A Sunday Thought About the Ukrainian Protesters in Kiev - Our Brothers and Sister in Christ
Government security forces attacked protestors in Kiev. Two weeks ago the Ukrainian legislature passed new laws that essentially made activities and behaviors of the protestors illegal - protestors who have been peacefully gathering in the Maidan (Independence Square) in Kiev. This opened the way to the attacks by security forces.
I've observed the events in Kiev since December on the Internet. At the top of the hour, the entire gathering, led by some person or persons from the stage set in the square, sing the Ukrainian national anthem. OK, interesting, but not too surprising, right? But immediately after that, without fail, the crowd unites in prayer, starting with the Our Father, which is sung as it would be during its recitation in the Byzantine Rite Divine Liturgy. And each time you watch this, you will hear the entire gathering join whoever is leading the singing. In addition, there are typically more prayers - brief but again involving the entire crowd.
These people are our brothers and sister in Christ. And now these same people are being killed.
Since we recently observed the birthday of Martin Luther King, we might remember how Dr. King himself preached the sort or "non-violent" activities the protestors in the Maidan pursued. Perhaps he and his predecessor in non-violent protests, Mahatma Ghandi, whose non-violent approach Dr. King emulated, also served as examples for the people in the Maidan. But, given the prayers each hour, led by the clergy of both the Catholic and Orthodox churches of Ukraine you and I know just Who ultimately moves and inspires these people: Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
These people deserve our prayers and any support we can lend to them.
I came across this video on Youtube weeks ago created to support the people in the Maidan. You will see footage of the attacks by security forces that took place in late November/early December. Given what's just happened, I think it's appropriate to post it here, now. I found it moving then, even more so now.
This was the "anthem" sung as Dr. King led marches, demonstrations and protests to help break down the awful laws that enforced segregation in the South and the social behaviors that enforced racial bias across the U.S. Please join me today in prayer for the people of Ukraine and their legitimate fight for freedom from tyranny as they seek the justice that comes only from an All-Just God.
Under the new laws, people wearing masks or helmets during protests or erecting tents risk arrest and anyone blocking state buildings can be imprisoned for five years. Drivers of cars traveling in convoys of five or more face fines and confiscation of their driving licenses after activists arranged mass outings to the homes of officials including Yanukovych.The government simply "made up" laws to allow them to take the actions they desired and couch their actions in "law." The government will claim they were simply enforcing the law by attacking. This is exactly what I was hoping would not happen, but knew would once these laws were passed. The courageous protestors, who have gathered in the cold of the Ukrainian winter since late November, and have displayed tremendous patience and forbearance in the face of threats from security forces, have been subjected to the heavy arm of government pursuing its desire to protect and defend its power at all costs. Indeed, the attacks have grown more deadly, with at least five people confirmed killed - at least a couple tortured before being murdered.
I've observed the events in Kiev since December on the Internet. At the top of the hour, the entire gathering, led by some person or persons from the stage set in the square, sing the Ukrainian national anthem. OK, interesting, but not too surprising, right? But immediately after that, without fail, the crowd unites in prayer, starting with the Our Father, which is sung as it would be during its recitation in the Byzantine Rite Divine Liturgy. And each time you watch this, you will hear the entire gathering join whoever is leading the singing. In addition, there are typically more prayers - brief but again involving the entire crowd.
These people are our brothers and sister in Christ. And now these same people are being killed.
Since we recently observed the birthday of Martin Luther King, we might remember how Dr. King himself preached the sort or "non-violent" activities the protestors in the Maidan pursued. Perhaps he and his predecessor in non-violent protests, Mahatma Ghandi, whose non-violent approach Dr. King emulated, also served as examples for the people in the Maidan. But, given the prayers each hour, led by the clergy of both the Catholic and Orthodox churches of Ukraine you and I know just Who ultimately moves and inspires these people: Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
These people deserve our prayers and any support we can lend to them.
I came across this video on Youtube weeks ago created to support the people in the Maidan. You will see footage of the attacks by security forces that took place in late November/early December. Given what's just happened, I think it's appropriate to post it here, now. I found it moving then, even more so now.
This was the "anthem" sung as Dr. King led marches, demonstrations and protests to help break down the awful laws that enforced segregation in the South and the social behaviors that enforced racial bias across the U.S. Please join me today in prayer for the people of Ukraine and their legitimate fight for freedom from tyranny as they seek the justice that comes only from an All-Just God.
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