31 December 2025
Dear brothers and sisters!
I wholeheartedly greet you on the coming New Year and the nearing bright feast of the Nativity of Christ!
We have approached another landmark after a year of severe trials. A year of worries, pain; but at the same time, a year of important spiritual lessons. It again reminded us about a truth forgotten by many: nothing is more precious than peace. Not a temporary truce, not a political bargain with signatures on paper but peace as a Gift of God.
That blessed condition which is not given by the powers that be but implored for by a humble heart. Peace begins inside man. And unless we find it in our own souls, it will not be established steadfastly in our long-suffering land either.
Unfortunately, in 2025, we often saw only an imitation of aspiration for peace. Too many forces that profit from the war are interested in the continuation of the bloodshed between the Orthodox peoples. But the ball is rolling. Illusions about a 'military victory' at all costs are dispelled. It is becoming obvious for both many politicians and ever broader masses of people that the outcome of this horrible conflict should be determined not on the battlefield but at the negotiations table.
The year 2025, which is already becoming history, will be remembered not only for sleepless nights under the roar of alarms, not only for atrocities of officials of territorial recruitment centres and the police, and total violation of the rights of citizens, but also for high-profile corruption scandals, which threw off a lot of masks and exposed the rot of the system. The authorities had to make concessions, and many who just yesterday believed Zelenskyy's honeyed words have now understood: 'The king is naked.' The times when the authorities could feel bold and unpunished are passing. And it instills hope for the sobering of society. It is very important to distinguish between our friends and enemies. It is very important to understand who wants good and who brings evil.
One of the hardest blows in the passing year was received by our Mother Church. It was a year of overt attempts to legislatively ban our canonical and centuries-old Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a year of persecution of hierarchs and priests, of pressure upon millions of believers. There were attempts to deprive us of our history, culture, and even steal the date of Christmas, turning a great sacred thing into an empty formality. All of it is neither an accident nor a mistake. It is an attempt to separate us from our roots, deprive us of our inner foundation, cover up one's own lack of professionalism and failures committed against the background of war, in order to make it easier to rule over the fragmented people and keep brazenly robbing them.
But this persecution was what showed the strength of our unity. We saw UOC faithful start to organise themselves: they managed to defend the cathedral in Chernovtsy, they held an impressive Cross Procession to the Pochaev Lavra despite all the obstacles. The spiritual fibre, the main wealth, and the core basis of our people — Orthodoxy — is preserved in this unwavering standing for the Truth and righteousness, without malice or aggression.
In such times, true Christianity is known not according to loud words but according to works. According to the ability to notice one's neighbour, lend a helping hand, share other person's grief, be faithful till the end. The Church is what remains that space where man is not alone, where love overcomes all fear. And make no mistake — the peace of God never comes where hearts are hardened by malice and hatred, but it will definitely enter a home where faith, forgiveness, and mercy dwell.
Very soon, we will hear the glad tidings, 'Christ is born — glorify Him!' God became Man so that we may become partakers of His life even here, on earth. And if Christ dwells in our hearts, no outer storms — neither political nor everyday — will be able to ruin our inner peace.
I believe: the year 2026 will become the year of light which dispels the blackness of years-long darkness. Let us remember that all trials are sent to us for the strengthening and salvation of our eternal souls. They expose the main thing in us: what we actually rely upon in our lives, and whom we truly trust in.
May the next year become a year of God's mercy and a year of real, long-awaited peace.
Blessed is he who has not given in to fear and has not exchanged the Truth for false pacification in the current turmoil. I wish all of us faith and faithfulness, strength of spirit, courage, and love. May the Lord protect our families and strengthen our Holy Church.
Happy New Year and the coming Nativity of Christ!
Peace, good, and the blessing of God to all of us!
All related news I wholeheartedly greet you on the coming New Year and the nearing bright feast of the Nativity of Christ!
We have approached another landmark after a year of severe trials. A year of worries, pain; but at the same time, a year of important spiritual lessons. It again reminded us about a truth forgotten by many: nothing is more precious than peace. Not a temporary truce, not a political bargain with signatures on paper but peace as a Gift of God.
That blessed condition which is not given by the powers that be but implored for by a humble heart. Peace begins inside man. And unless we find it in our own souls, it will not be established steadfastly in our long-suffering land either.
Unfortunately, in 2025, we often saw only an imitation of aspiration for peace. Too many forces that profit from the war are interested in the continuation of the bloodshed between the Orthodox peoples. But the ball is rolling. Illusions about a 'military victory' at all costs are dispelled. It is becoming obvious for both many politicians and ever broader masses of people that the outcome of this horrible conflict should be determined not on the battlefield but at the negotiations table.
The year 2025, which is already becoming history, will be remembered not only for sleepless nights under the roar of alarms, not only for atrocities of officials of territorial recruitment centres and the police, and total violation of the rights of citizens, but also for high-profile corruption scandals, which threw off a lot of masks and exposed the rot of the system. The authorities had to make concessions, and many who just yesterday believed Zelenskyy's honeyed words have now understood: 'The king is naked.' The times when the authorities could feel bold and unpunished are passing. And it instills hope for the sobering of society. It is very important to distinguish between our friends and enemies. It is very important to understand who wants good and who brings evil.
One of the hardest blows in the passing year was received by our Mother Church. It was a year of overt attempts to legislatively ban our canonical and centuries-old Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a year of persecution of hierarchs and priests, of pressure upon millions of believers. There were attempts to deprive us of our history, culture, and even steal the date of Christmas, turning a great sacred thing into an empty formality. All of it is neither an accident nor a mistake. It is an attempt to separate us from our roots, deprive us of our inner foundation, cover up one's own lack of professionalism and failures committed against the background of war, in order to make it easier to rule over the fragmented people and keep brazenly robbing them.
But this persecution was what showed the strength of our unity. We saw UOC faithful start to organise themselves: they managed to defend the cathedral in Chernovtsy, they held an impressive Cross Procession to the Pochaev Lavra despite all the obstacles. The spiritual fibre, the main wealth, and the core basis of our people — Orthodoxy — is preserved in this unwavering standing for the Truth and righteousness, without malice or aggression.
In such times, true Christianity is known not according to loud words but according to works. According to the ability to notice one's neighbour, lend a helping hand, share other person's grief, be faithful till the end. The Church is what remains that space where man is not alone, where love overcomes all fear. And make no mistake — the peace of God never comes where hearts are hardened by malice and hatred, but it will definitely enter a home where faith, forgiveness, and mercy dwell.
Very soon, we will hear the glad tidings, 'Christ is born — glorify Him!' God became Man so that we may become partakers of His life even here, on earth. And if Christ dwells in our hearts, no outer storms — neither political nor everyday — will be able to ruin our inner peace.
I believe: the year 2026 will become the year of light which dispels the blackness of years-long darkness. Let us remember that all trials are sent to us for the strengthening and salvation of our eternal souls. They expose the main thing in us: what we actually rely upon in our lives, and whom we truly trust in.
May the next year become a year of God's mercy and a year of real, long-awaited peace.
Blessed is he who has not given in to fear and has not exchanged the Truth for false pacification in the current turmoil. I wish all of us faith and faithfulness, strength of spirit, courage, and love. May the Lord protect our families and strengthen our Holy Church.
Happy New Year and the coming Nativity of Christ!
Peace, good, and the blessing of God to all of us!
