Address of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to Ukrainian community in connection with holding Euro-2012 in Ukraine
12/6/2012
This year our country has the honor to host the European Football Championship. This is certainly an event that reveals the overall culture of our society. In particular, the ability to meet guests, to organize thousands of events, to present cultural and historical values of our State. We hope that the guests of Ukraine will have good memories of their visit.The main factor of good experience shall be the spirit of goodwill and mutual respect.
Sports are always accompanied by many emotions. But among them there shall be no place for aggression to rivals and their fans, any display of ethnic hostility. Let’s not forget that a sport game is first of all a game that should not lead to violence and manifestation of destructive force, but shall be the reason for tolerance, manifestations of honor, brave and noble experience of defeats and victory.
The beginning of the European football championship coincided with the beginning of the Apostolic fast of Sts Peter and Paul in the Orthodox Church. This period of spiritual life of our people must be accompanied by special attention to their family situation, their feelings, words, actions. We know that among thefans for Ukrainian football team there are many Orthodox believers. As many of our compatriots they perceived football championship a a chance to win honor and glory for our country. We ask them to protect their inner world from negative emotions, not to disperse spiritual peace in a temporary capture.
The European Football Championship is not limited to sports games. It is also a possibility to familiarize the guests of Ukraine with its historical and cultural heritage. In this regard, I wish inspiration and burning love for the homeland whose life is full of beautiful human heroism, and reaching spiritual heights of holiness to those who will be a conductor into the world of Ukrainian culture these days.
I call all men of good will make every effort to preserve peace, kindness and tolerance, respect each other mutual support these days.
Let the spirit of peace and goodwill prevail during the European Football Championship among all participants and fans. We will maintain our dignity and respect for a neighbor.
VOLODYMYR,
Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine
