Kyiv – March 24, 2022
During the homily given at the daily Moleben (Paraklesis or Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos) for Peace offered at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection in Kyiv on March 24, Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), Father and Head of the world-wide Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church (UGCC) reflected on the forthcoming consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, reported the Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU).
In his remarks, His Beatitude noted the readiness of the entire UGCC to join in this solemn act of consecration and noted that to speak of the conversion of Russia was at one time considered politically incorrect:
In accordance with the petitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which she proclaimed in the early twentieth century in Fatima, Pope Francis, together with the bishops of the Catholic Church around the world, will consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Theotokos petitioned for prayers for the conversion of Russia, because otherwise the evil that will come out of it will destroy other countries. Formerly, it was said that we should not talk about the Fatima apparition, so as not to offend Russia, but now the Holy Father wishes to pay attention to this request of the Theotokos for this consecration to defeat the evil that comes to our lands from that part of the world and Europe.
Continuing, His Beatitude noted that Kyivan-Rus’ and especially the city of Kyiv was initially consecrated to the Theotokos after Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise completed the famous golden domed St. Sophia Cathedral in the 11th century, with its central mosaic of the Theotokos Orante or Theotokos, Indestructible Wall.
The Patriarch concluded his homily with a prayer for the defeat of the “apocalyptic beast” unleashed on Ukraine by the Russian aggressors:
May this evil be defeated in the north, south, west and east of Ukraine. We know that the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a symbol of Her holy and pure will, which she showed when she said ‘yes’ to the Archangel Gabriel. (Luke 1:38) At that moment, the Blessed Virgin Mary erased the head of the devil, an apocalyptic beast that is raging again, attacking Ukraine from Russia. May this consecration be the moment when the head of this serpent, by the power of prayer of the Theotokos herself, the Immovable Wall of Kyiv, will be raised again in Ukraine! We believe in this and we pray for it. We say: ‘Most Holy Theotokos, save us!’ Amen.
