PRESIDENTIAL

Published by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, November 24, 2004

ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CRISIS IN UKRAINE

by the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Beyond the Borders of Ukraine

On the 13^th Anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine a few months ago we wrote:

“On this auspicious and joyful occasion we remind ourselves, those who now govern and those who will govern in the future that Ukraine was not founded as a secular state, but, by the will of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, sanctified by the apostolic presence – that of St. Andrew, the First-Called – and nurtured by the deeds of countless holy men whose lives reflected the seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

“On this particular anniversary, many in Ukraine find themselves enmeshed in the web of emotion of pre-election machinations. We are reminded of the lofty concepts of righteousness, justice and dedicated service to humanity proclaimed in Holy Scripture, obligations which are incumbent upon all its citizenry and not just a select few. Centuries ago the Divine Teacher from Nazareth reminded us of our responsibility to render to the One, Eternal God that which pertains to Him and to secular government that which pertains to it.”

It continues to be our prayer that this wise counsel given by our Lord will guide all the citizens of Ukraine entrusted with the spiritual and secular stewardship of the nation will be heeded during these very difficult days following an obviously unjust electoral process. The lack of validity in the recent presidential elections is confirmed at all levels of Ukrainian government and society – from the humble single participant in the vote to some of the most important lofty members of the current Presidential administration. Most governments of the world have, indeed, notified Ukraine of the significant consequences of not investigating the fraud evident in the electoral process.

An unprecedented reaction of the population of Ukraine is being witnessed by the entire world, which places an enormous moral responsibility upon the key figures involved in the elections – Mr. Kuchma, Mr. Yuschenko and Mr. Yanukovich. It is good news to learn of recent statements of willingness to meet and compromise made by each of them and we must pray that they act promptly in this regard. It is also a good thing to witness the followers of both the presidential candidates mingling in the streets of Kyiv – in some photos actually holding hands and opposing flags – discussing the results of the elections and what Ukraine’s future might be.

We cannot simplify the issues involved in this crisis by portraying Yuschenko as a friend of the West and Yanukovich as a friend of Moscow. Both have, by their public statements during the campaign, proven themselves to be more broad-minded than this. Neither can we simply say after 13 years of independence that this is the battle between “good” and “evil”. That battle has already been won. We must trust that God’s Guidance will prevail and that the voice of the people of Ukraine will ultimately be heard and responded to by all those who hold power and authority at every level of government.

As we offer Thanksgiving to God Almighty for His bountiful blessings upon our the nations we serve, we call upon all the faithful of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church, throughout the world, to pray fervently for a just and peaceful resolution to the most significant crisis Ukraine has experienced since her declaration of independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union and to pray for the people of Ukraine – that they may remain peaceful and positive in their outlook and avoid all violence of any kind. We, who protested for 75 years about the great loss of life in Ukraine for political purposes or “principles”, cannot justify physical harm or death inflicted upon anyone in this major crisis.

May God continue to grant us the Grace to continue trusting in Him and His Mercy as we did throughout the decades of oppression and repression, knowing that the ultimate victory of His Goodness will once again prevail.

“ALMIGHTY GOD, ALL RIGHTEOUS AND ALL MERCIFUL, OUR FATHER AND CREATOR AND OUR ONE HOPE. LOOK UPON YOUR PEOPLE WHO RECOGNIZED YOU AS THE TRUE GOD AND WHO FOR OVER ONE THOUSAND YEARS HAVE FOLLOWED THE COMMANDMENTS, WHICH PRINCE AND ST. VOLODYMYR ACCEPTED AND GAVE TO HIS UKRAINIAN PEOPLE. YOUR MERCY HAS BEEN VICTORIOUS OVER ALL THE HISTORICAL THREATS TO OUR NATION’S VERY EXISTENCE. COGNIZANT OF OUR SINS AND TRANSGRESSIONS BEFORE YOU – BOTH OUR OWN AND THOSE OF OUR ANCESTORS – WE BESEECH YOU, LOOK DOWN UPON THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE DURING THIS TIME OF CRISIS. MAINTAIN THE PEACE AND UNITY OF THE NATION IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE AND DISHONESTY. ENABLE OUR LEADERS TO BEGIN A NEW ERA OF OPENNESS AND COOPERATION IN THE BUILDING OF A SOCIETY BASED ON THE RULE OF LAW AND UPON YOUR COMMANDMENTS. ENABLE OUR PEOPLE TO COMPREHEND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AND ACT SOLELY OUT OF LOVE FOR YOU AND FOR ONE ANOTHER. WITH A SINGLE VOICE, WITH ONE HEART AND ONE MIND WE ASK THIS OF YOU AND IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING WE GLORIFY YOU – FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN”

+ Constantine, Metropolitan – Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora



Volume 6 Number 48 - Tuesday, November 30th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY