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Ukrainian Community of Central New York Prays for Peace Ukrainian Community of Central New York Prays for Peace

By Frederick Wilkes III

The flags of the United States and Ukraine fly side by side in front of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Syracuse.
© 2022 Fred Wilkes

FRED WILKES: AS THE WORLD REACTS TO THE NEWS OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE, HERE AT SAINT PETER AND PAUL UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AUBURN, PEOPLE ARE GATHERING TO PRAY. IT’S A SOMBER MOOD HERE TODAY AT SAINT PETER AND PAUL AS NEWS CONTINUES TO POUR IN ABOUT THE SITUATION GOING ON IN UKRAINE. REVEREND VASILE COLOPELNIC, THE PRIEST HERE, CALLED FOR A SPECIAL SERVICE TONIGHT. HE SAYS THAT UKRAINIAN AMERICANS STILL HAVE HOPE.

VASILE COLOPELNIC: WE ARE ALL UNITED. WE ALL UNDERSTAND VERY CLEARLY WHAT’S GOING ON THERE. THERE IS A COMFORT THAT THE WESTERN DOMOCRACIES, THE WESTERN COUNTRIES, ARE ON THE SIDE OF UKRAINE. THAT IS GREAT NEWS. WE JUST HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE VERY QUICKLY AND VERY SOON TO REALLY STOP THIS AGRESSION.

WILKES: COLOPELNIC SAYS THE RUSSIAN INVASION SHOWS A LACK OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE.

COLOPELNIC: WHAT THIS AGRESSION, THIS INVASION OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY, TELLS US IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON’T CARE ABOUT GOODNESS, THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT OTHERS, AND THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT THE WORLD. THEY PROBABLY DON’T EVEN CARE ABOUT THEIR OWN SAFETY, I DON’T KNOW. BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO RESPECT YOURSELF, YOU HAVE TO RESPECT LIFE IN OREDER TO BE ABLE TO RESPECT OTHERS.

WILKES: THE DIOCESE WILL TRY TO HELP OUT IN UKRAINE ANYWAY THEY CAN, BUT FOR NOW ALL THEY CAN DO IS PRAY FOR PEACE. FRED WILKES, N-C-C NEWS.

AUBURN, N.Y. (NCC News)- Central New York is home to a large number of Ukrainian immigrants and their families. As the news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfolds, the Ukrainian community comes together to pray and show their support.

Saint Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Auburn is one of several Ukrainian Catholic churches in Central New York. Vasile Colopelnic, the priest, called for a special church service Thursday evening. Members of the community began arriving around 6 p.m. at the church on Washington Street.

The mood was somber and it was eerily quiet before and after the service.

“People are trying to save their lives and leave Ukraine,” Colopelnic said. “This is very concerning.”

Many of those in the Ukrainian community still have some times to Ukraine, whether that be friends or family. Colopelnic himself has family in Romania on the border with Ukraine.

“At this point, we are starting to pray,” Colopelnic said. “Through prayer we believe God will inspire us … will give us more clarity.”

While prayer may be the course of action now, Colopelnic believes that will need be the end of their effort to help Ukraine.

“We are going to collect funds to see how we can help the wounded people,” Colopelnic said. “Of course, we will be challenged as a Ukrainian Catholic church community to be sensitive to the needs of those that are suffering right now.”

While the diocese begins to organize relief efforts, Colpelnic expressed hope and implored his community to pray for peace.

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