The Head of the Church: "We are here to say resolutely “no” to the terrorism in all its forms"

Together with the other members of churches and religious organizations of Ukraine the Head of the UGCC led the Pace for peace from Monument to Taras Shevchenko to Independence Square, where there was a memorial service for fallen soldiers in the war in eastern Ukraine and the dead civilians, who were shot by “Grad” (“Hail” – the system of volley fire) on 13 January in the bus by pro-russian fighters under Volnovakha.

There were over twenty thousand people who came to take part in the Pace of Peace to certify their solidarity with our heroes, who died at the hands of the enemy in our land.

 President of Ukraine Poroshenko and his wife, Prime Minister of Ukraine Yatsenyuk, the representatives of churches and religious organizations in Ukraine also took part in that event. From the UGCC there were Bishop Bogdan (Dziurakh) and Josyf (Milian), who came to express their solidarity with the innocently murdered.

In His address to the Ukrainians His Beatitude Sviatoslav said that today we have become participants and witnesses of "an unprecedented event in the history of our independent Homeland". "Some people say we became the participants of the Peace Pace. And it is justly, because we are here to say resolutely "no" to terrorism in all its forms and strong "no" to violence against the person. And even the most blasphemy against God the Father is the terrorism in the name of God"- stressed the Head of the Church.

Some, He says, called an event the Solidarity Pace. "And it is true - said Archbishop - because today Ukraine unites, in all its parts. Today the world community unites with us in different cities around the world. Today we are together to unite our decisive "no" to aggression and violence".

According to Him today's event can be called the Pace of Dignity. "Because we want to affirm and attest the sanctity and dignity of every person, no matter what language he or she speaks, what religion professes, what belief cherishes in his or her heart. Every human person is created by the image and likeness of God. He is the most dignified creature in this world. We also want to testify today your and our dignity, as dignified, free citizens of an independent, free state", - stressed the Head of the Church.

"Today we can say – supposes His Beatitude Sviatoslav that this event is a Pace for Life. We want to affirm the sanctity of every human life. And our duty is to protect human life. Today we have to unite in defence of human life, provide solidarity in our duty to defend our country, our land, our brothers and sisters".

In conclusion, all the present commemorated the victims of terrorists with a moment of silence and lit memorable candles.

Photos by "Ukrainian Pravda" (“Ukrainian Truth”)

UGCC Department of Information