Ninety years have passed since the tragic events of 1932-33.  The enemy has tried repeatedly to erase any memory of the horrors inflicted.  However, try as they might, they were not successful in deleting the horrors etched in the memories of mankind.

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Prime Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora, on December 3, 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA celebrated Divine Liturgy at the St. Andrew Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, NJ, with Very Rev. Yurij Siwko and Very Rev. Vasyl Pasakas.  Assisting him were Deacon Pavlo Vysotskyi and Deacon Roman Marchyshak.  Adding to the mystical experience were the angelic voices of the choir who under the directorship of Natalia Honcharenko sang the responses and hymns beautifully.

During his sermon, Archbishop Daniel asked that the faithful gathered before him pause for a moment and look around and realize that they are praying within the sacred walls of the very first memorial built to the eternal memories of those 10 million plus victims of the Holodomor.  The St. Andrew Memorial Church, completed in 1965 is built to symbolize a tall candle of remembrance, which burns with an eternal flame of not only commemoration, but, as a beacon of hope and the light of Christ.  His Eminence asked that everyone present focus their prayers on those souls who lost their lives to an agonizing death through starvation, that they pray fervently for their peaceful repose, so that those individuals should feel the warmth of their love, and know that their death did not go unnoticed, nor their lives forgotten.

Joining the parishioners in prayer this day was the organizer and president of a charitable foundation established over 20 years ago, which honors the memories of Ukrainians who died during the Holodomor.  The international project “Honoring the Memory of Outstanding Ukrainians in the World with Memorial Plaques and Memorial Signs” was founded in Poltava.  Ms. Valentina Shemchuk presented a marble plaque which is dedicated to the victims of the genocide perpetrated by Stalinist Russia against Ukraine.

Similar plaques have been presented and installed in various locations throughout the world to memorialize the Holodomor and ensure that history is not forgotten, and therefore, does not get repeated.  Plaques have also been issues commemorating and honoring great and prominent Ukrainians – authors, scientists, artists, and war heroes.

The innocent victims of the Holodomor were prayed for throughout the Divine Liturgy, and during the solemn and moving panakhyda service, where Archbishop Daniel earnestly implored that, “With the souls of the Righteous departed, Savior, grant rest to the souls of Your servants. Preserve them in the blessed life, which is with You, Who loves mankind. In Your place of rest, O Lord, where all Your saints repose, grant rest to the souls of Your servants, for You are the Lover of mankind.”

At the conclusion of the service, His Eminence blessed the plaque which will be displayed on the grounds of the St. Andrew Church, adding to the symbolic and deep meaning of the holy site, which stands as a pilgrimage for thousands.

The memorial of past horrors holds a deep and somber meaning during the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, as Russia once again has invaded the sovereign nation, and is once again attempting to perpetrate genocide against the Ukrainian people.

Therefore, let us remember and pray for the millions of victims of the Holodomor.  May the Lord remember them in His Kingdom.  However, let us also pray for the living, that the Lord grant freedom to Ukraine, safeguard the lives of both the civilians and defenders of freedom, and grant the land the long awaited and hoped for peace for many generations to come.