His Beatitude expresses condolences in connection with shelling of Ukraine

The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, has expressed condolences to the families of the killed and those affected by the massive rocket attack on Ukraine on 29 December 2023.

His Beatitude wrote that "the heart of our country is filled with deep sorrow because of the tragic losses that our cities – Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Lviv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia – have suffered due to the largest-scale shelling since the beginning of the war."

"Today, Russian enemy forces attacked Ukraine from multiple directions and hit critical energy and civilian infrastructure. As a result of the shelling, dozens of people were killed and dozens more were injured," the Primate noted.

He expressed "sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in these terrible events" and stressed that "this terrible and senseless violence brings great pain and suffering to our Homeland, and especially to those who were left without their relatives and loved ones."

"The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, together with its people, is experiencing the pain and burden of the losses brought by this terrible tragedy. At this time, it is especially important for all of us to remember the mutual support and unity that our people desperately need during today's trials. May solidarity and love for our neighbour be the driving force that will help us overcome this tragedy," said His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

He emphasised that "the episcopate, clergy, monastics and faithful of our Church, in a common desire to put an end to violence and suffering, offer their sincere prayers for the repose of the innocently killed and for the recovery of all those who suffered."

"We pray also for the advent of blessed and long-awaited peace in our state," wrote His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.