During His Visit to Washington, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Led a Prayer for Peace in Ukraine

In his brief address, Patriarch Sviatoslav focused on hope, which has been the central theme of his visit to the U.S., taking place from February 15 to 21. “We have hope because we believe in God. We believe that He is our Father,” he emphasized. He also called on those gathered to pray for the health of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who is currently in the hospital with bilateral pneumonia. Together, the faithful recited the “Our Father” for the Pope’s recovery.

Metropolitan Borys urged everyone to trust in God:
“Do not worry about politicians. Do not be anxious about meetings happening somewhere far away. Believe that the Lord is present where there is pain. He wipes away the tears of those who weep. He supports those who are persecuted. God’s truth will prevail. We Ukrainians have witnessed too many miracles not to believe.”

Following the prayer, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Oksana Markarova, addressed the attendees.
“Today has been a difficult day,” she remarked. “And this prayer was exactly what was needed.” She noted that the military often emphasize the importance of constant training, explaining that in a moment of crisis, every soldier “falls” to the level of their preparation. “We, as Christians, in difficult moments ‘fall’ to the level of our faith. Today’s communal prayer has given us strength and hope. No matter how hard it gets, there is no other way forward but to hold the line and convince all our friends to do the same—so that Russian evil is not only defeated but also held accountable for all its crimes,” she stressed.

As is tradition, the prayer concluded with the singing of the spiritual hymn “Bozhe, Velykyi Yedynyi” (Almighty and Only God).