Primate of UOC congratulates Ukrainians on Independence Day

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: news.church.ua

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine congratulated Ukrainians on Independence Day, emphasizing the importance of fervent prayer for the entire Ukrainian people. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

He noted that "at a time when our country is suffering from war, our Ukrainian people demonstrate and uphold their unwavering desire for a free life and fight for the right to decide their own fate. An invincible people is one that maintains its internal unity. Unshakeable is the people that preserves its spiritual foundations. For the people of Ukraine, the Orthodox Church has historically been one of these foundations."

His Beatitude Metropolitan emphasized that "in their earthly life, every Christian is connected to their homeland, which they are called to protect and develop." He added, "Our Ukrainian Orthodox Church has historically and traditionally been flesh of the flesh of the Ukrainian people, and despite the well-known recent events in the realm of church-state relations, it continues to humbly serve the Ukrainian people – to protect them, comfort them, bind their wounds, wipe their tears, mourn with them, and rejoice with them, as we are an inseparable part of this people."

The primate noted that the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are loyal to their homeland – Ukraine. He emphasized that "we all pray to God for the arrival of times of peace, tranquility, prosperity, and real unity, and for the correction of mistakes that were made during certain periods."

"Any slanders, unjust accusations, and other destructive actions from various sides against our Church will not separate us from Christ's love and from serving our people," highlighted Metropolitan Onuphry.

In his congratulatory message, the Primate noted: "Our common aspiration is to live in a peaceful country, protected from any external aggression and internal violence or confessional discrimination; in a country that firmly stands on the principles of democracy and international law, including the right to freely profess religious beliefs."

"Throughout the years of Ukraine's independence, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has consistently supported statehood, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders of our country. The clergy and faithful of our Church are citizens of Ukraine who, through their sincere prayers, sacrificial love, and real deeds, support our homeland and our suffering people, especially during this turbulent time of war," stressed the UOC Primate.

The Archpastor also noted that our independence is a historical fact of our homeland's existence, which imposes upon us a proper share of responsibility, consisting of diligent and honest work for the benefit of the state.

"Saint Paul gives us sound advice: whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Col. 3:23). May our daily work for the benefit of our people and our state be a fulfillment of these apostolic words and bring benefit to our neighbors," wished Metropolitan Onuphry.

In his congratulatory message, His Beatitude called everyone to pray for Ukraine, for the brave and unshakable defenders of our state, for the sacrificial medical workers and tireless volunteers, as well as to pray for our authorities and for our entire people, "so that the Lord, Who gives strength, may bless us all with His Divine peace (see Ps. 28:11)" and protect us all.

As reported by the UOJ, the President congratulated Ukrainians on Independence Day, stating that Ukrainian Orthodoxy today is taking steps towards liberation from "Moscow demons".

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