www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Statement of Met. Antony of Borisopol on Ukraine

У ніч з 18 на 19 лютого, під час триваючих в центрі Києва кривавих зіткнень, прес-служба Української Православної Церкви оприлюднила наступний коментар митрополита Бориспільського та Броварського Антонія, керуючого справами Української Православної Церкви:

«З самого початку політичної кризи й протягом всього періоду протистояння Українська Православна Церква неодноразово закликала до припинення насильства та мирного розв’язання конфлікту. На превеликий жаль, голос Церкви не був почутий. 18 лютого на вулицях Києва знову відновилось силове протистояння, пролилася кров, загинули люди. В ці хвилини ми чуємо тривожні повідомлення про нові зіткнення на Майдані Незалежності.

В цей важкий час ми ще і ще раз категорично засуджуємо кровопролиття і закликаємо: зупиніться! Негайно припиніть насильство і відновіть діалог!

Наша країна вже третій місяць балансує на межі національної катастрофи. Зараз усі, і влада, і опозиція, і кожен з нас мають усвідомити відповідальність перед Богом за свої вчинки. Загроза громадянської війни та економічного краху в Україні стає, на жаль, все більш реальною.

Закликаємо сторони протистояння: Браття й сестри! Не розривайте Україну!

Закликаємо всіх вірних: молімось й благаймо Господа, щоб Він напоумив нас та вказав шлях до примирення».

On the night of February18th and 19th, while bloody clahes continued in the center of Kiev,, the press service of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church published the following comment byMetropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovarskiy , manager of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church:

"From the beginning of the political crisis and conflict and throughout this period, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has repeatedly called for an end to violence and peaceful conflict resolution . Unfortunately, the voice of the Church has not been heard. On 18 February the streets of Kiev violent confrontation , bloodshed , killing people again resumed. At this moment we hear disturbing reports of new clash on Independence Square.

At this difficult time we once again strongly condemn bloodshed and call : STOP! Immediately stop the violence and resume the dialogue !

Our country is now in its third month on the verge of a national disaster. Now everyone , both the authorities and the opposition, and each of us must recognize our responsibility before God for their actions. The threat of civil war and economic collapse in Ukraine is , unfortunately , more and more real.

We urge the parties in conflict : Brothers and sisters! Ukraine does not break !

We appeal to all the faithful : Let us pray and Entreat the LORD , that He instructs us and points the way to reconciliation . "

In my tradition the 18th of February is the Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther, who frequently wrote that he feared anarchy more than he feared tyranny. The Ukraine situation is illustrative.

Some of Luther's prayers seem well suited to this situation:

O Father of all mercy,
you have begun your work in us. Continue to fill us with all dimensions of
wisdom and knowledge.

Help us to grow in the knowledge of your dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and to
remain firm in confessing his blessed word. Give us the love to be agreed in
mind and to serve one another in Christ.

May we not be afraid of that which is disagreeable, nor of the rage of the flame- thrower whose weapon is almost extinguished. Dear Father, guard us so
that his craftiness may not take the place of our pure faith.

Grant that our cross and suffering may direct us to a blessed and sure hope of the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, for whom we wait each day.

Dear Lord God, bring blessedness and kingdom of Christ. Send us faithful and God-fearing teachers who will reveal your name to the world and proclaim that you are gracious and merciful, forgiving us
our sins for the sake of your Son. He will grant us eternal life in order that all people may rely on your grace and mercy, call upon you, and give you praise and thanks, now and always and for ever and ever.

History is replete with the truth that if a society's choices are limited to anarchy or repressive tyranny, the tyrant will prevail.

I fear that the desire to have some degree of order will lead to tyranny - not oligarchic corruption, but true, repressive tyranny.

God save the good people of all faiths and those of little or no faith living in Ukraine. Lord, have mercy.

Prayers for the Ukrainians.

Sad to say, I have heard that the only people the Ukrainians hate more than the Russians, are each other.

I've heard the same about the Rusyns as our sad history in ecclesiastical matters belies.

byzanTN

You really haven't any idea what you are talking about based on, by your own admission, hearsay evidence.

This is a revolt against corruption and millionaire politicians with real blood on their hands.

They are out and on the run, thank God.

Alex

I wish them all the best. Time will tell whether or not the Ukrainians can pull together and form a united nation, or whether the factions start fighting each other all over again. It's not like the alphabet soup of patriarchates hasn't been at each other's throats for years. I hope the people can get past all that.

Dear Charles,

Forgive my abruptness sir!

Religion and politics have divided us in the past. Not really any more. The whole issue of "who is canonical or not" and the issue of the "legitimacy" of EC's is no longer when Ukrainians begin to think and act as . . . Ukrainians.

This is all new, but we shall see. The support of the Churches and of our priests, EC and Orthodox, have given them great moral capital that politicians can only dream for.

God bless.

Alex