The year 2022 is coming to an end, and very soon the curtain will open before the next New Year. What will the coming year be like for each of us? How do we enter it? And what awaits us beyond the threshold of the New Year?
Metropolitan Epifaniy, Head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, emphasized this in his address on New Year’s eve.
Throughout this year, we have changed a lot thanks to the Providence of God, which helps all good, stops evil, and turns it to good consequences. Our people are going through the most difficult trials of the war. We did not want this war, it was treacherously and cruelly imposed on us by the enemy who invaded our land, shedding blood, sowing death and violence. But we did not break down and surrender, as the aggressor hoped. We have prevailed, and therefore we have already won mentally.
This year, the Ukrainian people learned better to separate the important from secondary, true from false, and truth from lies. Yes, we have all grown up significantly – psychologically, spiritually, and mentally. Even small children, at the same level as adults, help us bring victory closer by donating their savings or raising money for the Armed Forces.
This year, we became united: unanimous regarding our movement away from Moscow, regarding our native language, Church, history, and traditions. We loved our family even more – because under the threat of loss, we realized how valuable they are for us. And we all came to his defense together – our whole big, albeit so diverse, Ukrainian family.
During this year, we clearly saw who our true friend is, and who was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Even those who did not see this for eight years of war and three centuries of enslavement understood that our self-proclaimed “brother” is worse than an outright enemy, because he sharpened a knife at our throat under the words of “brotherhood” and “friendship of nations.” And when we were told about the threat “beyond the mountains”, it turned out that the real big enemy was “behind our shoulders”.
This year has become a year of insight, understanding, and radical changes for our people. Any changes are painful. The current ones have become extremely painful for Ukrainians, but they are necessary. A mother brings a new life into this world with pain, but so quickly forgets about it because in front of her is a child, her new life, her hopes and future…
Similarly, we are now standing on the threshold of not only a new calendar year. We are on the threshold of a new milestone in the history of the existence of our nation, we are striving for the future. And, as never before, we are united in our desire: VICTORY AND PEACE! I believe: this wish will certainly come true because we are on the side of light and truth and God is with us. We, Ukrainians, are enlightened by love, and they, the enemies, are blinded by hate. So the victory will be ours – those who clearly see their path, love and fight on the side of good.
With God’s help, we will confidently enter the New Year as winners! I invoke God’s blessing on the entire Ukrainian people.
