Metropolitan Epifaniy condemns deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv
His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine expressed deep sorrow and condemnation following the recent Russian missile attacks on Kyiv, which resulted in one of the deadliest nights for the Ukrainian capital since the war began. At least 14 people, including one American, lost their lives, with many others injured.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that “twenty-seven locations across various districts of the capital were targeted by enemy strikes tonight. Among them were numerous residential buildings, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure.” The death toll in Kyiv reached 14, with 44 people injured in the capital and another six wounded in Odesa.
On social media, Metropolitan Epifaniy shared a heartfelt message condemning the attacks: “Another terrible night for Kyiv and Ukraine, during which the enraged servants of the Kremlin tyrant continued to multiply their crimes against humanity. The result – civilian deaths, many wounded, destroyed and damaged homes.
Both enemies and some allies wonder why Ukraine resists and refuses to comply with Russian demands to prevent such nights from happening again. The answer is simple and obvious for Ukrainians: we do not want, and we have no right, to allow our country and our people to be engulfed in such a night of terror, destruction, and murder – for decades to come.
One hundred years ago, Ukraine was occupied by the Kremlin’s red gangs, and as a result, the entire 20th century, until the fall of the Soviet Union, was a time of suffering for the Ukrainian people. Millions of lives were taken or shattered by the Kremlin tyranny through the Holodomor genocide, waves of repression, and totalitarian rule, where human rights and dignity were empty words. We do not want and cannot allow the evil Russian empire to continue its night of terror for new decades!
From the testimonies of those who survived Russian occupation and captivity, from examples in Bucha and Mariupol, Bakhmut and Izyum, and many other towns and villages under Russian control, we clearly see and know: complying with Russian demands means terror, slavery, destruction, and death for Ukrainians. Therefore, to have a future and true peace for ourselves, Europe, and all humanity, Ukraine resists. And thus, it asks and demands the civilized world to help stop the terrorist Kremlin regime, disrupt its plans to destroy Ukraine, end daily Russian crimes against humanity, and punish the criminals.
Psalm 63: Hear my voice in my prayer, O God; preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords and shoot deadly words like arrows, secretly shooting the innocent; suddenly they shoot and do not fear. They plot evil with malice; they search out evil schemes. They lurk deep in their hearts.
But God will strike them with an arrow; suddenly they will be struck down. They will be destroyed by their own words.
All who see them will flee in terror. Fear will come upon them, and they will proclaim the works of God, for they understand His deeds.”
Source: orthodoxtimes.com
