Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses Ukrainian people with Orthodox Easter message, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, at the Saint Sophia cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine April 23, 2022. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy issued a call to unity among Ukrainians on Orthodox Easter, urging them to join together in prayer for one another and for the soldiers on the frontline. Clad in traditional attire, a vyshyvanka (embroidered Ukrainian shirt) paired with khaki pants, Zelenskiy conveyed his message in a poetic video shared on the Telegram messaging app.
Positioned before the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, a revered symbol of Ukraine’s spiritual and architectural heritage, Zelenskiy emphasized the nation’s prolonged struggle against Russia, now spanning 802 days. He invoked the belief that God, portrayed metaphorically as bearing a chevron adorned with the Ukrainian flag, signifies assurance of life triumphing over death.
Orthodox Christians, including adherents of the Orthodox Church in both Ukraine and Russia, observed Easter festivities during this weekend, in contrast to the majority of Western churches, which commemorated the holiday on March 31. Meanwhile, in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin participated in an Easter service led by Patriarch Kirill, a fervent supporter of Putin’s policies, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Since the initiation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the protracted conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with no discernible conclusion in sight.
Zelenskiy, who follows the Jewish faith, prioritized prayers for the soldiers enduring Easter amidst the trenches, beseeching for their safe return home. He also extended prayers for the resilience of the Ukrainian people and land, emphasizing their unyielding spirit and the eventual realization of Ukraine’s freedom.
Concluding his address, Zelenskiy underscored the nation’s steadfast resolve, asserting that Ukrainians kneel solely in prayer and not before invaders or occupiers.
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