photo: facebook of the Verkhovna Rada
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During yesterday’s Easter service in the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Lviv, the abbot, Father Taras Mykhalchuk, read three greetings from the warriors on the frontline. They say they are proud of their people, thank them for their prayers, which cover them from bullets like a dome and believe in victory.
The father told the faithful that when he was thinking about what to say today during his preaching, he decided to write to his friends, the military, who are now at the forefront. They sent their congratulations, he read a few. People in the temple cried with emotion.
«Even at Christmas, we prayed with them here in the temple, but today they are defending our independence. It is not easy for them there. Last night and in the middle of the night, Easter greetings came to you from them, those who are there, on the front line,» – he said.
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«Christ is Risen. I am writing these words from the forefront, where there are fierce battles for our freedom. It is a great honour for me that these words will be heard on such a day in the best temple for me. It is nice to hear them from my friend, the abbot of this temple. Back in the cadet years, my colleagues and I helped bring books out of this church. I want to congratulate everyone on this great holiday, to express my gratitude to everyone who helps in these difficult times. Wish everyone peace, unity, love of neighbour and the Lord God, faith in a bright future of patience and courage. We stand firm, we have nowhere to retreat. Ukraine is our land and we will fight for it to the end. We are strong, we are Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine, glory to its Armed Forces,» – he read one of the congratulations.
«The battle has just ended. It is a great honour for me to address you today. On behalf of our department, we congratulate you on the Resurrection of Christ. On this bright, beautiful day, we want to wish peace and freedom to every Ukrainian. Don’t worry about us, we are under a solid dome of your prayers. The occupiers had just tried to storm the city, but to no avail. We are all alive. This is a real Easter miracle. Thank you for your support, thank you for going through all this with us,» – Father Taras read the second greeting.
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«I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, for praying for us. For people like Ukrainians, we don’t regret giving anything: neither health nor life. Congratulations to you, my majestic people, thank you for your care and support of the Armed Forces and the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Thank you all for not giving up, for being steadfast. I am full with pride for you, for doing incredible things. Now, we are one family, all one, this is our strength. Everything will be Ukraine,» – the third greeting said.
It will be recalled that migrants from Crimea in Lviv baked Easter bread for Ukrainian warriors on the frontline, you can see the photo report from the «Crimean bakery» here. Also on the eve of Easter, about a thousand Easter cakes were consecrated at the Warrior’s House in Lviv and sent to Ukrainian defenders. The consecration ceremony was conducted by the rector of the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Father Taras Mykhalchuk.
Translated by Vitalii Holich
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