GOD IS WITH US! CHRIST IS AMONGST US! HE IS AND ALWAYS SHALL BE!

(UOCUSA) These ancient Christian greetings are so necessary for us all to embrace in hope and love, with a sense of deep concern and an unfathomable desire for peace, as the world watches the news reports from Ukraine and around the world concerning yet another threat from Russian leadership. 

The scare and intimidation tactics with the presence of the armed vehicles and over a hundred thousand of soldiers around the borders of Ukraine combined with systematic cyber attacks at all levels of life in Ukraine can only be interpreted as terroristic threats that target innocent lives of Ukrainian citizens.  They seem to be instigated by an extremely low sense of self-esteem among the leadership of what has become the aggressor nation of modern times – which creates a very dangerous set of circumstances. 

Ukraine – the geographic reality – with its own sovereign borders has always been coveted by neighbors from anywhere beyond those borders because of the expanse of her natural resources, especially the incredibly rich black soil, which earned her the name “the Breadbasket of Europe”, which produced the abundance of wheat that was shared with the world. It was and is this land that so many other countries have attempted to annex, dominate, subordinate and benefit from not only in modern history, but throughout the early Kyivan-Rus’ history. 

It is no secret that Russia, under the guise of the “Soviet Union” wanted not only the rich natural resources, but just as importantly, a buffer zone between itself and the rest of the Western world. Further, Ukraine, as a blossoming democracy inspires surrounding nations. Therein lies the key to comprehending modern Russian and other earlier invasions.  In seeking to control the land, the resources and the political system, hardly a thought has ever been given to the real people who live in that land.  These people are the “nation” of Ukraine, and that nation possesses a self-identity that is impossible to annihilate. 

Through centuries of invasions the “nation” was unimportant to the invaders.  Thus, the “nation” bore the loss of millions and millions of victims to genocide, most atrociously under the former Soviet Union and its Holodomor.  Throughout all this history of terror, the self-identity of the “nation” survived – in the hearts, minds and souls of the people. It is with the people that we are desperately concerned as we write these words.  It is for the them, our brothers and sisters, that we ask you to join is in prayer

We must beseech God in the Holy Trinity to protect her people from the horrors that far too many of their ancestors knew and perished from.  We direct all our clergy to offer the following prayer during the Litany of Fervent Supplication of each Divine Liturgy.  Further, we ask you all to make this prayer part of your daily prayers in your home chapels.  May God hear our loving petition and soften the hearts and minds of all, within and without Ukraine during these dangerous times.

With prayers,

+Antony, Metropolitan

+Daniel, Archbishop

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Let us pray to the Lord!

LORD OUR GOD, GREAT AND ALMIGHTY, WE YOUR SINFUL CHILDREN TURN TO YOU WITH HUMILITY IN OUR HEARTS AND BOW OUR HEADS LOW BEFORE YOU.  WE BESEECH YOUR LOVING KINDNESS AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS UPON THE NATION – THE PEOPLE – OF UKRAINE DURING THESE DAYS OF GREAT DANGER TO THEIR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING.

OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, LORD, ARE ONCE AGAIN THREATENED BY AGGRESSORS WHO SEE THEM ONLY AS OBSTACLES BLOCKING THE PATH TO THE COMPLETE DOMINATION OF THE PRECIOUS LAND AND RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY OF UKRAINE.  STRENGTHEN THE PEOPLE AS THEY FACE THIS GREAT DANGER, TURNING TO YOU IN THE IMMEASURABLY DEEP FAITH, TRUST AND LOVE THEY HAVE PLACED IN YOU ALL THEIR LIVES.  SEND YOUR HEAVENLY LEGIONS, O LORD, COMMANDED BY THE PATRON OF KYIV, ARCHANGEL MICHAEL, TO CRUSH THE DESIRES OF THE AGGRESSOR WHOSE DESIRE IS TO ERADICATE OUR PEOPLE.

GRANT UNITY OF MIND, HEART AND SOUL, O LORD TO ALL LEADERS IN PUBLIC SERVICE WITH THOSE THEY SERVE.  UNITE THEM ALL INTO ONE, GREAT CHRISTIAN FAMILY, SO THAT TOGETHER, AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THEY MAY GLORIFY YOUR MAJESTIC NAME – GOD IN THE HOLY TRINITY – FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.  AMEN!

Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

GLORY BE TO OUR LORD!

(UOCUSA) As the news agencies around the world have informed, the situation in Ukraine has become worse, almost beyond comprehension – the invasion of Russian Federation of Independent Ukraine.

It appears that the lessons of history have not been learned and the murder of the citizenry and destruction of Ukrainian land are utilized to advance geopolitical agenda of the Russian Federation.

In the past we have urged our faithful, if they have a desire to do so, to contribute funds in support of our charitable aid efforts. However, as the nation of Ukraine defends itself against aggression – we are issuing this urgent appeal for contributions, which will be delivered in person to the proper individuals, for the medical care of the thousands of people who have been injured, some very severely, during these difficult days. Your contribution may be the primary reason that another human being receives the treatment necessary for survival.

We must stress that time is of the essence. Our goal is to get these contributions into the hands of those who need them as soon as we can! The most expedient method for making such donations for this cause would be to utilize our secure online donation link.

Contributions may be also sent by special postal delivery to the Consistory at P. O. Box, 495, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880 or they may be hand delivered to the Consistory office at 135 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873, marked “LET’S HELP UKRAINE”.

We must make it clear that we are making this appeal not out of any political point of view, but rather, out of our stated concern for the dignity and sanctity of human life. If it is in your heart to respond to this appeal, please do not delay.

We pray for our Lord’s blessings upon the Ukrainian people and their nation.

In His all-encompassing Love,

• +ANTONY, Metropolitan
• +DANIEL, Bishop

Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Sent Letter of Support

to the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine: 

Human Dignity and Freedom Must be Preserved in Ukraine

His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine

Your Beatitude, 

(UOCUSA) As hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora, we address you with the sentiments of profound prayerful support, as the nation – people of Ukraine face the actions of aggression of the Russian Federation.  The clergy and faithful of the UOC of the USA and Diaspora are truly united in spirit of prayer and action with our brethren in Ukraine and Ukrainians throughout the world.

The events of the last eight years that have led to the irresponsible behavior of political leaders of Russian Federation in the past few days have finally awoken the world-wide community to the crimes against the civilized society that politicians of Russian government have taken.

Throughout Ukraine’s history, millions of people have given their lives for freedom, dignity and human rights, in order to claim the right to peace and stability as any other nation enjoys in the world. The voice of the peace-loving people of Ukraine must be heard and respected and it cannot be silenced by the noise of ammunition and actions of those in political and spiritual leadership positions who choose to confuse and abuse by utilizing violence – war, against the people of Ukraine. 

The faithful of our Church in the USA and Diaspora are from the various parts of Ukraine. We all have family members and friends living in the East and West, North and South of Ukraine, and thus we are profoundly concerned for the wellbeing, stability, and security of the people of Ukraine that are threatened by the reports of the planned persecution and the crimes against humanity in Donbas region of Ukraine.

We join Your Beatitude, clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in prayer for the peace in the ancestral homeland for so many of Ukrainian Christians in the United States of America and throughout the globe. We are standing with you and offer our assistance in the battle against the war crimes against the people of Ukraine. No physical force will ever succeed in eliminating the free will and the voice of the citizenry!

Embracing the gift of freedom with you, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and throughout the world, and in the hope of moving forward, rather than backward in history, we beseech with awe and thanksgiving the Father of lights and every perfect gift, the Son of righteousness and the Spirit of truth to descend upon us all, embrace us, guiding and perfecting our every deed.

+Antony, Metropolitan

+Jeremiah, Archbishop

+Daniel, Archbishop

Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops

Saturday, February 26, 2022

(AOB) The recent geopolitical developments and aggression against Ukraine will inevitably bring suffering and death on innocent children, women and men of the country, who are – so many of them – our brothers and sisters in the Orthodox Christian faith.

As the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA, we earnestly and urgently lift up our prayers for all the people of Ukraine, imploring God that peace and justice may be restored in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel reflected in the words of Saint Paul: “For Christ is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:14)

As we prepare ourselves to enter the prayerful time of Holy and Great Lent, a time of humility and repentance, we fervently and sincerely urge a change of heart, calling upon all parties and all people to refrain from further aggression, withdraw of all weapons and troops from sovereign lands, and instead to pursue de-escalation and the restoration of peace through dialogue and mutual respect.