Ukrainian youth presented Venice’s Patriarch with a star featuring St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery

As reported by Duven Svit, the Patriarch assured the youth that they pray for Ukraine and support it through concrete actions.

'A just peace means that people's rights are ensured. You came here for a few days and should understand that peace is possible. Because we are in close contact with Ukraine, we support prayerfully and with our donations. We are in constant communication with bishops to assist the church's actions facing the most difficult situations currently. It's important to pray for you, but it's also important to help you with concrete actions,' stated the hierarch.

He also noted that despite the sorrowful faces he sees before him, we must constantly pray even more fervently. Because those who make war benefit from it. Only constant prayer is capable of overcoming this fire of war.

As a gift, the group presented the Patriarch with a Christmas tree decoration - a star depicting St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, which served as a shelter for the affected during the times of the EuroMaidan and the bombings in Ukraine.

'Russia bombs and destroys human lives, homes, schools, hospitals, churches... We want to present you with this star featuring an image of one of the Kyiv churches. The star during the Christmas season is a sign of hope. During the war, churches and our temples became shelters and homes, sanctuaries and shelters for many people in Ukraine. For us, hope lies in those who extend helping hands so that we don't feel alone, so that we don't feel abandoned,' said Father Roman Demush, the spiritual leader of the group on this journey, while presenting the gift to the Patriarch of Venice.