During the Forum of Ukrainians in Eastern Europe, the President of the World Congress of Ukrainians, Pavlo Hrod, presented Metropolitan Ilarion of Rivne and Ostroh with a special commemorative gift.
This is reported by Rivne24
This token of honor, in the form of a candlestick made from samples of weapons used by the Russian aggressor to kill Ukrainians, carries a profound symbolic meaning. It demonstrates how instruments of death can be reinterpreted as symbols of memory and spiritual resistance to evil.
In presenting the gift, Pavlo Hrod emphasized the importance of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in preserving national identity and spiritual unity among Ukrainians on the international stage, as well as supporting the people of Ukraine in the context of full-scale war. Special attention was given to the ministry of Metropolitan Ilarion, his pastoral words, and the active presence of the Church among Ukrainian communities abroad.
Accepting this commemorative candlestick, Metropolitan Ilarion noted that this symbol serves not only as a reminder of the terrible price of freedom but also as a sign of hope: the light of prayer is stronger than the darkness of war, and truth and life ultimately triumph over death.