On the evening of Tuesday, February 25, the sacred walls of Saint Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, Pennsylvania, echoed with the voices of nearly 200 faithful souls, united in prayer, remembrance, and hope. The occasion marked the third anniversary of the genocidal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation - a tragedy that continues to claim lives and shatter families, simply because a nation chose the path of freedom.

The Ukrainian-American community of Lehigh Valley, joined by representatives of the Ukrainian Women’s League, Ukrainian-American veterans, community leaders, and members of the greater American community, came together in solemn reflection and unshakable resolve. This ecumenical prayer service became a powerful witness to faith in action - a gathering not only of remembrance but also of commitment to justice, freedom, and the defense of human dignity.

Presiding over the prayer service was His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, President of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, whose presence brought both spiritual strength and national pride. Accompanied by Rev. Fr. Richard Jendras, who warmly welcomed the hierarch and attendees, Archbishop Daniel led the intercessory prayers for the people and nation of Ukraine.

The evening held deep spiritual significance as three wounded Ukrainian soldiers, currently undergoing rehabilitation in the United States through the Revived Soldiers Ukraine program, stood among the faithful. Each bore the visible scars of war - prosthetic arms and legs - yet their spirits remained unbroken. Their presence reminded all gathered that freedom demands sacrifice, and Ukraine’s fight for liberty is fought not in distant lands, but in the hearts and souls of its people.

In his sermon, Archbishop Daniel reflected on the shared history of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Ukraine’s struggle for freedom:

"We stand today in Allentown—a city that once protected the Liberty Bell, the very symbol of American independence. That bell, hidden from oppressors during the American Revolution, rang again for freedom. Today, Ukraine defends freedom’s bell for the entire world. If tyranny wins in Ukraine, it will not stop there. It will spread. We must stand together—Ukrainians, Americans, and all people who cherish liberty."

His words echoed with spiritual clarity and moral conviction: "Three years of pain. Three years of destruction. Three years of lives lost, families shattered, and a sovereign nation brutalized—simply for choosing to live free. As people of God, we stand united in prayer. But prayer alone is not enough. God calls us not only to pray but to act. We are His children, called to stand up for justice, to protect the innocent, and to fight for those who cannot speak for themselves."

Archbishop Daniel’s message was clear: "We cannot make deals with evil. We must not compromise with aggression. Ukraine defends not only its own freedom but the front lines of liberty for the entire world."

He concluded with a powerful blessing: "May God bless Ukraine. May God bless the United States of America. And may God bless all who stand for justice, freedom, and peace. Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava!"

The service also included heartfelt reflections from former Congresswoman Susan Wild of the Lehigh Valley, who was present among the faithful. In her brief but stirring remarks, she spoke of Ukraine’s courage and the responsibility of the free world to stand united: "The people of Ukraine are fighting for the same principles upon which this nation was founded - liberty, justice, and self-determination. Their struggle is our struggle. Their hope is our hope."

Additionally, written statements from elected officials of both Democratic and Republican parties were shared, expressing bipartisan support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom. Their words affirmed America’s enduring partnership with Ukraine and a shared belief that freedom, once won, must always be defended.

The most moving moment of the evening came when the three wounded Ukrainian soldiers were recognized. These brave defenders, undergoing rehabilitation and learning to live with prosthetic limbs, stood as living testimonies of sacrifice and resilience. Their silent presence spoke louder than any words—a profound reminder that freedom’s price is high, but its value immeasurable.

Archbishop Daniel, addressing the soldiers directly, said: "You are Ukraine’s living heroes. Your bodies may bear the wounds of war, but your spirits carry the strength of a nation. You remind us all that freedom is never free—it is earned, defended, and cherished by the brave."

The prayer service concluded with a resounding chorus of: "Slava Ukraini!" (Glory to Ukraine!) "Heroyam Slava!" (Glory to the Heroes!)

As candles flickered and prayers ascended, the message of the evening was clear: Ukraine will endure! Ukraine will rise! Ukraine will be free!

Prayer Service Commemorating the Third Anniversary of the Unjustified, Genocidal Invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation
Saint Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, dear friends, fellow Ukrainians, and Americans who stand with Ukraine,

We gather here today, in this sacred house of God - Saint Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral - with heavy hearts but unbroken spirits.

We stand here in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a place rich in the history of American struggle, freedom, and resilience. The Lehigh Valley, where Allentown proudly stands, holds a special place in the story of American liberty.

Here, during the American Revolution, when the fires of freedom were threatened by tyranny, the Liberty Bell - the very symbol of America’s independence - was hidden in a church in Allentown to keep it from falling into the hands of oppressors.

The Liberty Bell, with its proud inscription, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof," was protected so that one day it would ring again for freedom.

Today, we hear the echo of that same bell calling for liberty in another land - in Ukraine. The struggle that once defined America’s birth now defines Ukraine’s survival. The defense of freedom that rang through these hills and valleys now echoes in the plains of Ukraine.

We are here to mark the third anniversary of the genocidal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.

Three years of pain. Three years of destruction. Three years of lives lost, families shattered, and a sovereign nation brutalized - simply for choosing to live free.

As people of God, we stand united in prayer. We bow our heads, seeking the protection of the Almighty for the people of Ukraine. We lift our hearts, praying for peace - but not just any peace - a just peace.

Because we know that prayer alone is not enough. God calls us not only to pray but to act.
We are His children, called to stand up for justice, to protect the innocent, to fight for the rights of those who have no voice - those who cannot act because oppression has bound their hands and stolen their homes.

Ukraine can no longer suffer. This cannot continue. We cannot make deals with evil.
We must not compromise with aggression.

And so, today, from this holy place in Allentown - a place where freedom was once guarded for this nation - we send a message to the world:

Ukraine did not choose this war. Ukraine was attacked.

Ukraine did not violate borders. Ukraine defended its own.

Ukraine did not destroy lives. Ukraine defends the right to life.

The actions of the political and military leaders of the Russian Federation have violated Ukraine - its land, its resources, its people. And so we say:

We must reconsider the language we use so that we do not betray the very principles of democracy, freedom, and justice that we claim to uphold.

Let us remember: Democracy is not only a political system - it is a moral commitment to stand against tyranny.

It is a divine gift - God-given - to uphold peace, justice, equality, love, and compassion for the world in which we live.

And so today, in this new political reality, we call upon the leaders of the world, especially here in the United States of America:

Just as the Liberty Bell was hidden here in Allentown to protect the hope of freedom for America, today Ukraine defends freedom’s bell for the entire world. If we allow aggression to win there, it will spread.

Justice demands action.   Peace demands courage.    Freedom demands sacrifice.

Let us stand together - Ukrainians and Americans, people of every nation who cherish liberty and proclaim: Ukraine will endure. Ukraine will rise. Ukraine will be free.

And the bells of liberty will ring in Kyiv, in Lviv, in Kherson, in Mariupol, in Donetsk, and in Crimea - loud and clear, proclaiming liberty throughout the land, unto all its inhabitants.

Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava!