Source: https://ugcc.ua/data/glava-ugkts-zaklykae-virnyh-do-uchasti-u-dni-molytvy-i-postu-za-myr-u-sviti-7-zhovtnya-5627/

Unofficial English translation. 

The Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, has called on the faithful to spend Monday, October 7, in fasting, penance and prayer for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East and the world. This initiative was recently announced by Pope Francis. His Beatitude Sviatoslav made his call in an interview with Vatican News, where he shared his feelings about the ongoing war in Ukraine and global conflicts.

“I appeal to all the sons and daughters of our Church in Ukraine and abroad to join the Day of Prayer and Fasting, which the Holy Father calls for, to ask for an end to these armed conflicts, an end to the war in Ukraine, to ask for peace for our country, for our people and for the whole world,” the Head of the UGCC said.

The Primate noted that through the personality of the Pope and his initiative, “we really felt the spontaneous breath of the Holy Spirit.” “The Holy Father always looks at the world in its entirety, he not only sees local conflicts, but, like a father, he cares about everyone. As he says: “About everyone, everyone, everyone.” We in Ukraine feel that we are also in the heart of the father. Praying for peace in the world, the Holy Father also prays for the martyred Ukraine,” the Head of the UGCC is convinced.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized that the Holy Father is not only an observer of the tragedy of war, but a true champion of peace, and therefore he is the first to give himself to prayer. On Sunday, October 6, the Head of the UGCC will accompany the Holy Father to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: “Together with him, we will pray a rosary to the Blessed Virgin Mary before the ancient icon of Salus Populi Romani to ask for peace in the whole world, as well as peace in Ukraine.”

Recalling that in Ukraine there is a continuous prayer organized by people who pray 24 hours a day, seven days a week, His Beatitude Sviatoslav added: “Certainly, to have the Holy Father as the first in prayer among us … really comforts us. We see that the Holy Father is with us, praying together with the suffering people.”

The head of the UGCC emphasized that the continuous prayer for peace in Ukraine has been going on for three years and expressed gratitude for the support of the Ecumenical Church: “This inspires us to believe that peace is possible and that God’s help will not be delayed.”

Prayer and fasting, according to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, are the path to peace and hope for all mankind. “Let’s ask for peace for our country and the whole world together,” he called, hoping for the broad participation of all the faithful in this important cause.

During the Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on the occasion of the opening of the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Pontifical Synod, Pope Francis proclaimed October 7 as the Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Peace. The Pope’s prayer initiative is addressed to all Christians with a request to dedicate this day to prayer and fasting for the end of wars in the world.