“There Is No Greater Love…” — A Memorial for Robert “Bobby” Edward Pietrangelo

The prayer service, joined by clergy of other Christian denominations, was led by Metropolitan and Archbishop of Philadelphia Borys Gudziak, who was joined by priests Mykola Ivanov and Roman Oliinyk, and Deacon Ihor Demydas. A common prayer — a sign of unity in the face of heroic death.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick was present at the farewell. He thanked the mother of the fallen soldier for raising her son and presented her with an American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol in Bobby’s honor.

In his remarks, Metropolitan Borys reflected on the meaning of the family name of the fallen:

“Pietrangelo — a name that combines strength and tenderness. In Italian, pietra means stone, angelo means angel. Bobby was exactly that: gentle, radiant, angelic in his gaze and attitude toward people. But at the same time — firm, determined like stone when it came to defending what is good.”

The Metropolitan also emphasized the deeper meaning of our prayer:

“When we sing ‘Vichnaya Pamiat’ (Eternal Memory), we are not just remembering. We believe that God remembers. And God’s memory is presence. It is life in God. It is eternity.”

“The prayer for Bobby is also a prayer for us — that we may not squander his gift. That we may remember freedom is a spiritual truth. And he gave his life for it,” concluded Metropolitan Borys.