" Ukrainian Diaspora is a bridge not only to positive but also to negative ? " - Bishop Boris (Gudziak )

This year's pilgrimage , which was also attended by Ukrainian centers of Germany and the Netherlands , was led by Eparch of the Ukrainians of France, Benelux and Switzerland Bishop Boris ( Gudziak ). He answered a few questions of radio " Freedom ".

- Each pilgrimage is an opportunity for us to reflect on our spiritual lives, reconciliation, on what weighs heavily on us, what  humbles and raises us. Our people , who are now celebrating the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism , has a great tradition , but there are many vices and problems. The sons of Prince Vladimir fought among themselves Sviatopolk killed Boris and Gleb. They became the protomartyrs  thousands of years before Martin Luther King. They displayed martyrdoms  like Christ, they took martyrdoms  not to revenge. And this is a pilgrimage for us to forgive each other , because God forgave us , and He does so because he sacrificed himself to us. We, Ukrainians, must forgive each other , we must cooperate , we must be united .

- The Ukrainian people are known to be divided by different features: political, religious and linguistic. What is the way out of this situation? How to unite ?

- Solution is unlikely to be magic . It will not be a lottery or " Nescafe " - powder and boiling water  and you have some pleasure. The fact is that if I am personally willing to put up with my neighbor, if I'm willing to live with my parents, children, male or female in peace. And the world - it's like embroidery. It consists of individual crosses . Its injuries should be treated by hard spiritual work . These severe injuries are caused by violence, totalitarianism , ideology , which destroyed  human dignity. I think we have already gone some way . We have already get  out of the prison of nations , but as two generations of  the biblical people of Israel  went so we will walk two generations to greater tranquility , peace and harmony. Everyone should think: where can I find and create peace in my life? Can I relieve my heart from  whimpering , complaints and execration ? Can I stop judging and slander ?

- What is the role of the Ukrainian diaspora in the unification process ?

- Diaspora , especially the young one, has a special opportunity. It can look at the Ukrainian nation from the point of view of comparing it to the examples of other nations. We have a lot of positives , we have  a sense of holiness, there is such liturgical tradition  and explicit ( clear ) spirituality. But other nations have systems are healthy processes that ensure peace of life. I think looking closely at it we can learn. And our diaspora can be a bridge for us to bring some positive things. God grant that it will not become a bridge of negativity , because Europe is in a deep demographic crisis. people do not want children because children bring a married couple some discomfort and  disadvantage , become a burden. People refuses the thing that gives life . So after some 25-50 years we can see a very different Europe - Europe of the Arabs or Chinese . It is a statement of fact. God loves all people of all nations and races. But all of us need to realize that life and vitality is a hard work, exploit, faithful marriage, procreation, the work of raising children . Some people are  looking at Europe and believe that Europeans are light-minded. They are attractive , they are relatively rich, but they forget the basic things: family love, procreation and up-bringing children , and the future is impossible without all these.

www.radiosvoboda.org