The war will stop not when the fire ceases but when people stop hating, – UOC hierarch

Hatred is overcome only by love and forgiveness, even though the path to mutual forgiveness is very hard. Sufferings, pain and losses have left deep scars in the hearts of many people, says the vicar of the Kiev diocese, Bishop Theodosius of Boyarka of the UOC, in an interview with Argumenty i Fakty (A&F).

"The war will stop not when the fire ceases but when people stop hating. It seems that it’s impossible to forgive; it is beyond any human power. However, I also know that what is impossible for man is possible for God. That is why our Church is vigilantly praying to God that He will give us all peace. Peace not only on our long-suffering land but also peace in our hearts," said Vladyka on his return from the conflict zone.

He explained that the Church appeals to all with the words of peace and love. "The All-Ukrainian Cross Procession showed that people who want peace in our country is still the majority. Due to it we could see the power of common prayer. It was the prayer of the Church that united people of different political and ideological views. In the ranks of cross-walkers there were no longer "ukrops" and "vatniks", "westerners" and "separatists". There were real brothers – brothers in spirit and faith."

"In addition, in all churches of our homeland, with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, at every Divine service kneeling prayers for peace in Ukraine are lifted. Also, in times of fasting every Orthodox Christian, with the blessing of the Primate, lays on themselves special works - prostrations, reading the Psalms, the Gospel, the Lord’s Prayer," reminded the hierarch.

He emphasized that the main task of the Church and all Christians is a pose of prayerful intercession before Christ. "We all need to remember that. And lay all our efforts on the altar of unceasing prayer to God. And then you can make sure that God will hear us. We all remember the words of the Gospel: "What man is there of you, who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him," concluded the bishop.