Odessa, Ukraine/Geneva, 20.02.2014. A place for peace and prayer – and an improvised hospital. For several days now the German Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Kyiv has been caring for the victims of the violent clashes on Independence Square (the Maidan). Serge Maschewski, who was consecrated on Sunday as bishop of the German Evangelical Church in Ukraine (GELCU), speaks about the events of Tuesday night and the situation in Ukraine.
What is the situation where you are?
It is very difficult. Many demonstrators from the Maidan got into brutal fights with the Berkut (special police units), and there are victims on both sides. We have made a statement: we pray for the people involved and call for dialogue and reconciliation. We ask the government not to fight against its own people, but to sit down with them at one table and make joint decisions. We are very worried that the government is using force against its own people.
Is the Kyiv congregation caring for the wounded?
Our congregations in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv support the Maidan demonstrators. The Kyiv church is only 150 meters from the government building. It is truly a haven of peace, where many people come to rest and reflect on what is happening. But for several days now the congregations have also been providing first aid. On Wednesday morning the Kyiv congregation tended more than 20 people with serious injuries – cuts, burns received from “Molotov cocktails”, bruises, and injuries from batons. I was in contact with the congregation only by telephone, because the roads to Kyiv are blocked. The situation here is very complicated, and we maintain constant communication by mobile phone and „Skype”.
So the Lutheran congregations have for some time become a resting place for demonstrators?
Our churches are open to everyone. In recent weeks we have been offering coffee and tea to everyone who comes in to rest or simply to use the restroom. We talk and pray with them; this is very important in this situation, and we see it as our responsibility to help. Sometimes soldiers come in too, and we offer them coffee and tea as well. They are in an unfortunate situation; they have been given an order they do not really want to carry out, but they are afraid. We help everyone regardless of their political party affiliation.
What is your position as a church?
Since we are a German church, people here associate us with Western Europe. We are not on anyone’s side, but we have to speak about injustice. We cannot remain silent. We do not want any violence; it is our biblical responsibility – to call for peace. Today we sat down and prepared a statement that the church supports the people. The casualties and the bloodshed are terrible, and we called for dialogue and reconciliation.
What can be done to support the people at the local level?
The Kyiv congregation needs donations of medications, dressing materials and iodine. We are also looking for professional doctors who could help as volunteers. And we need your prayers. Pray for our church, for peace and a good future for Ukraine, our people. We are on the threshold of civil war, and your prayers are very meaningful to us.
Translated by: Ieva Puriņa
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ukraine_flag_map.png