Charity luncheon in support of Mudra Sprava Patriarchal Foundation initiatives held in Melbourne

These initiatives are dedicated to saving lives and providing aid to those affected by russian aggression. In his address to the attendees, the Father and Head of the UGCC emphasized that the source of Ukrainian resilience is Christian faith and solidarity, which continue to save lives and offer hope in the most difficult moments.

The event was attended by bishops of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC, led by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC; Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne; Fr. Lyubomyr Yavorskyy, Patriarchal Econome; as well as members of the diplomatic corps and the Ukrainian community in Australia. In total, 300 Ukrainians from across the country purchased tickets for the charity banquet, as reported by the UGCC Information Department.

In his remarks, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked the Ukrainian community in Australia for their steadfast solidarity with the people of Ukraine and spoke about the Church’s mission during the war. He recalled the early days of the full-scale invasion when the Patriarchal Cathedral in Kyiv became a bomb shelter and a “Noah’s Ark” for hundreds of people seeking safety.

The Head of the UGCC described how the Church responded to the challenges of war: “Perhaps the most important mission of the Church right now is to save human lives. Immediately, all our parishes, cathedrals, and monasteries were transformed into humanitarian hubs.”

When asked how Ukraine can resist the aggression, the Primate answered clearly: “Because we believe in the Resurrection. Truly, we believe in God. These authentic Christian values are fundamental to the Ukrainian ability to hold on and fight.”

His Beatitude Sviatoslav highlighted the power of solidarity: “Solidarity and mutual aid save lives. Therefore, the Church—our parish environments and our eparchies—continues to be the heart of nationwide and Church-wide solidarity today.”

The Head of the UGCC specifically spoke about the creation of the Mudra Sprava Patriarchal Foundation, which continues the traditions of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, whose 160^th birth anniversary is being celebrated this year. The foundation’s activities are rooted in four core values of the Church’s social teaching: the common good, human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity.

During the war, the foundation has focused primarily on saving human lives. The Primate recalled a meeting with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko during the most difficult days of the capital’s siege: “We asked how we could help: with bread, medicine, or clothing? He replied, ‘From the Church, more than bread, we need a word of hope.’” This is why the presence of bishops, priests, and volunteers in conflict zones has become a source of hope for many.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed sincere gratitude to the Ukrainians of Australia for their support: “You help us be God’s help for those who cry out to Him day and night for salvation. Thank you for your solidarity, which is saving lives in Ukraine. Thank you for your trust—sometimes trust is more important than money.”

The banquet also featured a charity auction. Items included a Ukrainian flag signed by General Kyrylo Budanov, a rosary from His Beatitude Sviatoslav, an icon of the “Image Not Made by Hands” from Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, and other unique lots.

Fr. Lyubomyr Yavorskyy, Patriarchal Economos, emphasized that this charity banquet was not only about fundraising or presenting the activities of Mudra Sprava during the war, but primarily about uniting Ukrainians from all over the world. “It is important that the catalyst for this unity is a shared idea—the idea of solidarity: to help, to persevere, to pray for one another, and to support each other. We are united on the Australian continent because we are united by our Mother Church,” noted Fr. Lyubomyr.