Ukraine: a flame that warms the poor and lights up Creation
The Candles of Stritennya is an initiative, carried out by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church s Office for Ecology in the effort to provide aid to poor people in the Eastern European nation. It stems from the wish to care for Creation in line with Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato sì .
By Svitlana Dukhovych - Vatican City
Since February last, the light of Candlemas has continued to burn in the homes of Ukrainians. Thanks to the Candles of Stritennya the hearts of many poor people, whose conditions have worsened due to the hardships caused by the pandemic, have been lifted. In Ukraine, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord is amongst the most important observances of the liturgical year, for both Orthodox and Greek Catholics who celebrate it on 15 February, according to the Julian calendar.
Major Archbishop Shevchuk urges Ukrainians to be courageous
In a message for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on the eve of Christmas, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Schevchuk talks of his hopes for peace in the war-torn nation and of unity in a divided world.
By Vatican News staff writer
“Do not be afraid” says Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC).
This message “of the angels given to the pastors who were in vigil with their sheep” is the same one that he chooses to send to Ukrainian Greek Catholics worldwide as they prepare to celebrate Christmas.