Metropolitan Epifaniy of Ukraine made a post on social media about the resilience of the Ukrainian people, the power of faith, and the symbolic consecration of a new church built during the ongoing war in Kharkiv region.
Describing Kharkiv as “under special attack from our enemy,” the Metropolitan emphasized the destruction caused by Russian forces and the spiritual strength that continues to flourish despite the suffering.
“He bombs it, destroys it out of hatred and inability to understand our true spiritual strength and will to live,” Epifaniy wrote. “The enemy fires, and Ukrainians respond. The enemy intimidates, and Ukrainians continue to live and love life even more. The enemy destroys, and we build, restore, and revive.”
The Metropolitan shared that a new church has been built in the village of Kovyahy, Kharkiv region, a significant act of faith and unity amidst war.
“It is truly a miracle, for which we thank the Lord, that in this difficult time of war trials, we do not lower our hands, do not lose heart, but build new churches,” he stated.
On the day of the consecration, he presided over the sanctification of the altar and the church, dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, along with the hierarchs and clergy of the Kharkiv diocese.
“Despite resistance and trials, we built this church together as a sign of God’s visible blessing upon all of us.”
The Metropolitan reminded believers that the church is not just a building, but a sacred space for spiritual renewal and connection to divine grace: “The church for us is a place of God’s presence and power, a place of prayer and memory. We turn to the church with our soul to draw that invisible divine grace that strengthens our weak physical and spiritual forces.”
His message also highlighted the role of the Virgin Mary as a protector of Ukraine, especially on the feast day commemorating the Placement of the Honorable Robe of the Theotokos in Blachernae: “We especially ask our Heavenly Mother to continue to care for us as Her children, to protect and guard each of us from all evil.”
In closing, Metropolitan Epifaniy offered prayers for Ukrainian soldiers, chaplains, and all citizens: “Our sincere prayers are for all our modern-day heroes — the warriors, thanks to whom we can build churches, gather under a relatively peaceful sky, pray and thank God in our native language, in our native Ukrainian Church.”
His final call was for unity, spiritual and national, in the face of adversity: “We are united in our desire for victory over the enemy, for the establishment of a just and lasting peace. In unity is our strength and our victory. Let us be united!”
