Ukrainian Catholic Church Issues Appeal on 3rd Anniversary of War "God is with us and with all the persecuted"
February 24, 2025, marks the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified a total of 41,783 civilian casualties during Russia's invasion of Ukraine as of January 31, 2025. Of them, 29,178 people were reported to have been injured. However, OHCHR specified that the real numbers could be higher. The Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), a research group based at Sweden's Uppsala University, has tracked global civilian and combatant death tolls in conflicts since the 1980s by compiling and vetting reports from news organizations, NGOs and other research institutions. The UCDP estimates that 174,000 to 420,000 people have been killed during the three years of Russia's war in Ukraine. (Approximately 200,000 Russian troops)
The Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, currently taking place in Canada, has published its Address on the third anniversary of the start of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, currently taking place in Canada, has published its Address on the third anniversary of the start of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Address of the Permanent Synod of Bishops of the UGCC on the third anniversary of the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine
APPEAL
Permanent Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
on the occasion of the third anniversary
the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine
Three years ago, Ukrainians woke up to explosions and calls from anxious relatives, who uttered the terrible words: “The war has begun.” At dawn on February 24, 2022, the air raid siren sounded for the first time, and has not been silent for 1,097 days and nights since then.
Over the past three years, Ukrainians have learned to live in a full-scale war. The sound of sirens no longer terrifies us as it did at the beginning — it has become more of a warning, a signal for purposeful action. Most of us already know where the nearest shelter is and how much battery our phones have. We plan our lives around power outages. Businesses — large and small — are adapting and changing with incredible creativity. Military personnel, medics, and rescue workers are honing their speed and efficiency every day. Families separated by borders continue to stick together and support each other.
However, we are not used to war. One cannot get used to evil or come to terms with it. We have become stronger than we were on the morning of February 24, three years ago. We have not come to terms with losses. Each of them is pain. Each deceased lives in the memory of God and man. We remember and pray. We help and support. We fight and learn to be people with God-given dignity. We will never give up this dignity, and no one will take it away from us.
The destruction, loss, and trauma are enormous. Even if the war ended today, it would take decades to rebuild 3,500 schools, over 1,200 hospitals, 670 churches, thousands of kilometers of roads, hundreds of thousands of homes, power plants, and industrial enterprises.
It will be even harder to restore and heal human lives crippled by war. It is not only our land that is torn apart by craters from missiles, mines, and shells. Tens of thousands of military personnel and civilians have been seriously injured, hundreds of thousands are marked by deep emotional wounds. Tens of thousands of our children have been abducted from Ukraine, and today they are being raised with hatred for it. It will take extraordinary efforts to return almost seven million refugees to their homeland and to facilitate the safe return home of four million internally displaced persons, so that they can once again have a home — a place of safety, comfort, family love, and warmth.
However, we have not become a society of war — we have become a community of self-sacrifice. Ukraine is among the top ten countries in the world’s charity rankings. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians — men and women, young and old — have stood up to defend their homeland, its values, the very gift of life that the enemy seeks to take away. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Across the country, yellow-and-blue flags on graves remind us of their love and our gratitude. Millions donate money every day, and the word “collection” has become as familiar as “arrival.” The latter brings death, the former brings life.
Ukrainians have become the land of the Way of the Cross. As Christians, we know where it leads—to the Resurrection, to the fullness of life in freedom and dignity as God's children and God's people.
War tests our humanity, and in contrast to the immeasurable evil and death, Ukrainians offer self-sacrifice and dedication. Thanks to this sacrifice, we stand. For it, we thank everyone. With respect and deep gratitude, we support and pray for our defenders, no matter where they are: at the front or in the rear, in captivity or in hospitals. They and their families are under the omophorion of the Church's prayer.
We stand thanks to people of good will who continue to support us. On behalf of all the bishops of our Church, we express our gratitude to Catholics around the world, countries, peoples, politicians, charitable organizations, journalists, and doctors who have been with us for three years and remain with us. We have felt your kindness and solidarity. Thank you for your prayer, word, and action. God's power is our power.
Ukraine continues to need your voice and your solidarity. When the world talks about peace agreements, we must remind ourselves: Ukraine is not a territory, it is a people. It is for their dignity and freedom that our best sons and daughters give their lives. Ukrainians also sacrifice for the dignity and freedom of other peoples. This heroic dedication cannot be forgotten, devalued, or betrayed.
Russia brings death, destruction, and the destruction of religious freedom. Today, in the occupied territories, our brothers and sisters in faith — representatives of various confessions — are prisoners of a criminal aggressor. The occupiers have already killed 67 pastors of various confessions and Churches. Dozens survived captivity or continue to be punished in prisons. History teaches us that every time Russia occupies Ukraine, our Church is persecuted and banned. It was so in the 18th and 19th centuries, in 1946, and it is so now. We are obliged to be the voice of the persecuted, so that in no peace agreement the faith, dignity, and freedom of Ukrainians do not become a subject of bargaining. We are obliged to repeat that peace without justice is impossible. An unjust truce is a criminal mockery that will lead to even greater injustice and injustice.
We want to declare to the whole world that Ukrainians believe in the victory of God's truth. In the midst of pain, loss and destruction, we are and always will be a people of hope. We believe in the Resurrection, because we know: God is with us and with all the persecuted, persecuted, those who cry and suffer. We place all our hope in Him. Therefore, we continue to stand, fight, pray!
We know that one morning we will receive the long-awaited call: “The war is over,” and we will bring our prayers of thanks to the throne of the Most High.
Christ is risen!
Ukraine will rise!
† Sviatoslav
APPEAL
Permanent Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
on the occasion of the third anniversary
the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine
Three years ago, Ukrainians woke up to explosions and calls from anxious relatives, who uttered the terrible words: “The war has begun.” At dawn on February 24, 2022, the air raid siren sounded for the first time, and has not been silent for 1,097 days and nights since then.
Over the past three years, Ukrainians have learned to live in a full-scale war. The sound of sirens no longer terrifies us as it did at the beginning — it has become more of a warning, a signal for purposeful action. Most of us already know where the nearest shelter is and how much battery our phones have. We plan our lives around power outages. Businesses — large and small — are adapting and changing with incredible creativity. Military personnel, medics, and rescue workers are honing their speed and efficiency every day. Families separated by borders continue to stick together and support each other.
However, we are not used to war. One cannot get used to evil or come to terms with it. We have become stronger than we were on the morning of February 24, three years ago. We have not come to terms with losses. Each of them is pain. Each deceased lives in the memory of God and man. We remember and pray. We help and support. We fight and learn to be people with God-given dignity. We will never give up this dignity, and no one will take it away from us.
The destruction, loss, and trauma are enormous. Even if the war ended today, it would take decades to rebuild 3,500 schools, over 1,200 hospitals, 670 churches, thousands of kilometers of roads, hundreds of thousands of homes, power plants, and industrial enterprises.
It will be even harder to restore and heal human lives crippled by war. It is not only our land that is torn apart by craters from missiles, mines, and shells. Tens of thousands of military personnel and civilians have been seriously injured, hundreds of thousands are marked by deep emotional wounds. Tens of thousands of our children have been abducted from Ukraine, and today they are being raised with hatred for it. It will take extraordinary efforts to return almost seven million refugees to their homeland and to facilitate the safe return home of four million internally displaced persons, so that they can once again have a home — a place of safety, comfort, family love, and warmth.
However, we have not become a society of war — we have become a community of self-sacrifice. Ukraine is among the top ten countries in the world’s charity rankings. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians — men and women, young and old — have stood up to defend their homeland, its values, the very gift of life that the enemy seeks to take away. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Across the country, yellow-and-blue flags on graves remind us of their love and our gratitude. Millions donate money every day, and the word “collection” has become as familiar as “arrival.” The latter brings death, the former brings life.
Ukrainians have become the land of the Way of the Cross. As Christians, we know where it leads—to the Resurrection, to the fullness of life in freedom and dignity as God's children and God's people.
War tests our humanity, and in contrast to the immeasurable evil and death, Ukrainians offer self-sacrifice and dedication. Thanks to this sacrifice, we stand. For it, we thank everyone. With respect and deep gratitude, we support and pray for our defenders, no matter where they are: at the front or in the rear, in captivity or in hospitals. They and their families are under the omophorion of the Church's prayer.
We stand thanks to people of good will who continue to support us. On behalf of all the bishops of our Church, we express our gratitude to Catholics around the world, countries, peoples, politicians, charitable organizations, journalists, and doctors who have been with us for three years and remain with us. We have felt your kindness and solidarity. Thank you for your prayer, word, and action. God's power is our power.
Ukraine continues to need your voice and your solidarity. When the world talks about peace agreements, we must remind ourselves: Ukraine is not a territory, it is a people. It is for their dignity and freedom that our best sons and daughters give their lives. Ukrainians also sacrifice for the dignity and freedom of other peoples. This heroic dedication cannot be forgotten, devalued, or betrayed.
Russia brings death, destruction, and the destruction of religious freedom. Today, in the occupied territories, our brothers and sisters in faith — representatives of various confessions — are prisoners of a criminal aggressor. The occupiers have already killed 67 pastors of various confessions and Churches. Dozens survived captivity or continue to be punished in prisons. History teaches us that every time Russia occupies Ukraine, our Church is persecuted and banned. It was so in the 18th and 19th centuries, in 1946, and it is so now. We are obliged to be the voice of the persecuted, so that in no peace agreement the faith, dignity, and freedom of Ukrainians do not become a subject of bargaining. We are obliged to repeat that peace without justice is impossible. An unjust truce is a criminal mockery that will lead to even greater injustice and injustice.
We want to declare to the whole world that Ukrainians believe in the victory of God's truth. In the midst of pain, loss and destruction, we are and always will be a people of hope. We believe in the Resurrection, because we know: God is with us and with all the persecuted, persecuted, those who cry and suffer. We place all our hope in Him. Therefore, we continue to stand, fight, pray!
We know that one morning we will receive the long-awaited call: “The war is over,” and we will bring our prayers of thanks to the throne of the Most High.
Christ is risen!
Ukraine will rise!
† Sviatoslav
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