Light of Peace shared in Kyiv
Kyiv scouts handed it over to the clergy and delegations from other cities of Ukraine at St. Sophia’s Cathedral
The aim of this event is to carry the light from Christ’s birthplace to those who are celebrating Christmas outside their homes. This year it was done for the first time at St. Sophia’s Cathedral. Christians of various denominations – Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Greek Catholic, and Lutheran – attended the Bethlehem Light transfer ceremony. There were also representatives of the Canadian and Czech embassies, Ukrainian officials, and the military. “The Holy Fire of Bethlehem reflects the most cherished aspiration of each Ukrainian – the aspiration for peace,” says Bohdan Dziurakh, a bishop at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Supreme Archbishop’s curia. “We would like this fire to warm our warriors, the families of the dead, the wounded, the migrants, and the POWs – all those who are in danger today.”
The holy fire was carried, as songs were being sung, onto the street so that people could light candles and icon lamps from it. The participants observed a minute of silence to honor the scouts killed in eastern Ukraine battles. “I want this light to burn in the heart of every defender of Ukraine. The Fire of Bethlehem is called Peace Light, so let it illuminate our road to victory,” scout Ihor Karabin from the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps emphasized.
Ukrainian scouts brought the Holy Fire from Vienna, where this event began. The transfer of the Bethlehem Peace Light by scouts is a tradition launched in 1988. This event was first held in Ukraine in 1992, and it was supported by the Plast scout organization. The event is timed to Christmas celebrations. The fire lit in Bethlehem is spread all over the world. Girl-scout Yulia Shushkevych also promised to bring the light to a church. “Every year I feel great responsibility during this event,” Shushkevych confesses. “Whenever I carry the light to people, I see unity among various individuals. As a rule, people react positively to the Light of Peace, they are open to this.”
For many people, this was the first time they came to see this. For example, Yehor Ostapov, 12, has been a Plast scout for two years, but he has never seen the transfer of the Bethlehem Light of Peace. “A friend invited me to this event. I came and liked the atmosphere very much. I am sure to come next year,” Ostapov says, sharing his impressions. “The Bethlehem Fire is a symbol of fraternity and love. Under the Plast law, one must carry it to others and help people.” Lawyer Natalia Tsap was invited to the ceremony via Facebook. “I am elated, the atmosphere is as serene as at Christmas,” Natalia says joyfully. “For me, the Peace Light is a symbol of purification and radiance. This is a sign that things will be OK here.”
Scouts from all over Ukraine are carrying the Bethlehem Light of Peace to various regions of Ukraine. On December 18, the Light will be handed over to Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko and the city community. The Light will remain on the Kyiv Council premises so that anybody can take a part of it home.
Photo by Mykola TYMCHENKO, The Day
Two Kyiv Plast girl scouts have visited the Den’s editorial office to hand over the Bethlehem Light of Peace to us. As Den is a longtime friend of scouts, this is not the first time they bring us a lit candle – it is sort of a tradition now. So, our editors received the Ukrainian scouts as old friends. “This mass-scale event was launched more than 20 years ago. But the very expression ‘Bethlehem Light of Peace’ sounds in a new way this year,” says Oleksandra Petrauskaite, a girl scout at the 56th Marusia Bohuslavka Unit. “We bring the Light of Peace to hospitals, churches, and nongovernmental organizations. This year the Bethlehem Fire will also travel to our soldiers in the battlefield.
The Den’s editorial office presented the scouts with New Year greeting cards and some copies of Ukraine Incognita. TOP 25 which the State Television and Radio Committee has pronounced the Best Book of Ukraine. Den’s editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna noted: “We take a special attitude to candles, for there is an event, ‘Candle in the Window,’ launched by Den’s regular contributor James Mace. So, we thank you for warmth and light from Bethlehem. This is a candle of global importance.”
