His blood is on us and our children?
Zelensky praised the Rada for the newly passed law on "spiritual independence" and promised to discuss it with "representatives of Patriarch Bartholomew". He believes that banning the Church will "strengthen Ukraine".
It is very strange to think that a country can be strengthened by mocking the faith of a quarter of its population. But what is even stranger in the current situation is the abundance of historical and biblical symbols that are visible to the naked eye.
August 24 will mark the anniversary of the "St. Bartholomew's Night", when Catholics in France killed over 30,000 Huguenots. In the context of the current persecution of the UOC (Ukrainian Orthodox Church), which was effectively 'blessed' by Patriarch Bartholomew, such a scenario no longer seems completely unbelievable.
On August 24, Ukraine will celebrate 33 years of its independence – an age at which Christ was crucified. On this anniversary, the authorities have declared the death of the Church.
All these years, the UOC has spiritually nourished and cared for Ukrainians. Since the beginning of the war, it has not only provided spiritual support but also immense financial aid to the Armed Forces, refugees, displaced persons, and simply those in need. As a result of the war, many UOC churches have been destroyed, and soldiers and even children of priests serve and perish in the army.
So why do the authorities want to kill the Church? For the same reason they killed Christ.
In the antiphons of Great Friday, there are these words from the Savior’s perspective:
“My people, what have I done to you, or how have I offended you? I opened the eyes of the blind, cleansed the lepers, and raised a man from the bed. My people, what have I done to you, and what have you repaid Me: for manna – gall, for water – vinegar, instead of love for Me, you have fastened Me to the cross.”
Doesn't the Church have similar questions to address to the current authorities?
The Jews, delivering Christ to death, cried: “His blood be on us and on our children.”
Will it be the same for us?
