Since the beginning of the war, this is not the first prayer for Ukraine in the main cathedral of New York. On February 18, they once again gathered here for a prayer to honor the fallen Ukrainians in the war of conquest, which Russia officially launched a year ago against Ukraine. We prayed for victory over the aggressor and for peace.
The ecumenical prayer was initiated by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of the UGCC of Philadelphia. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, who introduced the participants of the prayer, said this in his opening remarks. Among them are Roman Catholic Bishops of America, Orthodox hierarchs and Protestant pastors.
The prayer was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic clergy: eparch of the Stanford UGCC Bishop Pavel Khomnytsky, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States Anthony (Shcherba) and Archbishop of the UOC of the United States Daniel (Zelinsky).
The Liturgy was attended by soldiers who are undergoing rehabilitation in the United States after serious injuries. As well as Consul General of Ukraine in New York Oleksiy Golubov and Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Khrystyna Haiovyshyn.
Metropolitan Anthony of the UOC-USA stressed that the entire international community supports Ukrainians who are dying for their land today: "this war has caused millions of refugees who are received by neighboring countries with love in the name of Christ. Today's prayer makes us, the powerless, strong, because we all pray together to turn this terrible disaster away from Ukraine. Prayer gives us strength and inspires Ukrainians to fight, because only together can we overcome that terrible disaster."
Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, in his speech spoke about the suffering of the people of Ukraine, who became an innocent victim of Russian aggressors. The hierarch spoke about the horrors that are currently taking place on the front line, in particular in Bakhmut. There today, Ukrainians defend their dignity and right to exist. According to the Metropolitan, there are many wars in the world, but now attention is focused on the war in Ukraine, where the line between good and evil, between truth and lies runs. That is why it is so important to pray together to overcome this evil.
"We are here to ask God to stop the aggressor. We are here to pray that the suffering of the innocent will stop, that they will be replaced by peace and joy. Ukrainians are grateful to the people of America for their support. We thank everyone who prays with us. May the Lord's blessing descend on our defenders. May the Lord heal all the wounded and wounded. Let him hug all the refugees. May the Lord turn away the adversaries and give wisdom and courage to the leaders to do his will. May the name of the Lord be glorified," Bishop Borys concluded his speech during the ecumenical prayer.
Photos from Facebook page of the UGCC Archdiocese of Philadelphia.