Dear brothers and sisters!

The holy and light feast is coming - the Intercession of the Theotokos. Since the times of the Christianization of Kievan Rus to our days this feast spiritually united people, powered it with hope when Holy Mother protected humanity, gave peace and good to our land.

The history saved a lot of fact of Holy Mother’s protection of our people, Cossack’s army; She gave strength to our warriors in fight with enemies. That is why in Ukraine this feast got the second name – Cossack’s Pokrov. And in this day people also celebrate the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks.

And today during this difficult time for Ukraine our thoughts and prayers directed to Holy Virgin: “Oh Holy Mother, pray Your Son Our Lord for us. Protect our sons, husbands and parents from dark power, which fell on our country. Let Your Holy Heaven Cover protect Ukrainian people, which defends spirituality and integrity of Mother Ukraine like it was thousand years ago.”

With the sincere faith in protection of Holy Mother and hope in peace in Ukraine I congratulate with the feast our faithful, who has patriotic spirit of our grandparents Zaporozhian Cossacks, adamantine aspiration for freedom and victory, which overcomes all barriers due to God’s help.

I wish faith, love and wisdom to every heart!

Amen.