«Advent, the fourth of this war, is experienced with particular intensity by the inhabitants of Zaporizhzhia. We await the end of the conflict, but the situation is becoming increasingly difficult.” From the co-cathedral of God the Merciful Father, Monsignor Jan Sobilo, auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia, tells with apprehension how the inhabitants of the capital city of the Ukrainian region of the same name are living. The pre-Christmas period of Advent has just begun: time of waiting, of a trust which, after almost four years under bombing, is put to the test.
In recent weeks, Russian troops have advanced into the Zaporizhzhia region, intensifying their attacks, and Ukrainians have had to retreat from several villages in the south-eastern oblast. «The front line is slowly approaching our city. Let us place all our hope in Jesus, who comes as the Prince of peace, only He can give true peace.” The bishop does not hide the drama of the moment: «The situation in Zaporizhzhia is worsening. People are mentally and physically exhausted due to the heavy, constant stress caused by the bombing.”
The meeting in Moscow between Putin and Washington envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ended without concrete progress, with the Kremlin, on the one hand, open to Trump’s plan and praising the efforts to reach an agreement, but then he says he does not accept a series of points and conditions, he says that finding a solution is difficult and in fact continues with the strategy of not deciding anything to take time and put it off. And in the meantime, continue its military offensive throughout Ukraine, primarily targeting energy structures: last night the attack on an energy plant in Odessa left 50 thousand people without electricity. Putin, traveling to India to meet Prime Minister Modi, he returned to threaten Kyiv in an interview with the India Today channel stating that if Ukrainian troops do not withdraw from Donbas, Russian forces will conquer it by force.
Two days ago the Kremlin leader said that if Europe wants to start a war against Moscow, Russia is ready. He accused the Europeans of not having “a peaceful program” and reiterated that Moscow will negotiate only with the US administration, he insinuated that Europe is an obstacle to the efforts of the United States and Donald Trump to achieve peace, with the clear objective – as has been highlighted by many – of creating a rift between Europe and the United States.
For peace, just, lasting and sustainable, Ukrainians still have to wait. As winter progresses, temperatures drop, and souls are increasingly tired and exhausted. «We are in the cold, without light for many hours a day. This was not the case in previous years. Now the Russians are destroying our energy facilities.” Reporting from Fastiv, in the Kyiv region, is Olena Furman, 41-year-old jewelry designer, which she makes with local flowers, and teacher in the Catholic school of the Dominican Charitable Center San Martino de Porres. «Now it is really very hard and many people I know are sick, they have fallen into depression. And those who could go abroad don’t do so so as not to leave elderly family members, parents, relatives.”
Olena, a creative spirit, does not lose heart, does not abandon her smile, the positivity that distinguishes her. And he entrusts his wait for peace to prayer in the season of Advent, together with the Catholic community of the San Martino Center. «From the first day and throughout the Advent period we participate in mass at 6 in the morning, in the Dominican church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross». A very suggestive celebration, explains Olena: «We gather in church with the lights off, with the candles lit. Adults, teenagers and children come to these Advent masses. In the first few days, participation is very high, despite such a tiring schedule. And the ones who are very present, with great enthusiasm, are the children. My youngest daughter, Solomya, who is 10 years old, wakes up in the morning as early as 4 to attend mass. She says she likes getting up so early.” And he adds: «Many children who do not come to the Eucharistic celebration on Sundays participate in the one at 6 in the morning during Advent. As Father Mykhailo Romaniv, the director of the Center, always says, the Advent period, especially for the little ones, has a particular atmosphere, something magical.”
