The Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA sent a letter of support to the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv, and All Ukraine highlighting the fact that human dignity and freedom must be preserved in Ukraine.
In its letter, the Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA pointed out that “throughout Ukraine’s history, millions of people have given their lives for freedom, dignity, and human rights, in order to claim the right to peace and stability as any other nation enjoys in the world. The voice of the peace-loving people of Ukraine must be heard and respected and it cannot be silenced by the noise of ammunition and actions of those in political and spiritual leadership positions who choose to confuse and abuse by utilizing violence – war, against the people of Ukraine”.
The Council also stressed that “embracing the gift of freedom with you, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and throughout the world, and in the hope of moving forward, rather than backward in history, we beseech with awe and thanksgiving the Father of lights and every perfect gift, the Son of righteousness and the Spirit of truth to descend upon us all, embrace us, guiding and perfecting our every deed”.
Find below the letter of the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA to Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv
His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine
Your Beatitude,
As hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora, we address you with the sentiments of profound prayerful support, as the nation – people of Ukraine face the actions of aggression of the Russian Federation. The clergy and faithful of the UOC of the USA and Diaspora are truly united in spirit of prayer and action with our brethren in Ukraine and Ukrainians throughout the world.
The events of the last eight years that have led to the irresponsible behavior of political leaders of the Russian Federation in the past few days have finally awoken the worldwide community to the crimes against the civilized society that politicians of the Russian government have taken.
Throughout Ukraine’s history, millions of people have given their lives for freedom, dignity, and human rights, in order to claim the right to peace and stability as any other nation enjoys in the world. The voice of the peace-loving people of Ukraine must be heard and respected and it cannot be silenced by the noise of ammunition and actions of those in political and spiritual leadership positions who choose to confuse and abuse by utilizing violence – war, against the people of Ukraine.
The faithful of our Church in the USA and Diaspora are from the various parts of Ukraine. We all have family members and friends living in the East and West, North and South of Ukraine, and thus we are profoundly concerned for the wellbeing, stability, and security of the people of Ukraine that are threatened by the reports of the planned persecution and the crimes against humanity in Donbas region of Ukraine.
We join Your Beatitude, clergy, and faithful of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in prayer for the peace in the ancestral homeland for so many Ukrainian Christians in the United States of America and throughout the globe. We are standing with you and offer our assistance in the battle against the war crimes against the people of Ukraine. No physical force will ever succeed in eliminating the free will and the voice of the citizenry!
Embracing the gift of freedom with you, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and throughout the world, and in the hope of moving forward, rather than backward in history, we beseech with awe and thanksgiving the Father of lights and every perfect gift, the Son of righteousness and the Spirit of truth to descend upon us all, embrace us, guiding and perfecting our every deed.
+Antony, Metropolitan
+Jeremiah, Archbishop
+Daniel, Archbishop
