Easter Greetings from the Rector of TNMU

Dear colleagues and students, our cherished university family!

I extend my heartfelt greetings to you on the occasion of the Resurrection of Christ—a holiday that brings with it the light of hope, the power of renewal, and unwavering faith in the triumph of life. For centuries, Easter has been a source of inspiration for all Christians. It has always been a time of joy, family warmth, and spiritual uplift, when we come together to share kindness and give thanks for the blessings in our lives.

But today, as our country enters the fourth year of a full-scale war, this holiday arrives with a bitter taste of pain, anxiety, and sorrow. For four years now, our people have been walking their own Way of the Cross. The deep wounds on the body of our weary Ukraine are seen in destroyed towns and villages, burned hospitals, schools, and kindergartens, shattered bridges and power plants. Yet the deepest and bloodiest wound is the countless Ukrainian men, women, and—most tragically—children who will never see the sun again. This is our stolen future—children abducted and taken far from home, their little hearts beating somewhere in a foreign land. Millions of refugees have seen their homes turned to ashes and their lives into endless roads in search of safety.

These wounds bleed in all of us—with cries, tears, and grief that never cease, day or night.

It is hard to find peace in our hearts when not all members of our university family can share in the joy of this day. Some of our colleagues, students, and graduates are now at the front lines, defending our country with weapons in hand. Some are saving lives in battlefield conditions or in frontline hospitals. This year, they won’t be blessing Easter baskets in churches—they will be spending the holiday in trenches, protecting us all. Among us are also those whose loved ones live only in memory, having never lived to see this Easter. We grieve and worry for every one of them—for all who fight and carry their cross in this war.

Yet even in these dark times, the Resurrection of Christ comes to us as a symbol of unwavering faith, reminding us that light always overcomes darkness, life is stronger than death, love conquers hatred, and good ultimately triumphs over evil. In such difficult times of trial for our nation, it is more important than ever to cherish our traditions and values, to safeguard the spiritual treasures that unite us as a people and as a community. These are the cornerstones of our unity, our identity, our faith, and our shared purpose.

May this Easter, despite all hardships, bring us at least a drop of warmth and comfort. May it strengthen our belief that peace will come, that our warriors will return home, and that our families will once again be reunited. Let us open our hearts to light, warmth, and love, and may they be filled with God’s grace. Let us give thanks to the Almighty that we have the blessing of celebrating this holy day in the circle of loved ones, on our God-given land. Let us open our souls to hope, pray for those who protect us, for those we have lost, and for Ukraine—that she may rise again, strong, free, and unconquerable.

We believe in the Resurrection of Christ—and in the victory of Ukraine!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Rector of TNMU,
Professor Mykhailo Korda