"Our heroes embody Christ's sacrifice" – Epiphanius addresses Ukrainians on Palm Sunday

Metropolitan Epiphanius, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, said this in his congratulatory speech on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2023.

In his congratulatory speech, Metropolitan Epiphanius explained the significance of the willow branch and the holiday, saying that just as Christ was greeted with joyous cries of "Hosanna!" and palm branches, the willow branch is also consecrated today to glorify the Sons of God who willingly went to the fight for the sake of humanity.

Drawing a parallel to Christ, the head of the OCU emphasized that “the Defense Forces of Ukraine also demonstrate sacrifice for the sake of others during the ongoing full-scale war. The newest heroes of Ukraine embody the sacrifice of Christ by consciously facing trials and difficulties, often sacrificing their own lives to protect those they love. Recognizing their sacrifice and our shared pain helps us understand the burden of this difficult but clear choice. By understanding this daily sacrifice made by our contemporaries, we can come closer to understanding the Savior's sacrifice, who came to earth to serve people, die for our sins, and bring salvation.”

On this Palm Sunday, the Metropolitan called upon us to glorify God, who has granted us eternal life, and to pray for the Ukrainian defenders currently protecting our earthly life.