On April 24, Metropolitan Epifaniy, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, met with Congresswoman Victoria Sparz (Indiana) and Congressman Tim Wahlberg, Michigan.
The meeting was also attended by Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs Anton Gerashchenko and Ukrainian politician and public figure Pavlo Unhuryan, the OCU press service reports.
Early into the meeting, Metropolitan Epifaniy told his interlocutors about St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, which became a symbol of national revival and fight for Ukraine’s freedom.
He also spoke of Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine, the heroic efforts of the country’s defenders to repel the aggressor, the horrific atrocities committed by the invading forces against civilians in Ukrainian towns and villages, and the need for a continued supply of weapons needed by Ukraine’s Armed Forces to defeat evil.
“The evil empire is trying to destroy the Ukrainian nation. In such a difficult struggle, strength of spirit alone is not enough so our defenders need the relevant weapons,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
The parties also discussed Ukraine’s support in rebuilding the civilian infrastructure destroyed by Russian strikes. As huge numbers of people lost their homes, hospitals, schools, businesses and cultural institutions were destroyed as well.
“Thank you for your support in this difficult time of war. I think that the whole civilized world will not leave Ukraine and help us in the future,” said the head of the OCU.
In addition, during the conversation, it was stated that today, it’s on the situation of Ukraine, that peace in the whole region, or even the world, depends.
In this context, Metropolitan Epifaniy expressed the opinion that, if Putin is not stopped now in Ukraine, he will not stop in the future, because he acts as a modern-day antichrist, with whom it is impossible to strike deals. That is why prayer is needed as a spiritual weapon, as well as joint concerted efforts aimed at countering this threat.
Completing the meeting, a number of other issues were also discussed: interfaith relations, the activities of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, and humanitarian projects.
