Archbishop Lubomyr Husarrisu.org.ua - The government has driven us over the edge. The nation feels this very, very strongly, is fired up – the people have been mobilized to support their fundamental interests, to support their freedom. This is how Archbishop Lubomyr Husar described in a comment to a journalist from Kyiv, Dmytro Krykun, the appearance in many Ukrainian cities of areas to support the European integration of Ukraine (EuroMaidans).

“It is too bad that older people are not very actively supporting the youth’s actions. But it is clear that the youth should be particularly concerned because it is their future,” said the former head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

The archbishop emeritus noted that only the people are the bearers of truth and power.

“It's hard to say what the politicians’ motivation was to join the public’s EuroMaidan. But thank God that it happened. I hope that the politicians did it with noble motives. They are beginning to think about statehood, and this is a great moment. It is very good that they surrendered and realized that it is the people who are the bearers of truth and power. A very important point is that politicians rolled up their party flags and stood under the state flag. It is very important that politicians are not speaking against anyone but for Ukraine. And I hope that President Yanukovych in Vilnius will speak on behalf of Ukraine. And that he will understand that his strength is not in his party, but in those who stand on Maidan.

“If someone from Europe looks at Maidan, he will see another nation, another, true Ukraine,” said Archbishop Lubomyr Husar.


Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)