus Ihor Isichenko consecrated the Memorial sign to the fallen soldiers of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in Kharkiv, reports the official site of the Kharkiv Exarchate of the UGCC.

At the opening ceremony of the Memorial sign, Kharkiv exarch Vasyl solemnly stated that in the exploits of the UPA he seeks inspiration for freedom in Christ.

"With the cross, with their own sacrifice for the Motherland, they protected our future, secured the statehood of Ukraine, which we gained three decades ago. In the feat of the UPA warriors, we are looking for strength to help us defend, win and bring freedom in Christ", said the Uniate exarch.

Together with representatives of the Uniates, activists of the Right Sector, Svoboda and other nationalist organizations waved flags at the event. At the same time, the Right Sector in Kharkiv on its official page expressed confidence that the opening of the monument to the Ukrainian insurgents will further unite the patriots and protect the country from Russian aggression.

The UPA monument in Kharkiv was first unveiled in 1992, but it has been attacked more than a hundred times: it has been doused with paint, knocked off its pedestal, and sometimes even blown up.

"The reconstruction of the UPA memorial sign in Kharkiv became possible due to the joint efforts of the city's Ukrainian community and patriotic organizations, thanks to their consolidation around the common Ukrainian cause. It is this unity that will save Ukraine from Moscow's invasion. Only this way together, considering the mistakes of our predecessors, the UPA warriors, we will protect and preserve our state," emphasizes the Right Sector in Kharkiv.

It is worth noting that the Donetsk-Kharkiv Exarchate of the UGCC (from which the Kharkiv Exarchate was separated in 2014) was established only in 2002. Prior to that, the UGCC had no roots in Kharkiv and the region was not part of the Rzeczpospolita, which encouraged the Uniates. Nor did the UPA operate in the Kharkiv region – only small diversionary units of the OUN.

As reported, the heads of the OCU and the UGCC consecrated a monument to the OUN-UPA at the Jewish cemetery in Sambor.

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