Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this Sunday congratulated the faithful on the occasion of Orthodox Easter, which celebrates Ukraine “with unwavering faith” in its victory over Russia.
For the first time, Zelensky spoke without wearing a military uniform and wearing a traditional embroidered shirt.
“Today we celebrate the feast of the Lord’s Resurrection. Its main symbol is victory: the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life. We celebrate Easter with an unwavering faith in the irreversibility of this victories,” he declared in a video distributed by the Presidency of the Republic of Ukraine.
Zelensky, as at the end of last winter, recalled that the Russian invasion brought “death, pain and darkness” but failed to dampen the Ukrainians’ desire for freedom and their will to defend their country.
“We kept the inner light. We overcame panic, fear, quarrels and quarrels. We united. Millions of sparks in millions of Ukrainian hearts turned into a big bonfire,” he said.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine has come a long way since then, though perhaps the most difficult moments of its odyssey are yet to come, despite “the sun will rise again over our whole country”.
“On this day, a year ago, we all prayed for Ukraine to resist. Now, for Ukraine to prevail. We are not just asking, we won and created that victory,” Zelensky said.
Easter represents “the light of rebirth,” which he equated with rebuilding the country, as well as “the light of truth,” implying the rule of law and justice that will punish those responsible for the invasion, he said.
The Ukrainian president also remembered those who “gave their lives for the fatherland” and asked God to protect “all those who continue to defend the fatherland”.
“Christ is risen. He is risen indeed,” concludes his message.
Source: DN
