Orange Revolution in Ukraine

My name is Jaroslaw Wisniewski 42, Polish.
It is the second time in my life expecting Christmas in Donbass - East part of Ukraine.
As young diocesan missionary priest I volunteered to post - soviet Russia. It was 12 and half years ago.
Ten times I celebrated Christmas with my Russian parishioners in North Caucasus and Far East Siberia. Finally in 2002 when famous persecutions of Catholics in Russia started under Mr. Putins regime I was proclaimed "persona non grata". The official reason was mine over-activity realized by Orthodox as proselitysme. All my biography, apologies, poetries and photos you may find www.xjarek.net
Now I wish start my Christmas letter which may have just 3 topics:

1.Explaining my missionary life in Ukraine. Activities, difficulties, projects, dreams.
2.Telling you generally about democratic movement in Ukraine, so called Orange Revolution.
3.Expressing Christmas Greetings.

Concerning point 1

From July 2002 I am working in East Ukraine. At first in Lugansk 2 months only, later in September 2002 I came to Makeevka and 3 other outstations. In my zone of activity in circle about 100 km live more than million citizens but only 200 active Catholics. You may compare with very religious Africa and say for sure the desert is here in Ukraina not in Africa mean spiritual desert. Of course I am not the only one missionary here. There are some Orthodox and Protestants, even Jews and Moslems, but their activities very weak and result same as mine. People is preoccupied first of all how survive and enjoy time. Famous roman "Bread and games" . I may see many time on the park near metallurgic center in week end hundreds of buses token for free by director of enterprise to participate all the football games of Shakhter Donetsk, the team which belong to local Oligarch. They have to travel more than 50 km. Same time my beautiful neo - gothic church building which is under reconstruction, standing just 200 steps from main gates of enterprise - nobody care, zero of curiosity. I tried any kind of advertising and publicity. Every week I spend 1000 km driving car to visit all the outstation. Loose much money for gasoline but all that seems as "Sisyphus efforts". Their hearts as steel or iron.

Concerning point 2

East Ukraine is most populated part of the country because of heavy industry which came in tsar times end of XIX-th century. In soviet times it was especially here "artificial hunger" happen twice in 30-ties and 50-ties.
Unfortunately it is most atheistic part of Ukraine. The people here loosed own culture, even language. Ninety percent of population here does not speak Ukrainian but only Russian which is direct result of artificial Russification of local citizens by the Soviet State. In fact last days some politics used such situation to proclaim separatist aspirations of Russian speaking South-East Ukraina - as revenge to patriotic "Orange Movement" in Kiev. Orange Revolution is a protest of simple people against rich oligarchic rule. Students, opposition pretend to make Ukraine more similar to all the European countries and avoid Russian autocracy in political, cultural and religious choices. It may be providential also for catholic minority and myself as missionary in Ukraine.
Also here happened during elections the most high number of abuses which Highest Court called as multiples falsifications. It was a hard time for myself as a priest because some parishioners coming to my small chapels took the books, icons and other different "literature" supporting Prime Minister in power asking me to pray for him. I was trained in Poland to be ever neutral in such situation and not proclaim in church some personal sympathies publicly. It is obligatory to keep authority of church clean. From another hand most of such actions happened to me in November month, the time we ever pray "requiems or egsequias".
From another hand there is prejudice here telling that if you wish to hurt some person still alive you have to visit church and ask the priest pray funeral mass for that poor person. I asked my parishioner if they wish to hurt Prime Minister such a way. It was a joke but result was satisfactory. Politic competition in my chapel was stopped for ever.
Such problem exist because many Orthodox priests were obligated by their bishops to support "Moscow Candidate": Yanukovich.
He born in the city Enakevo which is one of 4 cities under my pastoral care. His criminal past and actual activities has nothing common with Christianity. It is why I was oppressed and depressed twice these days.

Concerning point 3

I hope Christmas and New Year there will be no war here in Ukraine and Orange Revolution - revolution of students with kindness, songs and flowers will come also to my parishes in East Ukraina. Please pray that it may really happen.
I wish everybody peace in Christ.
Infant Jesus may be a model of Peace for everybody.