On February 16, 2022, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, joined the national telethon dedicated to the Day of Unity of Ukraine.
This was reported by the official website of the OCU.
In his speech, the head of the Ukrainian Church focused on the unparalleled importance of unity and prayer and the inevitable victory of truth and justice, which is defended by our people.
“Dear participants in the telethon! Ukrainian people!
On this day, we are called to emphasize and testify to our social, state, and national unity, we ourselves must better feel the exceptional significance and strength of the concept of this unity. Unity gives us the strength to overcome isolation of selfishness, to tackle strife and mistrust. But at the same time it provides an opportunity to preserve personal freedom and identity, protecting us from the shackles of totalitarianism.
This force is so significant that the enemy, above all, is trying, first of all, as we see, to destroy our unity. Scripture has it that a house divided within cannot stand. Therefore, the enemies are looking for any loophole to drive a wedge of confrontation there.
During the years of this undeclared but real war Russia has been waging against Ukraine, the aggressor is trying to incite religious and national enmity, to force Ukrainians to fight each other. These efforts have so far been unsuccessful, and I am convinced they will continue to be this way. Because Christians, Muslims, Jews, faithful of different Churches, and those who do not belong to a certain religious community, but believe in good and truth – we are all children of one Ukraine.
Together, in all corners of our country and beyond, we constantly offer prayers for the victory of truth and just peace, for stopping the aggressor’s intentions, for protection for our country and especially for our soldiers who are now defending their Homeland. And today we, as a community of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, in St. Sophia prayed to God for our Motherland, for the Ukrainian people and its defenders.
In unity lies the strength of the people. In these days of trials, we feel this more than ever. I am convinced that even if Moscow dares to go to full-out war, we, as a nation, are ready to overcome this challenge, without letting fear or even more panic to take over our hearts. Because the truth is on our side, on the side of the Ukrainian people, who are fighting for their home and their land, and not for others, fighting for freedom, not for enslavement. And where there is truth, there is God’s help and there is always good. We are firmly convinced that God works in history and no evil force, no modern Herod will be able to prevent the Almighty from establishing peace and truth.
So let’s cherish, nurture, and care for our unity. I call on the Ukrainian people, our Army, and the state to be blessed by the Lord!” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
