Religious leaders from throughout the New York area met on Wednesday for an intercessory prayer service for Ukraine in the Ukrainian Cathedral of St. Volodymyr in Manhattan.

Archbishop Elpidophoros, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, joined Metropolitan Antony of Hierapolis and Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The Service was a reflection of ecumenical and interfaith support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States.  

In his speech, Archbishop Elpidophoros said, “As we watch the news from the region, we are inspired by both the incredible courage of the Ukrainian people who are facing terrible adversity with a valor which no one expected, and by the bravery of the many thousands of Russian People who are risking their freedom — and perhaps even their lives — as they protest this unprovoked and unreasonable attack.” 

Several international, elected and religious leaders offered remarks, including Kathleen Hochul, Governor of New York; Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York; Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, New York Board of Rabbis; and Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Mission of the Ukraine to the United Nations.

Photo credit: GOARCH / Brittainy Newman