Prayer of Remembrance on Memorial Day: Parish Communities Honor the Fallen

On Memorial Day, many parishes throughout our Archeparchy gathered in prayerful gratitude to remember those who gave their lives for peace, justice, and freedom. Panakhydas, commemorative ceremonies, and shared prayers became a living testimony to the truth that heroes never die as long as their memory lives on.

At the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the faithful joined Rev. Ivan Turyk in prayer for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for others. The Panakhyda concluded with heartfelt expressions of gratitude and the singing of Vichnaya Pamyat (“Eternal Memory”).

At St. Mary’s Parish in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, parishioners gathered at the cemetery with Rev. Oleh Kuts to pray for their departed loved ones and friends. Their sincere prayer echoed deep gratitude for the example of faithfulness, sacrifice, and love.

At Holy Ghost Church in West Easton, Pennsylvania, parishioners gathered with Rev. Andrii Rubel for a Panakhyda in memory of those who gave their lives in defense of peace. That same day, the parish also participated in the town’s Memorial Day ceremony. A particularly moving moment was the dedication of the Broken Column Fountain, a powerful symbol of lives cut short in the struggle for freedom. Rev. Andrii offered a prayer for the fallen, surrounded by veterans, local officials, and townspeople in a spirit of reverence and unity.

In Hillside, New Jersey, members of the Scouts BSA from the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church honored fallen soldiers in a profoundly touching way: on Saturday, May 24, they placed American flags on the graves of the fallen, offering a military salute at each site as a sign of profound respect for their sacrifice.