Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov congratulated his compatriots on the holiday of Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Press Service
14 October 2014, 09:01

 Dear friends, I sincerely congratulate you on the holiday of Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary who has been a protector of Ukrainian military – of our Cossacks – and then in the turbulent years of the World War II – of Ukrainian Insurgent Army warriors. Therefore, I uphold the initiative of our colleagues who suggest establishing October 14 as the official Day of Ukrainian Army.     

By the way, "Cossack" translates from Turkic as "a free person". A person can be free when they have the right to choose, and when they are ready to protect this right. For this right to choose our way, a real Cossack Mykhailo Havryliuk stood on the freezing cold and was tortured. For this right every one of us stood on the Maidan!     

Ukrainians have chosen their way. We have chosen a way of freedom and development. We have again proved that we are free. Free, because we are descendants of free people – the Cossacks. This year we have changed the course of history and we ascertained that belonging to the Cossacks nation, as our Anthem states, means to be a free person, to be a Ukrainian. We have no other choice. Happy holiday!   

 

 

Respectfully,

 

Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine                           Oleksandr Turchynov