Christ is Risen!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
On Sunday, when we listen to the Gospel of the paralytic and at the same time celebrate the Day of the Sick in Ukraine, the Church turns its gaze with special attention and love to all who suffer. In times of difficult trials for our people, when the Fatherland is going through a cruel war, when wounds multiply every day, both physical and spiritual, we are called to see the face of the suffering Christ in every wounded and sick person in a special way. In His wounds is our healing, in His cross is our hope, in His resurrection is our life.
Today, together with our entire Church, we lay before the Lord the painful wounds of our defenders - soldiers who were wounded at the front, lost their health, limbs, the ability to see or hear. Their bodies are marked by the scars of war, and their hearts are often marked by invisible pain, trauma, anxiety, fear, and nightmares. Next to them are wounded and sick civilians: adults and children, the elderly, victims of shelling, those who have lost their homes, loved ones, and a roof over their heads and are now fighting not only for their lives but also for the preservation of human dignity.
The Church looks at our children with particular pain today. They often have no visible physical wounds, but their hearts are marked by deep traces of war: the fear of air raids, the experience of hiding in basements and bomb shelters, separation from their parents, forced emigration, and difficult memories that are difficult to express in words. Their pain is silent, but extremely deep, and we have no right to leave it without attention and care.
Let us not forget the multitude of morally and spiritually wounded people: those who have lost the meaning of life, are experiencing deep fatigue and disappointment, cannot forgive, live in constant fear or despair. Wounds of the soul are no less painful than wounds of the body. It is to these people that the Church today wants to speak words of comfort and mercy, to be close to everyone, following the example of the Good Samaritan, who does not pass by the wounded, but stops and bandages their wounds, supports and accompanies them.
On this Day of the Sick, we call on all our parishes, communities and families to a special prayer and effective mercy:
- let us pray at the Divine Liturgy, in the family circle and personally for wounded soldiers, sick civilians, children and all who suffer;
- let us remember in prayer doctors, nurses, chaplains, psychologists, volunteers and all who serve at the bedside of the sick or wounded;
- let us visit, if possible, those who are in hospitals, military hospitals, rehabilitation centres or who are suffering alone at home;
- let us support with a kind word, attention, comfort, telephone call, volunteer or material help those who bear the heavy cross of illness or injury;
- let us ask the Lord for the grace of healing – physical, psychological and spiritual – for each wounded person and for our people as a whole.
As Pope Leo XIV noted in his address for the World Day of the Sick, “the true remedy for humanity’s wounds is a style of life based on fraternal love, which has its root in love of God.”[16] I genuinely hope that our Christian lifestyle will always reflect this fraternal, “Samaritan” spirit – one that is welcoming, courageous, committed and supportive, rooted in our union with God and our faith in Jesus Christ.”(3). Enkindled by this divine love, we will surely be able to give of ourselves for the good of all who suffer, especially our brothers and sisters who are sick, elderly or afflicted.
Dearly beloved in Christ, let us remember: for the sick or wounded, sometimes a single sincere word, a smile, or a simple presence nearby becomes a sign of God’s love. Our service to the sick person cannot do without constant empathy for suffering, without kindness and gentleness, forgiveness, and solidarity. Only continued care and unwavering help can restore to the sick person God’s most precious gift—the awareness of his or her dignity in God’s eyes.
Let us remember that the Word of God, revealed in Holy Scripture, should become for us an example and a source of inspiration for serving the sick. In every dressing, in every act of mercy performed for the suffering, we touch Christ himself, who said: “I was sick and you visited me” (Mt 25:36).
Let us help the sick to understand that the state of illness, even if it is long, can become our treasure of spiritual experience. We are called to live our sufferings and pains in complete union through faith with our suffering Savior. He took upon himself the pains and sufferings of every person and is present in our sufferings. After all, it was in this way that Jesus Christ, the incarnate only-begotten Son of God, fulfilled the will of His Heavenly Father and returned us to Him. By humbly accepting illness, a person joins in Christ’s sufferings; one’s suffering can also be salvific for oneself and for others. In the example of Jesus Christ, we see that human weakness becomes an opportunity to do good, to take on and help bear the burden of the suffering of our neighbours, as did the Savior, who took on the burden of our sins.
Today, looking at the crucified but risen Lord, let us entrust to Him all our wounds – personal and national. May His grace touch every wounded soul, give strength to those who heal and serve, and bring closer the day of just peace for Ukraine.
May the Most Holy Theotokos, the Oranta of our people, cover with her mantle all the wounded, sick, infirm, suffering and their families. May Saint John Paul II, who established the Day of the Sick, and all the saints of the Ukrainian land ask the Lord for the gift of healing, fortitude, hope and comfort for our people.
I fervently wish that this day will become for each of us a reminder of the power of love, compassion and mutual support. Let us be close to each other, let us bear the burdens of our neighbours, let us not lose hope and believe: even in this dark time the Lord leads us to life.
With a prayer for every wounded, sick and weary in our people
+SVIATOSLAV
Given in Kyiv,
at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ,
on the day of the Holy, glorious great martyr, victor and miracle worker George,
April 23, 2026 of the year of God
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We instruct the pastors to read this Address to the faithful after each Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Paralytic, May 3 [April 26] of this year.
And during each Divine Liturgy in the special litany to add the following petitions:
We also pray to the Lord our God for all the sick, for the healing of their souls and bodies. Confirm, O Lord, their faith and strengthen them in hope, for You are the source of healing and the giver of all good.
We also pray for all medical workers and for those who, through their work, bring relief from suffering and pain to the infirm. Grant them, O Lord, Your grace, that their souls may always be filled with mercy, kindness and compassion for the sick, and that in their work they may always show deep respect for their dignity.
We also pray for all clergy and chaplains and for those who carry out voluntary service to the sick. Grant them, O Lord, Your grace, that in their service, Your love and Your mercy may become visible to all who bear the heavy cross of illness. Be to them, O Lord, a helper and giver of strength and inspiration for the accomplishment of works of mercy.
[*unofficial English translation]
