Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Standing with Ukraine in actions and prayers
One year: Dignitaries speak at Manor College event marking anniversary of fight against Russia
Approaching the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, dignitaries across Montgomery County gathered Thursday to mark that moment and commit to standing strong.
“Almost a year ago, the world’s leaders gave Ukraine only three days to survive. But today Ukraine stays alive, stays stronger and Ukrainian people stay together,” said Iryna Mazur, the honorary consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia.
Despite the grim events taking place more than 5,000 miles away, the resolve of people in Montgomery County and across the greater Philadelphia area has not wavered. Thursday’s ceremony demonstrated that.
“It is our duty to stand in solidarity with our neighbors and promote the values of democracy, freedom and human rights,” said state Rep. Ben Sanchez, D-153rd. Dist., who joined the day’s proceedings by Zoom from Harrisburg.
The morning event at Manor College in Jenkintown began with the act of baking bread. The traditional Ukrainian delicacy, palianytsia, was made by Mazur, U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th Dist., Manor College President Jonathan Peri, and Manor College alumnae Marta and Vera Penkalskyj.
“Today’s ceremony of baking the bread was extremely meaningful because when Ukraine’s fields of grain were burned by the Russian missiles, Ukraine did not stop supplying the world with the grain,” Mazur said.
A full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022.
Dean described the past 12 months as a “year of inhumanity” as the war rages on.
“Children have been slaughtered; innocents have been slaughtered; women have been raped; people have been tortured; children have been taken, and taken into Russia, in custody for the so-called reforming of their thoughts, and their beliefs,” Dean said.
Manor College’s connection
Founded in 1947 by the Ukrainian Sisters of Saint Basil the Great, Manor College has maintained its strong ties to Ukraine, highlighting traditions in its Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center and Museum inside Josephat Hall on the Fox Chase Road campus.
The college has launched a series of outreach and fundraising campaigns geared toward providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The school also conferred an honorary degree on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Today, the just response is a resistance that support’s Ukraine’s right to sovereignty, and to independence. The right response is always with the oppressed and never with the oppressor,” Peri said.
Eugene Luciw, a member of Manor College’s board of trustees, said the area’s Ukrainian community — approximately 70,000 Ukrainians residing throughout the Delaware Valley region — has been confronted with a “spectrum of emotion” ranging from anxiety and fear to anger and outrage.
“One day you could be crying about what’s going on. The other day you’re crying tears of pride in what your people are doing,” Luciw told MediaNews Group.
Luciw also serves as president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America’s Philadelphia branch, director of external relations with the Ukrainian American Sports Center in Horsham and organizer of the Ukrainian Folk Festival.
The event returned in-person in July as more than 3,000 people turned up in solidarity with Ukraine. He implored people “do not forget Ukraine.” In July, he said “we delivered that message.”
“I’m proud of my heritage,” Luciw said. “I’m proud of what my people have shown, and I’m so happy that people recognize us, and are able to celebrate our culture with us, and the festival was a great example of that.”
War refugees seek refuge
More than 15,000 Ukrainian nationals fled the war in Eastern Europe and sought refuge across the greater Philadelphia area. Mazur said she was touched how “Pennsylvanians (have) opened their hearts to Ukrainians.”
Sanchez maintained that “we’re still standing our ground” as he reflected on the events of the past year.
“As a country and as a commonwealth, we stand with Ukraine in its struggle for peace, democracy and freedom, and we will continue to support its efforts to build a better future for all of its citizens,” Sanchez said.
Dean agreed. “I have to tell you though I am lifted by this community,” she said, emphasizing the “extraordinary humanity that is … Pennsylvania’s Ukrainian population.”
Dean touted the $30 billion allocated at the federal level for economic, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. She and many others present commended President Joe Biden’s efforts, highlighting his tour of the war torn country earlier in the week.
“We must continue that. That’s not enough as President Zelenskyy has told us,” she said. “We need more, and I am here to tell you that I am committed to more, and I know this administration is committed to more — as you saw the president announce another half-abillion-dollars in his recent visit.”
Her words met with applause. Dean was overcome with emotion as she told attendees how “I’ve never been prouder of President Biden” of his efforts visiting the Eastern European country.
Gratitude for U.S. support
“From the bottom of my heart on behalf of every Ukrainian child, every Ukrainian mother and father, every Ukrainian soldier, I would like to thank the American people, the American government, the American president Biden,” Mazur said.
Mazur teared up at times during her speech on Thursday.
“I promise you that once you visit Ukraine, you will always return there, and Ukrainians will always welcome you with open heart,” Mazur said.
“We must surround Ukraine with love and ammunitions necessary for a speedier end to this war. I pray for it in the next six months or so, no longer if we have our way,” Dean said.
Dean called for a moment of silence. A short time after the remarks wrapped up, Manor College held a prayer service in observation of the 365th day of the full-scale invasion by Russia into Ukraine.
Other events in Montgomery County, Philadelphia and the nation’s capitol are slated to take place over the weekend. Visit ueccphila.org for more information.
Locally, a candlelight vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the Ukraine Educational Cultural Center, 700 N. Cedar Road, Jenkintown.
“When that anniversary hits, the first thing that … we will pray,” Luciw said. “We will pray for those that have died in the conflict. We will pray for those who have been crippled, maimed, affected, who are homeless, who are freezing today because the infrastructure is being destroyed, who have no electricity, have limited food.”
He stressed that after those prayers would come continued appeal for advocacy efforts. A large local contingent is expected to attend a rally on Saturday in Washington D.C.
“God bless America and Slava Ukraini,” Mazur said, a sentiment which translates to “Glory to Ukraine.”