Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, congratulated Maria Yosypivna Shtepuliak, on the 100th Anniversary
Volodymyr Lytvyn, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Monday has greeted Maria Shetupliak on the occasion of her birthday, today it is her 100th anniversary. She lives in Porokhovo village of Ternopil region, but celebrates it in Kyiv with her daughter.
V. Lytvyn has presented Maria Yosypivna with the icon of St. Nicolas and holiday presents.
Family members retold that during the war, Maria Yosypivna buried herself one hundred perished Soviet solders. Local priest promised her in those times that for such good deeds she would live 100 years and if on her 100th anniversary she would receive icon then her life would continue.
V. Lytvyn held the conversation with Maria Yosypivna, her children and grandchildren. In the course of the conversation he declared that "she lived long and complicated life, was industrious personality but preserved her inextinguishable optimism. It is worth respect and fascination."
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is convinced that the national idea of the state should become the idea to preserve our nation, as the average life span in Ukraine comprises approximately seventy years and among factors that influence life span only 20%comprise medical factors, all the rest it is quality of life.
V. Lytvyn emphasized that the state is supposed to take care of lonely people in evening of life as usually they do not have relatives.