As the final days of spiritual preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ unfold, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine shared a message on social media reflecting on the deeper meaning of Christmas amid the ongoing trials facing Ukraine.
“For Christians,” he wrote, “Christmas is not only a remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, but also a testimony that God comes into the world precisely when it most needs light.” The Nativity, he emphasized, is the fulfillment of God’s promise: “What God promised has come to pass. The One who was to come has appeared.”
Metropolitan Epifaniy recalled that even though humanity had fallen into the depths of sin, God Himself descended into those depths to extend His hand and lead the faithful toward light and life. Quoting the Prophet Isaiah, he affirmed: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given… and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
He stressed that proclaiming the truth of Christ’s birth is not limited to words alone, but must be accompanied by good works. By glorifying Christ through both faith and action, believers participate in an event of profound historical and spiritual significance. “In this way,” he noted, “we testify to our faith in the victory of light over darkness, of good over evil, and in the triumph of God’s Kingdom where violence and falsehood reign today.”
Acknowledging that this path is neither easy nor painless, Metropolitan Epifaniy reminded the faithful that just as humanity once waited long for the coming of the Messiah, so today the hope for victory is not in vain. “In the struggle against evil we are not alone,” he wrote. “God’s love is with us, His mercy and His grace-filled help.”
This faith, he underlined, extends beyond personal spiritual life and sustains the daily struggle for freedom and truth. It strengthens Ukrainians in resisting Russian aggression, which for years has sought to strip the nation of its freedom and dignity. “We fight not out of blind hatred,” he explained, “but for the right to live in truth,” supported by people of goodwill and the democratic world. With God’s help and shared efforts, he expressed confidence that Ukraine can defend its future and achieve a just and lasting peace. “Just as the power of the tyrant Herod once fell,” he added, “so any tyranny built on evil has no future.”
In these days of Christmas, Metropolitan Epifaniy said that prayers are especially offered for those standing on the front lines in defense of the country. “To the brave defenders of Ukraine,” he wrote, “belong our gratitude and respect; they are our hope for a just peace.”
He concluded with a prayer that the Lord may strengthen them and all the people in the struggle, granting strength, wisdom, and protection, and bestowing upon the entire nation peace, freedom, and the light of Christ’s Nativity—“a light that does not fade, even in times of war.”
