Budanov in synagogue: Hanukkah will illuminate victories of Ukraine and Israel
Kyrylo Budanov (right) holding the torch to light the menorah. Photo: JCC BEIT Menachem KYIV Facebook
At a festive banquet held at Kyiv's central synagogue, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, lit the second Hanukkah candle on the menorah alongside Vitali Klitschko, the Chief Rabbi, and the Israeli ambassador.
Before the ceremony, Budanov addressed the banquet participants with a formal speech. Among other remarks, he stated, "The flame of this candle will illuminate our future victory – both ours and that of the State of Israel."
"We all need it," Budanov concluded.
Notably, during the menorah lighting ceremony, Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch spoke to Budanov in Russian.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Budanov lit a Hanukkah menorah made from missile fragments at the Jewish community center.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.