Archbishop Stefan Soroka discusses Ukraine during Sts. Peter and Paul's 90th Anniversary celebration
Archbishop Stefan Soroka, the archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, visited Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bridgeport on Palm Sunday to help parishioners celebrate the church’s 90th anniversary.
Soroka celebrated the 9 a.m. Willow Sunday mass, so-called in the Ukraine because palm branches are scarce and replaced by cutting pussy willow branches for the feast day. The archbishop called upon hundreds of community members to remember how the founders of Sts. Peter and Paul, back in 1924, overcame the difficulties of establishing the church by removing the barriers in their way.
He likened the founders’ efforts to “defy the naysayers” to the gospel story of Jesus’ disciples removing the stone in front of his tomb.
“What was the pivotal moment for the founders of this church?” Soroka asked parishioners. “It was when they removed the barriers to establishing their faith.”
The community continued the celebration with a 90th anniversary breakfast celebration, where parish children performed traditional Ukrainian dances and put on a play detailing the gospel story of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem.
Though Soroka said he was overjoyed at the celebration in Bridgeport, he said it pained him to think of members of the international Ukrainian community that are still facing barriers to their religious freedom.
Soroka, who sat next to Peter and Paul’s pastor Monsignor Ronald Popivchak during the breakfast ceremony, spoke about the recent turmoil in the Ukraine in between shaking hands with and offering congratulations to various figures involved in the larger Bridgeport community.
“The Ukrainian people have been celebrating individual freedom since 1991 and all of the sudden they’re taking steps backward, just like that,” Soroka said about Russian activity in Crimea and at the borders of eastern Ukraine. “It’s people that want to be free and determine their own lives for themselves.
“I pray that the Russians themselves will stand up to Putin’s dictatorship. I’m sure they don’t want to be seen as these evil people. Then they will help the Ukrainians determine their future.”
Soroka said, despite the harm done to those seeking freedom, he is glad that the international community has “woken up” to what he called the true nature of Russia demonstrated in the latest military developments.
“My hope is these people in the Ukraine and Crimea see the insincerity of Putin’s words,” Soroka said. “We urge western leaders to not compromise and continue to put pressure on Russian leaders. We pray there won’t be war that will hurt more people.”
For Soroka, the strength of the Sts. Peter and Paul community, reinforcing bonds over the course of 90 years, reflects the commitment Ukrainians have to their families, which he said is why Ukrainians stood up for their independence in the first place. According to Soroka, the church here in America has been sending funds for medical aid for those that were injured in Kiev when they protested for their freedom.
“I admire how they stay there and fight for their nation,” Soroka said.
For more information on Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church visit, www.sspeterpaulukrchurch.us.
For more information on the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, visit www.ukrarcheparchy.us.
Brendan Wills
