Given the present tensions between Russia and Ukraine, we would like to bring to light a series of apparitions of Our Lady that took place in Ukraine over 350 years ago, again in 1914, and more recently in 1987. The prophetic words of Our Blessed Mother seem to give a great relevance to the situation we are presently witnessing and are, at the same time, a strong critical call for us to not only pay attention, but to pray, praying in particular the Rosary as Our Lady asks. — Anne Marie Jacques
In 1914, on the 12th of May, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to 22 people who were working in the fields close to the local church of the Holy Trinity in Hrushiv, Ukraine. This was only two weeks before the beginning of World War II. These were Our Lady's words to the 22 witnesses on that day.
"There will be a war. Russia will become a godless country. Ukraine, as a nation, will suffer terribly for 80 years – and will have to live through the world wars, but it will be free afterwards."
Our Lady's prediction was extremely close, for Ukraine had its declaration of independence ratified in Kiev on August 24, 1991, some 77 years after Blessed Mary's prediction in 1914!
On his program, Mary Live, Dr. Mark Miravalle pointed out that this appearance of Mary in Hushriv would appear to happen "in anticipation of the Fatima apparitions where Our Lady gave a message with a very similar concept, a prediction of Russia becoming godless and spreading her errors throughout the world." She came to Hushriv on May 12, 1914 and then to Fatima on May 13, 1917 with the same fundamental message.
This was not the first time that the Blessed Mother came to the people of Hrushiv. More than 350 years earlier the people of Hrushiv had planted a weeping willow tree at this very same site to commemorate another apparition of the Blessed Mother. A spring suddenly welled up from beneath that tree, and during the severe cholera epidemic of 1855, the Virgin instructed the residents to "clear and reclaim the ancient spring" and to have a Mass said at that spot. It was afterwards reported that from that day forward not a single resident died from cholera.
On April 26, 1987, 73 years after the apparition of 1914, and exactly one year after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster — the greatest nuclear disaster in human history that took place in northern Ukraine — a bright light described as an "impressive silver dazzle" covered the dome of the church of the Holy Trinity and the surrounding area. From within this light the Virgin Mary appeared, hovering above the cupola of the church and holding in her arms the Child Jesus.
A television crew present at the apparition were able to record part of this light phenomenon. Dr. Miravalle recounted, "In fact a Soviet supported media, with the direction of the KGB, were called in to make a mockery of this event. When they filmed the event, they saw no image, no light, no images of Our Lady. When that documentary, if you can call it that, was shown on live Soviet television, everyone saw Our Lady! Everyone saw the image of light and saw the image of the Woman with the Child in the light! Obviously, there were no reruns of that while the Soviet Union continued!"
This appearance of Our Lady was first seen by 12-year old Marina Kizyn, who immediately called her mother, and a few neighbors who also witnessed her appearance. The news spread and soon hundreds, and then thousands came from all over. The apparitions continued every day until August 15 of that year.
It was estimated that a total of 500,000 people had seen her by the time the apparitions ended with crowds reaching as many as 45,000 to 70,000 people in a single day. Though there were people of many different nations, speaking many languages, they all reported hearing Our Lady in their native tongues. Many others, hundreds of thousands, reported they heard the words of Our Lady, as though she spoke to them in their hearts — all of this happened over that period of about four months.
Priests came and offered Holy Mass in front of the church, sometimes up to 10 Holy Masses per day. These priests risked a great deal, as the Catholic Church had been underground for more than four decades under Soviet rule. It wasn't until December 1989, during Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's liberalization, that the Church was finally allowed to function officially again.
But neither the Soviet militia nor the KGB could manage the huge crowds that gathered daily, for even the KGB agents were said to have seen the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Our Lady gave a very important and urgent message for the world. But first she spoke with great love to the people of Ukraine:
"I have come on purpose to thank the Ukrainian people because you have suffered most for the Church of Christ in the last 70 years. I have come to comfort you and to tell you that your suffering will soon come to an end. Ukraine will become an independent state.
"Do not forget those who have died in the Chernobyl disaster. Chernobyl is a reminder and a sign for the whole world.
"Forgive your enemies. Through you and the blood of martyrs will come the conversion of Russia. Repent and love one another."
Then Our Lady gave this sobering message for the world:
"The times are coming which have been foretold as being those in the end times. See the desolation which surrounds the world, the sin, the sloth, the genocide. Pray for Russia. Oppression and wars continue to occupy the minds and hearts of many people. Russia, despite everything, continues to deny my Son. Russia rejects real life and continues to live in darkness. If there is not a return to Christianity in Russia, there will be a Third World War; the whole world will face ruin.
"Teach the children to pray. Teach them to live in truth, and live yourselves in truth. Say the Rosary. It is the weapon against Satan. He fears the Rosary. Recite the Rosary at any gathering of people.
"I have come to comfort you and to tell you that your suffering will end soon. I shall protect you for the glory and the future of God's kingdom on earth, which will last for a thousand years. The Kingdom of Heaven and Earth is close at hand. It will come only through penance and the repentance of sins.
"This wicked world is feasting on depravity and impurity. Many lies are proclaimed against the Truth. The innocent are condemned. Many come as false messiahs and false prophets. Be diligent. Be on your guard.
"Happy are they whose lives are blameless and who walk in fear of the Lord.
"My children, all of you are dear to me and please my heart. I make no distinction of race or religion. You here in Ukraine have received knowledge of the One, True, Apostolic Church. You have been shown the door to Heaven. You must follow this path, even though it may be painful.
"The Eternal God is calling you. This is why I have been sent to you. You in Ukraine were the first nation to be entrusted to me. Throughout your long persecution, you have not lost faith, hope, or love. I always pray for you, my dear children, wherever you are." (In fact, the ruler Yaroslav the Wise, dedicated Ukraine to the Most Holy Mother of God in the year 1037 — this was the first of all of Europe, and most likely of the whole world, to do so.)
Messages taken from: http://www.divinemysteries.info/our-lady-of-the-ukraine-hrushiv-ukraine-1914-and-1987/