In Ukraine, people fear the worst. The war that began in 2014 has already left two million internally displaced people and a devastating economic crisis. Though the last months have been less violent, Russia has increased its military presence along the border.
ABP. SVIATOSLAV SHEVCHUK
Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
“The violence has decreased somewhat in intensity, but blood is still being shed. Every day, we receive news of more soldiers dying. I must say that in Ukraine, people fear a new direct invasion by the Russian army.”
The leader of the country's main Catholic Church, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, says the people are afraid. They fear losing everything to the war.
ABP. SVIATOSLAV SHEVCHUK
Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
“We asked ourselves what we could do in this situation. And I was struck by the response of a Protestant. He was a brother from the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He said, 'Even if we lose everything, we are willing to give up everything except our faith in God.'”
For Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the example set by Christians during the Soviet occupation remains very relevant today.
ABP. SVIATOSLAV SHEVCHUK
Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
“I was fortunate enough to meet priests from the underground Church who were willing to die for their faith. They were put in jail two or three times. Tortured. But when they were let go, they continued to carry out their pastoral work.”
It doesn't seem that tensions with Russia will end anytime soon. And challenging times are coming. That's why the Major Archbishop hopes that the Christian community will not lose sight of the example set by their predecessors during the Soviet occupation.
Javier Romero
TR: CT
