Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine: Light of Christmas stronger than bombardments

By Vatican News

“The light of Christmas is so intense and so great that it rises above all difficulties, all aggression and all bombardment.”

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Visvaldas Kulbokas, offered the reflection after Christmas Mass at the Latin Cathedral in Kharkiv, where he stood alongside the pope’s chaplain, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who is prefect of the Dicastery for Charity of the Vatican, as they celebrated the birth of the Child Jesus despite the intense bombardments suffered by the city.

This is the second year that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine celebrate Christmas on December 25.

The celebration was attended by the Latin and Greek-Catholic bishops of Kharkiv, Pavlo Honcharuk and Vasyl’ Tučapec’, as well as retired Greek-Catholic bishop Ihor Isichenko.

Also present were Archbishop Mytrofan of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, several representatives of Protestant communities, the mayor of Kharkiv and other city officials.

“Jesus was present”

But more importantly, as the Nuncio noted, “Jesus was present, born for us. And when Jesus is born in a place constantly attacked and bombarded, his light becomes even more visible, it shines brightly.”

The Lord, he suggested, was still their light shining in the midst of darkness, as the readings from the prophet Isaiah proclaimed.

“These are words that resonate powerfully in these war-torn places,” continued Mgr. Kulbokas, “because it is precisely the light of joy and hope that Christmas brings us.

Furthermore, he emphasized, “this prepares us for the Jubilee of the Holy Year, because we knew that at the same time in Rome the Holy Father opened the Holy Door.”

A diabolical war

It was a beautiful and intense celebration, but also a night of attacks, with missiles and drones exploding near the Ukrainian Greek Catholic cathedral.

Yet, as the Nuncio noted, “Thanks be to God, the church remained intact for the Divine Liturgy on Christmas Day. The glass and everything else was in place.”

Despite the bombing of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which left more than 500,000 people without heat or water, Christmas was still celebrated.

“The first prayer that came to my heart,” continued the Apostolic Nuncio, “was an exorcism, because such a war is very close to the work of the devil. It is directly opposed to Jesus, to the Christmas of Jesus that we celebrate.”

Importance of faith for children

“There is a total contrast,” he continued, “between Jesus, with his light, and the intention of those who seek to kill.”

The Nuncio was particularly struck during the Divine Liturgy on Christmas Day by the presence of many children.

“Parents explained that, especially in times of war, they understand how important it is for their children to listen to catechism and participate in church liturgies, because it is salvation.”

Mission to pray for peace

The celebration of Christmas Day, explained the Nuncio, was also a very “joyful” moment, ending with a speechless shared with the children. This was followed by a visit to the Carmelite Sisters Monastery on the outskirts of Kharkiv.

The nuns confessed to the Nuncio that they had been afraid during the night, but they remained firm in their mission “to pray for peace, for the country and to stay here”, convinced that “Jesus is victorious over everything”.

“For this,” they said, “we have given thanks together to God.