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Bartholomew on the Holodomor: we remember Stalin’s acts of barbarism towards spiritual children of the Church of Constantinople

27.11.2017, 09:56
Bartholomew on the Holodomor: we remember Stalin’s acts of barbarism towards spiritual children of the Church of Constantinople - фото 1
On November 25, in memory of the Holodomor in Ukraine, in his Sunday sermon and a special message Patriarch Bartholomew commented on the atrocities towards the Ukrainian people which involved the organized famine during the first half of the twentieth century.

Варфоломій.jpgOn November 25, in memory of the Holodomor in Ukraine, in his Sunday sermon and a special message Patriarch Bartholomew commented on the atrocities towards the Ukrainian people which involved the organized famine during the first half of the twentieth century.

“We remember the demonically inspired acts of barbarism, which Stalin had committed against the spiritual ch8ildren of the Mother Church of Constantinople. We mourn the deceased. We are mourning together with the ones who are alive. We are grieving for all mothers, parents and children, and we wholeheartedly pray to the Risen Lord for their eternal peace. Let our Lord dwell in their souls among the righteous who sit around the table of his eternal dinner, of which we pray that we be worthy of getting it. We respect their memory and their struggle,” Patriarch Bartholomew said in a sermon.

The Patriarch of Constantinople stressed that there is no justification for the senseless and brutal murder of millions of people.

“As Orthodox Christians, we mark in a duly manner the 84th anniversary of this atrocity. Unfortunately, we cannot change the events of the past. But we can study and analyze them deeply, do our best to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities in our modern world in future. Our memory of this tragedy unites us in our struggle against fundamentalism, hatred, oppression and violence. It also raises sensitivity to modern forms of oppression, injustice and extremism.

Let us learn from the past, and let the pain and living memory of death produce in every one of us a willingness to eliminate controversial and hateful ideologies, whether politically or religiously motivated. We must always act as a catalyst for positive transformations and unity in our problem-beset world,” said the Patriarch's speech.

On this occasion, the Patriarch expressed “the condolences of the Mother Church of Constantinople to the revered authorities of Ukraine, as well as the heartfelt prayers for the eternal rest of the souls of all victims of the Holodomor.”