War in Ukraine: in Lviv, no forgiveness for the Russian invader

Published on : 03/07/2022 – 08:03

Orthodox Christians celebrated Sunday, March 6, the “day of forgiveness”. An event that has taken on a particular meaning in Ukraine, where the Russian army is continuing its offensive. “We could pray for the Russian people, as a lost people. But not for those who lead this war, no. God forbid,” asserts Father Andriy, an Orthodox priest from the Church of the Presentation, in the suburbs of Lviv.

This city has become, in recent weeks, a refuge for many Ukrainians fleeing the fighting further east. This is the case of Ilya and Vlad, from Mariupol, without news from their families for four days.

“We don’t know if they have food, water, electricity, or even if they are alive. It’s really terrible to see the picture of a dead Russian soldier and s “Rejoice. But yes, we rejoice when they kill Russian soldiers. And it will be like that until they leave” laments Ilya.

The two professional actors found refuge in a theatre, transformed into a dormitory for displaced people. Inside abound women and children who fled several regions of Ukraine, plagued by fighting. They don’t know what the future holds for them.