A Requiem Was Held for Yevhen Konovalets at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the UGCC

At the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGKC) in Kyiv, a panakhyda ( requiem service) was held for the first head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Yevhen Konovalets.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the head of the UGKC, presided over the Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral, where the reburial of Konovalets is taking place. After the Liturgy, the Head of the UGKC led the panakhyda in front of the coffin of a colonel of the Ukrainian People's Republic army, the UGKC Information Department reports.

Patriarch Sviatoslav separately emphasized Konovalets’ special significance for the capital: as commander of the Sich Riflemen within the armed formations of the Ukrainian People's Republic, he defended Kyiv from “communist Soviet butchers.”

The primate is convinced that Konovalets’ figure is especially eloquent today, when Ukraine again fights for its freedom and statehood.

“He was the one who knew how not to be disappointed even when historical circumstances, in particular in 20-years, and in 30-years, seemed to put a period on Ukrainians’ struggle for their independent, free, sovereign Ukrainian state. And today, when we pray for his eternal rest, asking God for forgiveness of his sins and transgressions, for boundless God’s mercy, we are called with you to listen once more to the voice of history as a teacher of life,” added the Head of the UGKC.

Separately, His Beatitude drew attention to what the heroes of the liberation struggle can teach Ukrainians about patriotism. “Today the heroes of Ukraine’s struggle for independence tell us that true patriotism does not let us falter even when we face setbacks,” he said.

According to the Primate, true patriotism, which helps not to falter even in the face of defeats, is love for the Fatherland. “This patriotism is not so much hatred of enemies as the ability to love one’s land, one’s country, and to do everything so that the dignity and freedom of our people are guaranteed by the Ukrainian sovereign state,” the Head of the UGKC emphasized.

Summing up the life example of Colonel Yevhen Konovalets, His Beatitude noted: “He who loves truly never loses faith.”

In conclusion, the Head of the UGKC urged prayers for God’s mercy for Ukraine and for every Christian to imitate God’s love.

Also in attendance were the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Kyrylo Budanov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Andriy Yusov, the head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory Oleksandr Alfiorov, the president of the Ukrainian Rifle Association of Canada Andriy Sukhanivskyi, volunteers and public figures.

There were many people in military uniforms as well — both young and older — as well as ordinary, concerned citizens.

The coffin itself, placed beside Konovalets’ photograph in the church, was draped with a yellow-blue flag; military symbols lay on it. Nearby stood several wreaths — with red and yellow-blue flowers, as well as yellow-blue ribbons. People laid orange, white, and yellow flowers here as well, resembling sunflowers.

Photo from open sources

“Argument”

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