The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has made a notable gesture by transferring an ancient icon of Archangel Michael to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This was reported on the GUR MO's official Facebook page.
The head of GUR, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, along with Chaplain Colonel Father Kostiantyn Kholodov, presented this valuable icon to His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and all Ukraine.
The icon depicts Archangel Michael as a powerful warrior on a fiery horse, symbolizing the struggle of light against darkness. As noted by GUR, this image carries profound spiritual significance.
“We believe that preserving Ukrainian cultural heritage is of utmost importance, and we are honored to hand this icon over to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. May it serve the Ukrainian believers,” Budanov stated.
Father Kholodov also emphasized the significance of preserving Ukrainian cultural monuments, which have been targeted throughout history.
“For centuries, many of our spiritual treasures have been lost, but today we are on the right path again, and may this icon symbolize our strength and hope,” he added.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had a conversation with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, highlighting that even during the festive days, Russian aggression continues.