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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

Ukraine’s Martyred Patriarch

13 November, 2012 - 00:00

This is the grave of independent Ukraine's second Orthodox Patriarch Volodymyr Romaniuk. While in temple he always spoke the truth, urging his parishioners to respect their national traditions and live in understanding and accord with His Teaching. This man never gave up his persuasions, even when promised the most precious thing an individual could ask for under the totalitarian system — freedom. And thus his path to the patriarchate went through a number of Soviet prison camps.

He was internationally acclaimed as a clergyman and prisoner of conscience. During Soviet times adherents, clergy, and other public forces across the world made every effort to set him free. The Soviet leadership was asked to free him by the US President. A collection of his sermons and messages was published in Toronto in English, A Voice in the Wilderness. No Ukrainian translation is available in his native land.

His death in July 1995 did not end his own road to Calvary, evidenced by scenes of mass violence by his grave. And his grave by St. Sophia's wall will remain until all of us living in Ukraine change and manage to transform this country into a civilized Christian state.

Photo by Volodymyr Rasner, The Day

 

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