To forgive is to say “Goodbye!” to hatred and evil. It means shedding the shackles with which the abuser seeks to enslave our hearts. Forgiveness gives God the opportunity to fill us with His blessings and forgive our sins. It cleanses our hearts of all evil. Forgiving does not mean condoning evil, but condemning it. Forgiveness is a declaration: “I do not want to be like you, a criminal who seeks to destroy everything.” Forgiveness is a victory!
These were the words of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, during the Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Forgiveness Sunday, March 2, 2025. On this day, the bishops of the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Church celebrated the Divine Liturgies in the parishes of the Toronto Eparchy, while Patriarch Sviatoslav made a pastoral visit to the Archeparchy of Winnipeg. He visited Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak and Bishop Emeritus Peter Stasiuk.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude Sviatoslav were Most Rev. Brian Bayda, C.Ss.R., bishop of the Toronto Eparchy, Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy, auxiliary bishop of the Winnipeg Archeparchy, Rev. Ihor Shved, pastor of the Cathedral parish, Rev. John Sianchuk, C.Ss.R., pastor of St. Joseph the Betrothed parish in Winnipeg, and Rev. Oleh Oleksa, personal secretary to the Patriarch.
In his homily, His Beatitude emphasized that despite the war, pain, and losses, Ukraine stands, fights, and prays: “For three years now, the Ukrainian people have remained unbreakable, wounded, but steadfast, and this is a manifestation of God’s great power.”
“I have come to you not to complain, but to testify to the power of hope from Ukraine and for Ukraine. This power of ours does not come from human effort or ability, but from the great power of God, which, as the Apostle Paul says, is often manifested even in our weakness. God’s power is the foundation, content, and support of Ukraine’s hope,” Patriarch Sviatoslav emphasized.
He noted that the Gospel reading of Forgiveness Sunday reminds us of the purpose of Great Lent. “Fasting is not an end in itself, but only a means. The true goal is our treasure in heaven.”
The Patriarch pointed out that in recent days we have witnessed “great bargaining at the highest level — not only over the land of Ukraine but also over human lives: both those who fight and those who remain in the occupied territories suffer.”
“Today, Ukraine is paying the highest price for its land, the highest value of its freedom and independence. He who knows how to truly love God and neighbor acquires a treasure in heaven. That is why we say: ‘Heroes do not die.’ They may lose their lives, their relatives, their homes, their property here on earth, but they gain something that neither rust nor moth can destroy, nor can a thief steal,” His Beatitude stated.
“To learn how to love God and neighbor and to realize what is most important in life, is the true purpose of fasting. If we are able to give up something, to restrain ourselves in pleasures and entertainment, but at the same time direct all our efforts to deeds of mercy and solidarity, then every day we gather treasure in heaven. This is the meaning of our fasting,” assured the Patriarch.
He noted that the most difficult thing for Ukrainians today, who are being killed every day, to understand is the word and meaning of forgiveness. Especially since forgiveness is the starting point of the Lenten journey. How can we compare this word of God with our daily reality? The truth, according to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, is that we often do not understand the true meaning and significance of forgiveness, which frees a person. Therefore, setting out on a forty-day fast, the Patriarch called on all to learn from Christ’s victory, and also to ask ourselves how we should live on and what we need to gain as the fruits of this Lenten journey.
“I invite you to gain, develop, and preserve three important things. In times of great confusion, I invite all of you to keep your mind cold, your heart hot, and your will strong. Let us not succumb to propaganda and disinformation!” urged the Head of the UGCC.
“Let us fill our minds with the power of God’s word! Read the Holy Scriptures, meditate on what the Lord tells us. Despite all human agreements, successful or unsuccessful, the Lord has a plan of salvation for Ukraine,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav attested.
The Patriarch called to have a sensitive heart: “Let human pain never cease to move you… Our heart must be warm in order to rush to help everyone who needs it. Without works of mercy, there is neither true fasting nor true prayer.”
“Our will must be steel, because it is the key to our victory, our strength. This strength comes from the grace of the Holy Spirit,” added His Beatitude.
