Reverend delivers message of hope, peace

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This article was published 25/04/2022 (1279 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Amid a relentless windstorm raging outside, dozens of Ukrainian families gathered together to seek comfort for a short time at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church for a Sunday morning Ukrainian Easter service.

Inside the walls of the near century-old building, more than 100 people from the community listened to the words of Rev. Melvin Slashinsky as church members filled every seat and pew available. As the service began, only standing room became available as additional families filled the front entrance to the church.

In what he described as unprecedented times to celebrate Easter for Ukrainians not seen since the country sought and achieved independence in 1991, Slashinsky delivered a message of hope to everyone who attended.

He prayed for peace for loved ones caught in the violence between the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has taken the lives of thousands of civilians and displaced even more.

The feeling in the room encapsulated a mixture of emotion from sombreness and tears shed amongst concerned families, to a stillness in the air as people listened to every word Slashinsky had to say, in both Ukrainian and English. Candlelight danced around the hall as the church was decorated in light and some Ukrainian Easter décor.

Up the stairs, booming voices could be overheard as choir members of the Orthodox Church filled the space with a rich tone and volume giving life to the building during the holiday season that has been overshadowed by war and conflict. Halfway through the service, a choir member rang the bells of the church to signify their presence in the community.

Overseas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians to not let anger at the war overwhelm them during the holidays as the war continues in the eastern regions of his country.

“All of us believe our sunrise will come soon,” Zelenskyy said.

The deputy commander of the nationalist Azov Regiment which has been battling against separatists in the Donbas region since 2014 recorded a video address scrutinizing the Russians for failing to observe the holy day.

“The enemy continues to drop air bombs, ship artillery fires, guns are fired,” Capt. Sviatoslav Palamar said.

In Mariupol, where 100,000 civilians remain, Igor Zhovkva, a top adviser to Zelenskyy, said the southern city has been nearly wiped out. He said the weapons delivered to Ukraine are what they need to fight the Russian army, but pleaded with NATO to impose a no-fly zone over the country.

“We also need anti-missile systems and anti-aircraft systems because daily and nightly Ukraine cities are bombarded by the cruise missiles,” Zhovkva said.

Elsewhere, top officials from the Biden administration were set to meet with President Zelenskyy on Sunday in the highest-ranking visit to Ukraine by a United States delegation since Russia began the invasion.

Speaking at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis lamented the barbarity of the war that has carried on for two months.

“It is sad that these days, which are the holiest and most solemn for all Christians, we hear the deadly noise of weapons rather than the sound of bells announcing the Resurrection,” Francis said.

“It is sad that arms are taking the place of words.”

Following the service, several families took their traditional Easter baskets with paska (bread) and Easter eggs down the street to be blessed by Slashinsky at the Ukrainian National Hall.

Although the conflict continues overseas, it was clear to see the impact the words of the reverend left to those in attendance as families dispersed to enjoy the rest of the Easter holiday.

» jbernacki@brandonsun.com, with files from The Associated Press

» Twitter: @JosephBernacki