Metropolitan Borys Gudziak in Kyiv: On War, Community, and Hope as Responsibility
During his visit to Kyiv, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak held a series of meetings with representatives of business and civic communities. The conversations focused on war and resilience, leadership, human dignity, community, and the challenge of sustaining hope in dark times.
Public Interview within the New Country Project
On January 29, Metropolitan Borys participated in a public interview with journalist Sonya Koshkina as part of the joint project of LB.ua and EFI Group, New Country. The discussion addressed the moral dimensions of war, social responsibility, and Ukraine’s role in the contemporary world.
Selected quotes from the conversation:
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“Here, good and evil become sharply visible. I thank you for this. Despite the condition of infrastructure in Kyiv, in Troieshchyna, and in other parts of the city, you are here and now speaking about a new country—and that is the right thing to do.”
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“This is already a new country—a country that knows there is truth and there is falsehood in the world.”
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“Ukraine is forcing everyone—at least those who think—to reflect. This comes at a very high price, but I want to begin by thanking you all for making the world think.”
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“I am convinced that truth will prevail.”
The full interview is available on LB.ua.
Meeting with the Aspen Institute Kyiv Community
On the same day, Metropolitan Borys met with the community of Aspen Institute Kyiv. The conversation was moderated by Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. The discussion focused on leadership, dignity, and responsibility during wartime, as well as on community as a space that helps sustain inner balance.
Selected quotes from the discussion:
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“Today the world knows about Ukraine, but what matters most is that Ukrainians themselves know who they are. I see change, dynamism, and creativity. There is life here—perhaps precisely because people are looking death in the face.”
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“In the West, people have begun to fear death because they no longer believe in eternity, while Ukrainians—consciously or unconsciously—live within that horizon.”
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“You demonstrate life-giving vitality. Every time I return to America, I do so inspired. History is being made here, and for that I sincerely thank you.”
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“ ‘It is not good for man to be alone.’ In communion, a person flourishes. The worst punishment is isolation. One must live in community, nurture it, preserve its contours, while keeping doors and windows open.”
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“Every person is a mystery and possesses God-given dignity. If we do not see this in ourselves, we will not be able to honor it in others.”
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“War is an act of seizure and stands against God’s will, who desires that we live by His gift. The posture of self-giving is divine, while seizure is the consequence of sin.”
Conversation with Business Leaders at CEO Club Ukraine
On January 30, Metropolitan Borys took part in a meeting at CEO Club Ukraine titled “Hope, Fatigue, and Love: How to Be a Leader in 2026?” The discussion was moderated by Yurii Ostapiuk, Chairman of the Board of CEO Club Ukraine.
Selected quotes from the conversation:
- “Here in Ukraine, there is a dense quality of life in the moral human dimension, and this has a strengthening effect.”
- “This is a transformation born of love, attention, and acts of sacrifice for the good of one’s neighbor.”
- “We are created in the image and likeness of God; we are persons, and the essential quality of personhood is being in relationship with others.”
- “There is no authentic spiritual life in isolation—everything true happens between us, together, in relationship.”
- “We must become a country that is a community of communities—different environments that respect one another. The unspeakable challenge of war compels us toward this.”
- “What matters most does not happen in discourse, but in modeling and in witness.”
