… forced society to reconsider what is truly valuable in life. While war is often described as taking away young people’s plans, opportunities and dreams, he emphasized that responsibility lies not with an abstract concept of war but with those who have caused it.
Addressing young Ukrainians directly, Metropolitan Epifaniy urged them to “be warriors of light” and resist attempts to deprive them of hope.
“Do not allow the enemy to discourage you, break you, or take away your hope and support,” he said. “Resist evil without losing your ability to love, befriend, care, help, believe, rejoice and be grateful — to our defenders, to people of goodwill and to God.”
He particularly encouraged young people to preserve their humanity, care for themselves and those close to them, and not postpone living their lives until after the war.
“The future is being created right now, by each one of you,” Metropolitan Epifaniy stressed. “Every daily choice, even the smallest one, and every action you take is a building block for the next day, a foundation for tomorrow.”
…
On the occasion of Youth Day, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine addressed a message to young Ukrainians, offering prayers for a generation growing up amid the hardships and realities of war.
Metropolitan Epifaniy noted that today’s young people are gaining difficult life experiences that previous generations did not have to face at the same age. “Today’s youth are different,” he said, adding that in many respects it is now young people who have lessons to teach older generations.
Reflecting on the impact of the war, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine stressed that it has forced society to reconsider what is truly valuable in life. While war is often described as taking away young people’s plans, opportunities and dreams, he emphasized that responsibility lies not with an abstract concept of war but with those who have caused it.
Addressing young Ukrainians directly, Metropolitan Epifaniy urged them to “be warriors of light” and resist attempts to deprive them of hope.
“Do not allow the enemy to discourage you, break you, or take away your hope and support,” he said. “Resist evil without losing your ability to love, befriend, care, help, believe, rejoice and be grateful — to our defenders, to people of goodwill and to God.”
He particularly encouraged young people to preserve their humanity, care for themselves and those close to them, and not postpone living their lives until after the war.
“The future is being created right now, by each one of you,” Metropolitan Epifaniy stressed. “Every daily choice, even the smallest one, and every action you take is a building block for the next day, a foundation for tomorrow.”
He concluded by reminding young Ukrainians that the way they study, work, build friendships, love and treat others today is already shaping the Ukrainian society of tomorrow.