What does it mean to remain faithful to Christ when your country is at war? In this conversation, Bishop Vyacheslav Horpynchuk of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church speaks about the history of Lutheranism in Ukraine, the persecution of Christians under Soviet rule, and the life of the church during Russia’s full-scale invasion. He describes daily life under missile and drone attacks, how pastors and congregations have been affected by the war, and how the Gospel continues to bring comfort and hope. He also shares remarkable examples of new people coming to church, receiving instruction in the Christian faith, and joining Lutheran congregations even in the midst of suffering. The conversation also addresses difficult questions: Why does God allow suffering? How should Christians respond when prayers seem unanswered? Should a pastor remain in a dangerous area or seek safety? And where can Christians find certainty when death itself becomes an immediate possibility? At the heart of Bishop Horpynchuk’s answer is Christ: his death for sinners, his resurrection, and the eternal life he has won for all who believe in him. Please note: The introductory approximately 30 seconds are in Swedish. The rest of the conversation is in English.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction in Swedish
0:31 Meet Bishop Vyacheslav Horpynchuk
2:32 The history of Lutheranism in Ukraine
6:03 Lutheranism and Ukraine in the 20th century
11:48 Soviet persecution and the rebirth of the church
16:24 Daily life in Ukraine during the war
19:35 How the war has affected the church
22:41 Are people coming to church because of the crisis?
23:00 Humanitarian aid and new opportunities for the Gospel
25:32 A new Lutheran congregation born out of war
27:32 Why does God allow suffering?
28:29 “Cling to Christ” — hope in the midst of war
31:31 How Ukrainian Lutheran pastors support one another
33:46 Weekly Concordia meetings and the Book of Concord
35:58 Should a pastor stay or flee in times of danger?
38:14 “The Lord doesn’t want us to be heroes. He wants us to be faithful.”
39:55 Living with missile attacks as part of daily life
42:30 Remember your Baptism
44:35 How can Christians support the Ukrainian Lutheran Church?
46:19 Closing remarks
About the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) The Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) is a Lutheran church body based in Ukraine. It consists of 25 congregations serving more than 2,500 members and operates Saint Sophia Ukrainian Lutheran Theological Seminary in Ternopil, western Ukraine. Beliefs The ULC teaches that the Bible is the only authoritative source and standard for Christian doctrine. It subscribes to the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of Concord as a faithful presentation of the teachings of Scripture. The ULC teaches that Jesus Christ is at the center of Scripture and is the only way to eternal salvation. It also teaches that the Holy Spirit works through the Gospel in Word and Sacraments — Baptism and Holy Communion — to create and sustain faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and to strengthen Christians in their daily lives of sanctification. History Lutheranism in Ukraine has roots going back several centuries. In 1933, a Ukrainian Lutheran liturgy was published, representing a distinctive Byzantine-rite expression of Lutheran worship. The present Ukrainian Lutheran Church was established in 1996 following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the easing of restrictions on religious life. Its development was supported by Lutheran mission work during the 1980s and 1990s. Although the present church body is relatively young, it traces its heritage to earlier Lutheranism in Ukraine, particularly the Ukrainian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession. That church was persecuted and ultimately destroyed by the Soviet authorities in 1939. The Ukrainian Lutheran Church is regarded legally as the successor to the Ukrainian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession and has been granted the right to reclaim some church property confiscated during the Soviet era.
For more information: https://kristendom.se and https://celc.info/membership/member-churches/ukrainian-lutheran-church/
