Metropolitan Epifaniy visited military service members in the Rivne region and called for unwavering support for the defenders of Ukraine.
“We are gradually getting used to calling our defenders, service members, modern-day heroes. Not formally, but in essence, in the sense of their sacrificial service, they are for us heroes and those who demonstrate the highest degree of Christian love, because “there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15: 13).
But let’s remember that these heroes are, first of all, people who have a soul and a body, and their powers (both spiritual and physical) tend to wear out. In a month, 1,000 days of a full-scale invasion will be completed. We are talking about 10 years since the beginning of the occupation of Ukraine, and objectively – this war of Russia against our people and our state in various forms has been going on for several centuries! Therefore, in spite of fatigue, in spite of everything, it was our destiny to put an end once and for all, to withdraw from this empire of evil, from the so-called “Russian world”, which the Kremlin authorities are so trying to impose on us – even through a bloody war and physical destruction.
Therefore, we cannot afford to get tired. We must find strength to support each other, to inspire, to help, to lend a shoulder to our brothers and sisters, helping them bear their heavy cross. For the sake of life, for the sake of truth, for the sake of the Ukrainian people having a future.
Yesterday, in Rivne region, I once again met with our servicemen and chaplains. Each of these meetings is special and memorable for me. This time we offered a joint prayer to God and consecrated the icons, portable small iconostasis that will be used by our priest-chaplains while carrying out their mission in the field.
I ask the Lord to protect each of our defenders and chaplains in this war. Our Church constantly offers prayers for the Ukrainian Army and the Ukrainian people. May the Lord continue to help us tread this thorny path of truth, will and freedom – so that we finally achieve our final victory and celebrate together, rejoicing at the establishment of a just peace in Ukraine.
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes! – Metropolitan Epifaniy wrote in the post.
