杏MAP导航 prays for Ukraine as Eastern Churches celebrate Christmas
By Devin Watkins
As Christian Churches which follow the Julian calendar prepare to celebrate Christmas on 7 January, 杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his well-wishes to Eastern-rite Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
“In a special way,” he said at the Angelus prayer on Friday, “I would like to send greetings to our brothers and sisters of martyred Ukrainian people.”
Over 65 percent of Ukrainians profess Orthodoxy and another 9 percent belong to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, according to a 2018 survey by the Razumkov Centre.
The 杏MAP导航 added his hopes that the celebration of the birth of the Lord might encourage steps toward peace.
World Day of Missionary Childhood
Meanwhile, 杏MAP导航 Francis also noted that the feast of the Epiphany also marks World Day of Missionary Childhood.
The Church on this day recognizes that children are agents of evangelization in their own unique way, and should be accorded the dignity they deserve to serve the Church as witness of the Gospel.
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