"Let us pray that the United States of America may continue to serve as a beacon of hope and freedom for people throughout the world", - Bishops of UOC of the USA

Archpastoral Letter of the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA On the Occasion of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America

July 4, 2026

Beloved Clergy, Monastics, Seminarians, Faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA: Christ is Among Us!

As the people of the United States of America commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of our nation, we, the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, join our fellow citizens in offering heartfelt thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings bestowed upon this land throughout two and a half centuries of history.

This anniversary invites us to reflect not only upon the remarkable achievements of the American people but also upon the enduring principles that have guided this nation from its earliest days. The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, boldly proclaimed that all people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These words, inspired by a profound understanding of human dignity and divine providence, have echoed throughout generations and have inspired countless people around the world who seek freedom, justice, and peace.

The history of the United States is a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and faith. It is a story written by courageous men and women who believed that liberty carries responsibility and that freedom must be safeguarded by virtue. George Washington reminded the nation that “religion and morality are indispensable supports” of political prosperity. John Adams observed that the Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. Abraham Lincoln, in one of the darkest moments of our national history, called upon Americans to remember that this nation was “under God” and dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal.

These truths remain as relevant today as they were in the founding era. The strength of America has never rested solely upon military power, economic success, or technological achievement. Rather, it has been sustained by the moral character of its people, the vitality of its communities, and the conviction that freedom flourishes only when rooted in virtue, responsibility, and respect for the dignity of every human person.

As Orthodox Christians, we recognize that authentic freedom is not merely the absence of restraint but the ability to choose what is good, true, and holy. The Holy Apostle Paul reminds us: “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Our democratic institutions are strengthened when citizens live lives marked by integrity, compassion, self-sacrifice, and respect for one another.

As we celebrate this historic milestone, we must also confront the challenges of our own time. We live in an age marked by polarization, social division, violence, disregard for human life, attacks upon the sanctity of marriage and family, and growing indifference toward faith and spiritual values. The future strength of our nation will depend not merely upon legislation or policy but upon the moral renewal of its people. Each generation bears the sacred responsibility of preserving the principles entrusted to us by those who came before.

Therefore, while we rightly honor the accomplishments of the past, we must not become prisoners of nostalgia. The founders of our nation did not labor and sacrifice so that future generations would simply admire their achievements. Rather, they entrusted us with the responsibility of carrying forward the ideals of liberty, justice, equality, and civic virtue. We honor their legacy best when we remain faithful to those principles and pass them on to our children and grandchildren.

For the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, this anniversary carries a particularly profound meaning. For more than a century, generations of Ukrainian immigrants and their descendants have found refuge, opportunity, and freedom upon these shores. Here they built churches, established communities, preserved their faith, and contributed immeasurably to the life of the American nation.

We are especially grateful to the United States of America for its leadership among the nations of the world and for its steadfast support of the people of Ukraine during one of the darkest periods in modern history. As Ukraine continues to endure the horrors of war, the destruction of communities, and the suffering of innocent people, the assistance provided by the American people has become a powerful witness to the values of justice, compassion, and solidarity.

The faithful of our Church, many of whom maintain deep ties to their ancestral homeland, offer heartfelt gratitude to the government and citizens of the United States for standing with the people of Ukraine in their struggle against aggression and evil. We pray that God will continue to bless all efforts that seek to restore peace, safeguard human dignity, defend freedom, and establish a just and lasting stability for the people of Ukraine and for all nations suffering from conflict.

At the same time, we recognize that the future of America and the future of the world depend upon our commitment to peace. Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the presence of justice, reconciliation, and mutual respect. As followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we are called to become peacemakers in our homes, communities, workplaces, and nation. The work of building peace begins with the transformation of the human heart through faith, repentance, and love.

As we enter the next chapter of our national history, let us pray that the United States of America may continue to serve as a beacon of hope and freedom for people throughout the world. May this nation remain faithful to its highest ideals and continue to demonstrate that democracy, human dignity, religious liberty, and respect for the rule of law are blessings worthy of preservation and protection.

We call upon the faithful of our Church and all citizens of goodwill to renew their commitment to public service, civic responsibility, and Christian witness. Let us be grateful for the sacrifices of our veterans, first responders, public servants, and all who labor for the common good. Let us strengthen our families, support our communities, care for the vulnerable, and teach future generations the values that have sustained both our nation and our faith.

With gratitude to Almighty God for the blessings of the past, with confidence in His providence for the future, and with unwavering hope in the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we offer our prayers for the United States of America on this historic 250th Anniversary.

May God bless America! May God grant peace, wisdom, and righteousness to the leaders of all nations. And may the Lord guide us to remain faithful stewards of the freedoms and responsibilities entrusted to us.

Invoking upon all of you the abundant blessings of Almighty God, we remain,

With Archpastoral Love in Christ,

† Metropolitan Antony
Prime Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

† Archbishop Daniel
President of the Consistory and Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA