Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Beyond the Borders of Ukraine: 24 August, 2015 – Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence
August 2015
TO THE CLERGY AND FAITHFUL OF THE HOLY UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH BEYOND THE BORDERS OF UKRAINE AND ALL UKRAINIANS IN UKRAINE AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD CELEBRATING THE GREAT ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE – 24 AUGUST 2015
The Grace of God has brought Ukraine and all her faithful people to this, the twenty-fourth Anniversary of its exodus from the evil empire, its Declaration of Independence and the enjoyment of the fruits of freedom, righteousness and equality. Today our ancestral homeland faces another almost incredible challenge to this independence through the invasion of terroristic forces sponsored and supported, as the whole world knows, by the neighbor that simply cannot accept the loss of its illegal and illogical control domination the people-nation, which have been for that neighbor for over a millennium, the most profound example of spiritual, cultural and social life.
The Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops beyond the Borders of Ukraine prayerfully rejoices on this auspicious and significant anniversary and is joined by our clergy and faithful in conveying heartfelt congratulations to our brethren in Ukraine and to those of Ukrainian ancestry dispersed throughout the world at this day’s celebration of the sacred gifts of freedom, independence and sovereignty. Ukraine has never backed away from the challenges confronting her throughout history. Even during the most difficult of times, when to speak Ukrainian could bring death as attempts were made to annihilate the very idea of a Ukrainian nation, beneath the surface – within the subconscious reality of the people – their identity was alive and preserved, waiting to rise from the ashes like the Phoenix of old to become the nation she is today. Other nations of the world have all experienced the same challenges during the infancy of their independence and have only benefited from lessons learned – and so shall Ukraine.
In commemorating with gratitude to Almighty God such a great and precious gift as independence and sovereignty, we remain convinced that such gifts are, indeed, from God and are beneficial for the nation and her people if fully embraced and responsibly lived by all who are privileged to enjoy them. Therefore, we call upon the citizens of Ukraine to be vigilant in the pursuit of freedom and to exercise it with a profound sense of responsibility and without abuse. We call all to a shared vision of a nation in which all have the opportunity to grow and develop in every aspect of their lives by their own hard work, without corruption and greed, which destroy from the inside out.
Mindful of the immense responsibility, which is placed upon those called to govern, we prayerfully commend to Christ, the Way, Truth and Life, through the prayers of His Holy Mother and all the Saints, the Honorable President of Ukraine – Petro Poroshenko, all civil authorities and those who serve in the military. We remind them that the sacred trust of governing and safeguarding, which they exercise, is from God – the Giver of every good and perfect gift – and is to be exercised so that all the inhabitants of Ukraine might lead a calm and peaceful life in all Godliness and sanctity under the tranquil guidance of those who govern – for which we pray at every Divine Liturgy.
May God-loving and God-protected Ukraine, continue to develop under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May she ever be that bastion of Faith and Righteousness envisioned by those sainted Fathers and Mothers – many of them martyrs – who journeyed with Sts. Ol’ha and Volodymyr on that path which leads to Christ and fullness of life. May she be a land of justice based on a sound and honest legal system. May she be a home from which her citizens no longer feel the need to flee. May she be a beacon of light to all the developing nations of the world
For our God-loving and God-protected Ukraine, her government, armed forces and all her people, we pray to the Lord.
† YURIJ, Metropolitan
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
† ANTONY, Metropolitan
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Locum Tenens of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora
† IOAN, Archbishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora
† JEREMIAH, Archbishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy of Brazil and South America
† ILARION, Bishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
† ANDRIY, Bishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
† DANIEL, Bishop
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
