The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) extends sincere greetings to the entire Ukrainian nation on the occasion of the momentous Defender of Ukraine Day and the great Christian holiday, the Feast of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God.
The Holy Mother of God’s protection of the defenders of Ukrainian lands dates back to the times of the great Prince Yaroslav the Wise who dedicated all of his people under the Protection of the Holy Mother of God. Тhe Ukrainian Cossacks and soldiers of the Army of the Ukrainian National Republic and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army also earnestly believed that the Holy Mother of God protects and watches over them.
The commemoration of the Defender of Ukraine Day on 14 October, the Feast Day of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God, is abundant with meaning, particularly as the Ukrainian people today continue to bravely defend the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“The over 20-million-strong Ukrainian diaspora under the leadership of the Ukrainian World Congress pays great tribute to all defenders of Ukraine, and particularly to Ukraine’s sons and daughters who now courageously defend the Eastern borders of their country from Russian aggression, and offers a sincere prayer to the Holy Mother of God requesting that She keep Ukraine and the entire Ukrainian nation under Her Motherly Protection,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
