President Yanukovych Congratulates Ukrainians on Baptism of Kyivan Rus

On July 28, 2010, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych congratulated his compatriots on the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus.  The presidential address posted by the presidential press service stresses that "this holiday, which has been a gift to us from God, the Mother Church, and history, is celebrated by all Christians of the Eastern rite in our state and outside its borders."

The address of President Yanukovych reads that "Christianity was always that life-giving strength that helped Ukrainians stand firm in difficult times, and the church defended the ideals of faith, and enriched it with the holiness of spirit and piety."

The president added that "Today we continue to confess the eternal values of our glorious ancestors and are protecting the sources of the Orthodox faith: the St. Sophia Cathedral and the Kyiv Cave Monastery. The spirit of the Holy Kyivan Rus with its Orthodox tradition and spirituality has been preserved here forever."

"The well-being and prosperity of our state depend not only on economic development today. Deep faith brings high morality and spirituality, and guarantees harmony in our society. Let the Lord protect all of us and Ukraine!" reads the presidential address.