[CS-FSLUG] ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CRISIS IN UKRAINE

[Fred A. Miller]

A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY

 The Orthodox Christian News Service
 
Published by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, November 24, 2004


ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CRISIS IN UKRAINE

by the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Beyond the Borders 
of Ukraine


On the 13th Anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine a few months ago we 
wrote:

"On this auspicious and joyful occasion we remind ourselves, those who now 
govern and those who will govern in the future that Ukraine was not founded 
as a secular state, but, by the will of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 
sanctified by the apostolic presence - that of St. Andrew, the First-Called - 
and nurtured by the deeds of countless holy men whose lives reflected the 
seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

"On this particular anniversary, many in Ukraine find themselves enmeshed in 
the web of emotion of pre-election machinations.  We are reminded of the 
lofty concepts of righteousness, justice and dedicated service to humanity 
proclaimed in Holy Scripture, obligations which are incumbent upon all its 
citizenry and not just a select few.  Centuries ago the Divine Teacher from 
Nazareth reminded us of our responsibility to render to the One, Eternal God 
that which pertains to Him and to secular government that which pertains to 
it."

It continues to be our prayer that this wise counsel given by our Lord will 
guide all the citizens of Ukraine entrusted with the spiritual and secular 
stewardship of the nation will be heeded during these very difficult days 
following an obviously unjust electoral process. The lack of validity in the 
recent presidential elections is confirmed at all levels of Ukrainian 
government and society - from the humble single participant in the vote to 
some of the most important lofty members of the current Presidential 
administration.  Most governments of the world have, indeed, notified Ukraine 
of the significant consequences of not investigating the fraud evident in the 
electoral process.

An unprecedented reaction of the population of Ukraine is being witnessed by 
the entire world, which places an enormous moral responsibility upon the key 
figures involved in the elections - Mr. Kuchma, Mr. Yuschenko and Mr. 
Yanukovich.  It is good news to learn of recent statements of willingness to 
meet and compromise made by each of them and we must pray that they act 
promptly in this regard.  It is also a good thing to witness the followers of 
both the presidential candidates mingling in the streets of Kyiv - in some 
photos actually holding hands and opposing flags - discussing the results of 
the elections and what Ukraine's future might be.

We cannot simplify the issues involved in this crisis by portraying Yuschenko 
as a friend of the West and Yanukovich as a friend of Moscow.  Both have, by 
their public statements during the campaign, proven themselves to be more 
broad-minded than this.  Neither can we simply say after 13 years of 
independence that this is the battle between "good" and "evil". That battle 
has already been won.  We must trust that God's Guidance will prevail and 
that the voice of the people of Ukraine will ultimately be heard and 
responded to by all those who hold power and authority at every level of 
government.

As we offer Thanksgiving to God Almighty for His bountiful blessings upon the 
nations we serve, we call upon all the faithful of our Holy Ukrainian 
Orthodox Church, throughout the world, to pray fervently for a just and 
peaceful resolution to the most significant crisis Ukraine has experienced 
since her declaration of independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union 
and to pray for the people of Ukraine - that they may remain peaceful and 
positive in their outlook and avoid all violence of any kind.  We, who 
protested for 75 years about the great loss of life in Ukraine for political 
purposes or "principles", cannot justify physical harm or death inflicted 
upon anyone in this major crisis.

May God continue to grant us the Grace to continue trusting in Him and His 
Mercy as we did throughout the decades of oppression and repression, knowing 
that the ultimate victory of His Goodness will once again prevail. 

"ALMIGHTY GOD, ALL RIGHTEOUS AND ALL MERCIFUL, OUR FATHER AND CREATOR AND OUR 
ONE HOPE.  LOOK UPON YOUR PEOPLE WHO RECOGNIZED YOU AS THE TRUE GOD AND WHO 
FOR OVER ONE THOUSAND YEARS HAVE FOLLOWED THE COMMANDMENTS, WHICH PRINCE AND 
ST. VOLODYMYR ACCEPTED AND GAVE TO HIS UKRAINIAN PEOPLE.  YOUR MERCY HAS BEEN 
VICTORIOUS OVER ALL THE HISTORICAL THREATS TO OUR NATION'S VERY EXISTENCE.  
COGNIZANT OF OUR SINS AND TRANSGRESSIONS BEFORE YOU - BOTH OUR OWN AND THOSE 
OF OUR ANCESTORS - WE BESEECH YOU, LOOK DOWN UPON THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE 
DURING THIS TIME OF CRISIS.  MAINTAIN THE PEACE AND UNITY OF THE NATION IN 
THE FACE OF INJUSTICE AND DISHONESTY.  ENABLE OUR LEADERS TO BEGIN A NEW ERA 
OF OPENNESS AND COOPERATION IN THE BUILDING OF A SOCIETY BASED ON THE RULE OF 
LAW AND UPON YOUR COMMANDMENTS.  ENABLE OUR PEOPLE TO COMPREHEND THE SANCTITY 
OF LIFE AND ACT SOLELY OUT OF LOVE FOR YOU AND FOR ONE ANOTHER.  WITH A 
SINGLE VOICE, WITH ONE HEART AND ONE MIND WE ASK THIS OF YOU AND IN THE 
SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING WE GLORIFY YOU - FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND 
EVER AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.  AMEN"


 In the Love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

 + Wasyly, Metropolitan - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
 + Constantine, Metropolitan - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and 
Diaspora
 + John, Archbishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
 + Antony, Archbishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
 + Vsevolod, Archbishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
 + Ioan, Archbishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora
 + Yurij, Archbishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
 + Jeremiah, Bishop - Ukrainian Orthodox Church, South American Eparchy

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