Leading Ukrainian prelate encourages young soldiers

March 31, 2015

In a pastoral letter to the youth of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk praised the generosity of young people and called upon them to turn to the Gospel, read Sacred Scripture, and seek the wisdom of God.

Addressing young soldiers, he said:

Dear friends and brothers! Hardship and the grave task of defending our homeland from adversaries is the fate that fell upon you. You accepted this challenge upon yourselves and exhibit admirable tenacity and dedication. Therefore, when we say today that young people “must live for Ukraine,” above all we think about you.

Looking at your achievements that you so faithfully and persistently realize day after day, we cannot but recognize that you have trod on the path of the fullness of life, because the fullness of life is found in love. And what is love? Our Savior assures us that, “greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:13). To paraphrase Christ, we can say that no one is capable of living a more full life than the one who is ready to surrender his own earthly life out of love for one’s neighbor, and love for one’s country. Remember that our mother, the Church, prays for you continuously, supports you and, together with your earthly mothers, awaits your return home.

 

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Further information:

• Pastoral Letter of His Beatitude Sviatoslav to the Youth (UGCC)