On Tuesday, March 4, clergy from the Archeparchy joined hundreds gathered at Philadelphia City Hall to show support for Ukraine.
Archbishop Borys Gudziak addressed the crowd of Ukrainians and Americans, speaking about the meaning of a just peace for Ukrainians who endure daily attacks from Russian rockets and drones. He also highlighted the dire state of religious freedom in occupied territories, particularly the ban on the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The Archbishop reminded the crowd that each time Russians occupy Ukrainian land, they attempt to erase the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
“We are all gathered to defend God-given freedom and dignity,” he declared. “May the peace and joy of our communion give us wings to fly!”
Pastor Roman Kapran from Slavic Church/Mission in Delaware shared his personal experience of living under the Soviet regime, where propaganda and lies shaped everyday life.
The rally concluded with a powerful, united singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.