Ukrainian Greek Catholic Head Says Oleshky Situation Recalls 1932–33 Holodomor

Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, spoke in his traditional video address during the 241st week of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine. He described the life of a Ukrainian teenager as marked by air raid alerts, the loss of loved ones and homes, forced relocation, resettlement, separated families, and studying in shelters.

He said the week had again been a time of pain and trial, with intense fighting on the front lines and daily and nightly attacks on peaceful cities and villages. Amid this, he pointed to one event. During another massive attack, the Russians struck a maternity hospital in Kyiv. No one was killed, and a little boy was born at that moment, which he described as a symbol of the birth of hope for Ukraine. “First and foremost, we want to thank the Lord God for the lives saved,” he said.

He also made a pressing appeal to draw the world’s attention to what he called a humanitarian catastrophe in Oleshky, a town in the occupied part of the Kherson region. He said the town “has been deliberately blockaded” and that people “are literally being held hostage and used as human shields in the frontline zone.” He stated that what is happening there “resembles the Holodomor in its nature, which Ukraine endured in 1932–1933,” and he urged the international community to exert pressure on Russia to save human lives, a call to defend the weak and the needy (Psalm 82:3).

The Church also marked a first this year. Following decisions of the Synod of its bishops, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church celebrated Teenagers’ Day for the first time. Sviatoslav said the experience of Ukrainian teenagers is exceptional, noting that some have never known a peaceful world and learn about peace only through the accounts of parents and relatives. “That is why it is so important today to surround Ukrainian adolescents with the pastoral care of the Mother Church,” he said.

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