A message of support to the afflicted Ukrainian people, but also condemnation of the Russian invasion was sent by the Archbishop of America during the Ecumenical Council, which was held for the sake of peace in the Orthodox Cathedral of the Ukrainian Church in Ukraine. “In the last two weeks, people have been seeing Russia start an unjust and violent invasion of Ukraine.
“In these difficult times, we pray for those whose lives are affected by this brutal attack,” Elpidoforos said during his speech.
The ceremony was attended by the Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of America, Hierapolis Antonios, Archbishop Daniel Pamphilus, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and the Executive Vice President of the Rabbis of New York, Iosif Poik. The “present” at the event was given, among others, the governor of New York, Kathy Hawkul.
For his part, the American archbishop unequivocally condemned the Russian invasion, saying that the responsibility for the bloodshed falls on the shoulders of Vladimir Putin.
As he characteristically noted, “violence is sin. No war can be considered sacred, not even just, in an attempt to present itself as morally acceptable. “Today’s bloodshed in Ukraine is the responsibility of Vladimir Putin, who is jeopardizing world peace over his own selfish political agenda.”
Mr. Elpidoforos spoke of a “fratricide” between Russians and Ukrainians and recalled the message of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. “Stop the war now. Immediately stop any act of violence, anything that spreads pain and death. Let reason prevail, as well as love for fellow human beings, reconciliation and solidarity, the light of the risen Christ, the gift of life “.
Finally, the governor of New York expressed the readiness of the American big city to receive the refugees from Ukraine and made special reference to the active Ukrainian community.
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