David Nazar, SJ, is a Canadian Jesuit who is the Rector of the Pontificio Istituto Orientale in Rome.
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Writing from Ukraine, David Nazar SJ - a Canadian Jesuit who is the Superior of the Jesuits in Ukraine - gives a first-hand account of the recent events in the country. The media coverage has been littered with misunderstandings, he says, particularly in the reporting of the influence of the oligarchs and the role played by Russia. What is really going on in this 'apocalyptic' confrontation between the people and the government?...
One year ago today - February 13, 2013 - igNation posted it's first articles - one in each of our four categories - Our Culture, Our Daily Lives, Our Seasons, Our Spirituality. In honor of this first anniversary, we repost these first four articles. Please enjoy!...
Democratic sensibility has a long history in Ukraine, at least since the period of the Cossacks – four to five centuries ago. The desire of having a single strong leader is not a part of Ukrainian political or social sensibility, as it is in Russia. Ukrainians are more community oriented, have strong sense of compassion, and reject regionalism. Even most Russian nationals who were brought to the territory by Catherine the Great or Stalin have adapted to the local sensibility. There are exceptions, but as a general feature this sensibility has endured....
Three things confront you in daily life in Ukraine, from conversations to projects to state government. First is the complicated drag of the Soviet legacy; second, the irreversible integration into the modern, globalized world; third, the deep quest for spirituality. So, let's buy a house, open a centre for refugees, and give an eight-day retreat to see how these aspects play out....
