A “religious” Maidan ” “

“I call upon the mothers, wives, children, neighbours and the friends of all security forces. Pick up the phone and call your husbands, fathers, friends, and tell them that whoever orders to act with violence and is responsible for acts of violence will be responsible before God, before the nation and before history”, said the dean of the Ukrainian Catholic University prof. Borys Gudziak, in a message to the police and to the military in Ukraine. In fact, the clashes and riots in Independence Square (Maidan) in Kiev show no sign of abating. The so-called “EuroMaidan” events continue attracting the attention of all of Europe, after Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich refused to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union. The population is demonstrating, while European public opinion focuses the attention on Kiev. Appeal to wisdom and responsibility. The representatives of the pan-Ukrainian Council of Churches and religious organizations addressed their appeal to the faithful of all confessions to pray for peace and for the cessation of conflict. They call upon public authorities to respect citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms, not to make use of force against peaceful demonstrators and carry out an in-depth survey on all the clashes. “We also appeal to all the Ukrainian population, regardless of their political affiliation, to act with wisdom and responsibility, to refrain from all forms of violence and to not respond to provocations. Remember that we all belong to the same nation, to the same Country. We must not allow political opposition to be used as an excuse to violate the integrity of our Country”, states the message released December 10. The permanent Synod of the Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC) voiced the concern for the actions carried out by the police and by the military in Independence Square the night of December 10-11, confirming support and solidarity towards the protesters and “condemning actions aimed at limiting their civil rights”. “Religious” Independence square. The Churches have conveyed their preoccupation over the situation in Kiev not only at the general level of messages and appeals. Their representatives are to be found among the general population “to spread the light of peace”. The tent-chapel set up in Independence Square on the initiative of UGCC representative, Fr. Igor Onyshkevych, bears concrete evidence to such efforts. It can be identified by the cross on the top, while inside we placed an altar, icons, candles, so that every protester – regardless of his/her religious belief- may have the opportunity to pray. “The first liturgy was officiated by the Redemptorists, followed by the prayers of the Orthodox priests”, Father Leonid Hryhorenko told SIR Europe. “And even though the demonstrators have shown great interest with ongoing visits, the idea of a ‘field church’ will have proven fruitful even if only one person will have attended the services”, he added. Tatiana Mukhomorova, from the Religious Information Service in Ukraine, visited the square to witness the situation in first person. As referred Fr Yuriy, from Ss. Boris and Hlib church, “we help people working in the warehouse located in the premises of Saint Micheal’s Cathedral. We give out clothing, food and timber to all the protestors’ centres”. Every morning the priest celebrates the liturgical service inside the church and then goes to Maidan “to help whoever needs it”. Oleh, a seminarian, shared his reflections on the UGCC website: “In Maidan everyone hopes to be listened to, that the blatant violation of human rights in this country will stop, that finally criminals may be punished with a fair trial”. A snapshot. On the morning of Wednesday, December 11, as referred by the Religious information service in Ukraine, the clergy held a public prayer in Independence Square. In the midst of the crowd a poster stood out bearing the words: “God is love. God – our Saviour”. The priests, especially those of UGCC and of the Orthodox Ukrainian Church (patriarchate of Kiev) continue providing support to the rioters. “I’m exhausted, there’s always so much to do. I return home at three-four in the morning, I take a nap and come back here, where I will continue staying until the end because I can’t sleep. As soon as I close my eyes I see myself handing out food and helping out”, said Yana, a student at Kiev Polytechnics, adding that “everyone will remain until the end, for it is a strong public reaction which is hard to quieten. If this is understood, then further action and changes will follow for each one of us”. European action. “Some say that independence is not yet a possible option for Ukraine: that it is necessary to choose between European Union and Russia. If this is true I will choose the first”, UGCC Fr Lubomir Zhybak, told SIR Europe. He continued: “Ukrainians have taken to the streets because they want to have no ties with Russia, because it has already happened. Our people, just like any other nation, want to live in peace, prosperity and religious freedom. We don’t want to tell others what they should do and we don’t want others to tell us what to do. We hope that God may illuminate the hearts of my people and help us decide what’s the best thing for our Country, and may it truly be the best option”.