Two tragedies. Two very different standards
Oleksandr Matsievskyi said “Glory to Ukraine!” before he was executed. The whole world witnessed his murder. Politicians, government officials, and Ukrainian and international media spoke about him. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. And rightly so. Because the killing of an unarmed person is a tragedy and a crime.
But on August 23, Monk Varsonofiy was murdered at Sviatohirsk Lavra. I knew him personally. He was a true monk who devoted his life to prayer and the service of God.
And yet, what a terrible silence surrounds his death.
According to Andrii, who miraculously survived the attack, three men in military uniforms said to him, “Glory to Ukraine!” When he responded instead, “Glory to our Lord God. Save and protect us,” they began brutally beating him, slashing and stabbing him with a knife before throwing him into a ravine to die. He then heard gunshots.
And this raises a question for me: Why are we so selective about whose death deserves the attention of the entire nation?
Why is one person turned into a national symbol after his murder, while the killing of a monk is met with silence?
Why did the murder of a man for saying “Glory to Ukraine!” shake the entire country, while the words “Glory to God!” and the brutal violence that followed failed to provoke the same public outrage?
Why do those who usually speak the loudest about human rights, dignity, freedom, and the value of human life have so little to say about the murder of a monk?
Do not let this tragedy be swept under the rug.
Where are we heading? What are we becoming?
Father Varsonofiy was a soldier of Christ. His weapons were prayer, faith, love for his neighbor, and love for God.
Glory to God for all things.
May the murdered Monk Varsonofiy rest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Do not remain silent.
