REGARDING THE INVASION OF UKRAINE BY THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION FROM THE LOCUM TENENS OF THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF CANADA
Your Grace!
Reverend Presbyters & Deacons!
Members of the Consistory Board & Presidium!
Beloved & Faithful Brothers & Sisters in Christ!
Today, 25 February 2022, marks the second day of unprovoked, brutal, and violent attacks on the sovereign territory of our peace-loving, free, independent ancestral homeland, Ukraine! The aggressor, the Russian Federation, lead by its dictatorial President, has declared – if not with precise terminology and words, certainly with manifested actions – a sinful war on the beautiful and glorious country which is home to our relatives and friends; a country in which exist some of the holiest places in Orthodoxy; a country which is the source of our identity, personal and collective history, and Orthodox Christian spirituality.
My dear ones! I know many of you feel sorrow, shock, anger and are in disbelief. Now is not the time to be overcome by our emotions or to submit to panic, but to channel our energy into good, Godly works for the benefit of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. We are members of a vast and active Ukrainian diaspora! Let us, each one of us, take up the challenge to add our talents to productive activism!
Therefore, in response to the current war of aggression against our people, I bless all our churches to be active centres of prayer and “havens for the storm-tossed.” Wherever possible, our churches should be accessible daily for prayer and solace. I bless our priests to add to their schedules of worship regular reading of the Akathist to the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos (a standard bilingual edition is being prepared and will be published on the web site of our Church). Additionally, I bless all members of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada to support initiatives coordinated by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Working with these organizations will bring maximum effectiveness to our humanitarian aid for Ukraine and her citizens. Finally, support one another – this is critical in these circumstances!
Beloved in Christ! What has occurred is beyond our power to change, but what follows can be determined by our collective efforts to be bearers of the Light of Christ and warriors for peace, and workers for holiness in this fallen, sinful world. We may find ourselves frustratingly distanced from the place that so needs our help, but we are, nevertheless are armed with precisely the weapons required for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters: our prayers for their salvation and our resolve and ability to ensure that truth and justice prevails through our productive activism as a Ukrainian Orthodox community in this blessed country, Canada.
Through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, the intercessions of the honourable Heavenly Bodiless Powers, and all the saints of the lands of Kyivan Rus’-Ukraine, may the blessings of our Lord be upon the pious and faithful people of Ukraine and you all!
With archpastoral affection in Christ, the Lord,
Ilarion, Bishop of Edmonton & the Western Eparchy
Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan Cathedral
