On Tuesday, October 1, on the Christian holiday of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Defenders of Ukraine and the Day of Cossacks.
This is reported by Ukrinform.
The Day of Defenders of Ukraine is a state holiday that was established on October 14, 2014 by a presidential decree as Defender of Ukraine Day. On July 14, 2021, the Verkhovna Rada renamed the holiday the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. It was celebrated on October 14, but last year the date of the holiday was moved to October 1 due to the reform of the church calendar.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine decided to switch to the New Julian calendar from September 1, 2023. Thus, the majority of Ukrainian Christians already celebrate religious holidays according to the new calendar – 13 days earlier. In particular, the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated on October 1 instead of October 14, and together with it, the date of the Day of Defenders has been moved.
The need for such a national holiday became especially acute after Russia’s occupation of Crimea and the start of hostilities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Unprecedented courage and bravery shown by Ukrainian fighters on the front line, hundreds of dedicated lives for the Motherland, required a worthy tribute from society and the state.
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Today, on the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, a large-scale moment of silence will be held throughout the country in memory of the fallen soldiers. A joint prayer for Ukraine and fallen defenders will also be held.
The Intercession of the Holy Mother of God is one of the main holidays in Orthodoxy. It has either a legend or a real event that took place in ancient Tsargorod (Constantinople), when the city was surrounded by foreigners. Under the church vault, during the all-night service in the Blacherna Cathedral, the Holy Mother of God appeared surrounded by angels, prophets and apostles and covered the faithful with an amazingly beautiful omophorion. This vision was a harbinger of victory – soon the enemy retreated, and the city was saved. Since then, Protection has been associated with patronage and protection from both visible and invisible enemies.
From time immemorial, the Mother of God has been the patroness of the Ukrainian Cossacks and all Ukrainian armed forces. It was on the Feast of the Intercession in Ukraine that the Great Council was held, at which the Hetman was elected and how the Cossacks would continue to live. The Zaporozhian Cossacks had a church in Sich in honor of the Mother of God-Protection, as well as an icon of her Protection. Going on a campaign against the enemy, the Cossacks sent a prayer to their Patroness. After returning happily from the trip, they thanked her.
Already in the 20th century, the Cossack traditions of the struggle for the independence of Ukraine were imitated by the soldiers of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. It is not by chance that the day of the official creation of the UPA was chosen to be the Feast of the Intercession.
The modern Ukrainian army preserves the military traditions of its ancestors, which is why names with the names of legendary Ukrainian commanders and glorified formations of the past appeared in the army. The gravity of the generations was also reflected in the elements of uniforms – the “mazepinka” headdress, the sleeveless trident. And the slogan “Glory to Ukraine! – Glory to the heroes!” became the official greeting of the Ukrainian army.
In honor of the Intercession, many churches were built in Ukraine. One of the oldest is the Church of the Intercession in the village of Sutkivtsi, Khmelnytskyi region, built in 1467 as a fortress. Today, this unique building is an active temple and museum at the same time.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainian soldiers on Defender of Ukraine Day. He noted that today is the day that makes tomorrow possible, and we are standing here, on our land, in our capital.
The head of state announced this during speech at the ceremony of taking the oath of the lyceum and presenting state awards in Kyiv.
“Today is the day, thanks to which there is tomorrow, and we stand here, on our land, in our capital, with our flags, thanks to whom life will win. Thanks to you,” said Zelensky.
He noted that a defense attorney today is more than a profession, more than a vocation.
“The slogans of different branches of our troops, different brigades and formations are more than words for you. You have proven it more than once on the battlefield, where you are always for Ukraine, for its will,” the head of state noted.
He thanked everyone who is currently protecting our country.
“These are our arta, our gods of war, those who hit well; our Air Force, which, protecting our country, is always at its best; this is our air defense that does everything to keep our skies clean. Our tankers, who in cotton gloves are hardening their strength. Our infantry, which is doing extremely hard work, gnawing away at every line. Our scouts, who know everything and thwart the plans of the invaders. Our Navy, our paratroopers, special forces, national guardsmen, border guards, the Security Service of Ukraine, TRO, all our security and defense forces,” Zelenskyi said.
During the ceremony, a moment of silence was announced in memory of the fallen soldiers.
“Eternal glory to those who defend the Ukrainian sky, land and seas, eternal memory to those who protected Ukraine at the cost of their own lives,” said the President.
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Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi on the occasion of the Day of Defenders of Ukraine greeted soldiers
“This is our holiday, dear brothers and sisters – Ukrainian soldiers! The holiday under the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. It is a holiday of those who, in the most difficult times for their country, were not afraid and chose weapons. The holiday of brave men and women who stood up for the defense of the state. “This is a holiday of those who, despite the skepticism of the whole world, gave battle to the so-called “second army of the world” and stopped it,” said Sirskyi.
According to him, this is “the holiday of those who believe. He believes that in this world, good wins over evil, and light over darkness. As David believed when he went to battle against Goliath.
“This is a holiday for those who are already on the shield, but did not let go of their weapons until their last breath. And forever inscribed their names in the tablet of memory of the Ukrainian people. Eternal glory to our heroes who died fighting for Ukraine. This is a holiday of those who will go through all the hardships of war and battles. This is a holiday for those who will later march in the parade of our Ukrainian Victory,” Sirsky emphasized.
He thanked the parents who raised their sons and daughters to be patriots who defended the Motherland.
“Bow to you and respect! Join the ranks of the army of winners! Join the ranks of the army of defenders of Ukraine! Happy Ukrainian defender’s day, indomitable warriors of the fighting country! He will fight and he will definitely win!” – emphasized Sirskyi.
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On the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal urged to thank everyone who defends the country from the Russian invaders.
“Ukraine will always be grateful to its defenders who defended its independence. Which preserved her freedom and the opportunity to live, develop, and think about the future,” he wrote.
“Today, let us once again thank every soldier who defends the homeland. To everyone who gave his life for the sake of a strong and flourishing Ukraine. Your bravery and heroism are forever in history. Thank you! May the Holy Mother of God protect and protect each of you. Happy defenders’ day. Glory to Ukraine!” – noted the Prime Minister.
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Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov expressed his sincere gratitude to the defenders who defend Ukraine every day on the ground, in the sky and at sea.
“Today we express our sincere gratitude to all our defenders – true heroes who defend Ukraine on land, in the sky and at sea every day. On the front line and in the rear of the enemy. We know what we are fighting for: for our home, for our relatives who dream of a peaceful heaven. For the cities and villages waiting for liberation,” he wrote in Facebook
According to Umyerov, Ukrainians are also fighting “for future generations who will live on their land without fear. And for the memory of those who over the centuries gave their lives for our freedom.”
“Eternal honor to the sons and daughters of Ukraine who sacrificed their lives for our state. Our struggle will continue until we achieve the common goal of victory. Thank you to every Ukrainian soldier for unity, courage and resilience. Happy Defender of Ukraine Day! Glory to Ukraine!”, the Minister of Defense emphasized.
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Together with its comrades, the Security Service of Ukraine makes a significant contribution to the victory: it repels the enemy not only inside the country, but gradually transfers the war to the territory of Russia.
This is stated in greetings head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, on the occasion of the Day of Defenders of Ukraine
Malyuk emphasized that now military airfields regularly burn on enemy territory and arsenals of weapons fly into the air, and statistics of enemy losses – both equipment and personnel – are constantly increasing.
“All this is the result of extraordinary strength and courage of the soldiers of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, who boundlessly and devotedly love their country and are ready to give the most dearly for it. So we honor the memory of the best sons and daughters who died in the war. And we are fighting for everyone who is waiting for release from Russian captivity. Protecting their identity, Ukrainians have already become a nation of Heroes. And every centimeter of our land is a place of feat. And if earlier we knew our Heroes mainly from history, today they are fighting side by side with us,” the greeting reads.
According to Malyuk, during the years of the war, the Day of Defenders became more than just a holiday: “We all feel it in our hearts – as a special thanks to those who fight and restrain the Russian horde. And at the same time – as a symbol of unconditional faith in our Victory.”
The head of the SBU added that every Ukrainian perfectly understands that the price of the current battle is life and freedom, the future of our country. Therefore, today the entire nation is without exaggeration creating a new history of independent Ukraine, he emphasized and noted that the war with Russia did not start in 2022 or 2014 – it has been going on for centuries. “But it was our generation that was destined to put an end to it. And we will definitely do it!” – emphasized Malyuk.
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As in Facebook wrote the acting commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kryvonozhko, “people and weapons are what our statehood, our freedom, our life rests on today. The faces of Ukrainian defenders are so clear and so courageous at the same time.”
“I am proud of each and every one who at this time defends the country with a weapon in hand. In the Air Force, it is different, but very fast and powerful,” Kryvonozhko said.
In order to master it professionally, you need to make maximum efforts and patience, to learn how to destroy the enemy in a filigree manner, you need knowledge and time.
“We don’t have much time, so the Ukrainian defenders of the sky are training on Nasams, Patriot or F-16 in an extremely short period of time, trying to adapt as quickly as possible to constant changes, to new conditions of warfare, introducing new countermeasures and new tactical techniques,” – Kryvonozhko emphasized.
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As in Telegram wrote the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyryl Budanov, on the day of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God, Ukrainians traditionally honor those “who have the honor of bearing the proud name of defender of Ukraine, and bow their heads to all those who gave their lives for Ukraine : from Russian soldiers to Cossacks, from Sich riflemen, UPA soldiers to modern Heroes”.
“Ukrainians have been fighting for freedom for hundreds of years. And now, in difficult battles with the Russian invaders, we are fighting for our country, its ideals, integrity and independence. Weapons and training make the army powerful. The strength of the spirit makes him invincible! Our resistance and faith in Victory will not be broken – the truth and our land are behind us! We prove our effectiveness every day by inflicting devastating blows with all available means on the Russian invaders at sea, in the sky, and on the ground. We will destroy them until our complete Victory!” Budanov stressed
On this festive day, he wished everyone indomitable will, inexhaustible energy and optimism.
“May the Holy Mother of God protect Ukraine and give us the strength to fight the Moscow terrorists in a fair way!” Budanov stressed.
