The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has transferred a historic icon of Archangel Michael to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This was announced on Facebook.
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the GUR, and Colonel Chaplain Father Kostiantyn Kholodov presented the ancient icon of Archangel Michael to His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
The icon depicts Archangel Michael as a mighty warrior on a fiery steed. Each element of the image symbolizes the struggle between good and evil and the inevitable victory of light over darkness, as noted by the GUR.
“Preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of Ukraine is of utmost importance, and we proudly transfer this relic to where it rightfully belongs — to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. May it continue to support all Ukrainian believers, as it has for centuries,” emphasized Budanov.
Father Kholodov highlighted that the preservation, restoration, and return of Ukrainian cultural treasures is one of the current vital tasks.
“For centuries, the Russians have plundered us, stolen our artistic creations, and sought to destroy our culture and take away our faith. Today, just as we have for centuries, we stand — but this time with unprecedented strength. May this icon serve the faithful and protect them from evil and darkness,” he stressed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had a conversation with His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and noted that even on Christmas Eve and Christmas night, the Russian army did not cease its brutal strikes against Ukraine.