From the Head of the UGCC on Day 73 of the War: Feeding the hungry has become one of this war’s greatest humanitarian challenges

Sunday, 08 May 2022, 09:43

Hunger has become the enemy’s weapon of war, directed specifically against civilians. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, made this observation in his daily address on the 73rd day of Russia's war against Ukraine.

See also:

Video-message of His Beatitude Sviatoslav. May 19th, 85th day of war
From the Head of the UGCC on the 85th day of the war: Today the whole world sees the true will of Ukraine – to be a free, independent state
His Beatitude Sviatoslav announces the upcoming 2022 Synod of UGCC Bishops

The Primate noted that despite this enormous pressure, despite the warfare’s high intensity, the fatigue caused by such a protracted confrontation, the deep wounds and number of casualties, -- particularly among the civilian population, -- Ukraine is standing, Ukraine is fighting. And the determination to defend the Motherland only grows from each day to the next.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that although a number of civilians have been evacuated, the tragedy in Mariupol continues to unfold before the eyes of the world.

Today the Head of the Church reflected on a question that the laity has often posed to the clergy during the past two months.

“Christian Tradition teaches that the spiritual struggle of resisting the forces of evil brings forth good deeds, strange as that may seem. Evil deeds, sins, destroy a person spiritually, morally, even psychologically. On the other hand, good deeds build up a person, and even heal wounds. A person’s good deeds are indispensable for spiritual hygiene,” remarked the Primate.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav stated that the Catechism of our Church names seven works of spiritual mercy and seven works of corporal, or physical mercy.

“Today, let us begin with the first corporal work of mercy towards our neighbor. This work is well known to all of us - to feed the hungry. We see that the war is causing various degrees of intensity of hunger in different parts of Ukraine,” stated the Head of the Church.

According to the Primate, helping our neighbor find a slice of bread means helping that person not only live another day, but also helps him understand that God cares about him.

His Beatitude thanked the whole world, which is delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

On the boxes that come to Ukraine from different parts of the world, one can read words of encouragement and support, -- and the gratitude that the donors feel, being able to perform the good deed of feeding their neighbor.

The UGCC Department of Information