Lvov (Lviv), February 20, 2014
"All-venerable fathers, dear brothers and sisters!
Like other hierarchs of our church, many times I have had to tearfully beseech everyone to make peace with each other and to prevent bloodshed.
The escalation of violence and provocations are ongoing in the Ukraine, which have resulted in dozens of human victims. All of the Church’s calls for a dialogue and reconciliation remain unheard!
The Church of Christ, being the only witness of the moral law of God, as before, is witnessing bloodshed that, whatever the cost, bloodshed is inadmissible. So, today, when the voice of the Church remains unheard, like other Church hierarchs, I am praying and calling upon each priest and each believer to pray.
I bless throughout the diocese to pray continuously for the repose of those who have died, as well as for reconciliation and preservation of our state; pray for the increase of love. I am calling upon everyone to offer up prayers for the people who were injured during the conflicts in Kiev and are currently in hospitals. In these days, when the Ukrainian state is mourning over the victims, we will offer up our prayers at the funeral services.
May the Lord Himself guide our lives, and may He grant Eternal bliss in the Heavenly Kingdom to all those killed.
+ Philaret
Bishop of Lvov and Galicia"
