Condolence letter of the UGCC Head to the Ambassadors of foreign countries whose citizens suffered tragic loss of lives due to alleged terrorist attack on jul.17 2014

It is with great sadness that we have learned about the shooting down of a Malaysian airliner allegedly by terrorists with 298 people on board over eastern Ukraine. Hundreds of victims of military aggression against Ukraine were joined by the innocent lives of the citizens of other nations, including from your country. This tragedy has revealed that evil, which has been severing the body of our nation in recent months, is a real threat to the peace and security of the whole world.

Deeply saddened by this crime, we would like to convey our deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of the lost ones. Please be assured of our prayers and our closeness in this grief which became also our grief. “All Merciful Lord, embrace with Your loving care the souls of the innocently killed, and place them in the heavenly home of the righteous ones, granting them eternal peace and blessedness!”

Our entire Church prays for the eternal repose of the souls of the innocently killed. We remain united in our prayers with the families of the deceased and with all those suffering due to this tragedy.

We call upon the international community to employ all possible means to stop military aggression against Ukraine, to restore peace, and to prevent similar tragedy in the future. Let us pray to Almighty God to grant the gift of lasting peace for Ukraine and for the entire world.

+ Sviatoslav (Shevchuk)
Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych,
Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church