In our historical and paternal love for our beloved people of Ukraine, especially after their recent joyous celebrations of the 1025th anniversary since the baptism of the Kievan Rus, we cannot but express our heartfelt sorrow as well as our compassionate concern at the unfortunate and painful events unfolding over the last days in Kiev.
It is deeply heartbreaking for us to witness through the media how the festive joy that only months ago assembled the crowds in religious processions has been eclipsed by the shocking violence encountered today in the very same streets.
Therefore, we appeal to God’s mercy and grace that He may protect and illumine all people involved so that no further hurt might be inflicted and all disagreement may be peacefully resolved. Even as we are on pilgrimage at Myra of Lycea (in Asia Minor) for the commemoration of the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, who is celebrated for “pacifying stormy seas,” we pray that he might intercede to the almighty God that calm and reason may prevail in dispersing the dark clouds of division and tribulation in Ukraine.
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