Greek, Ukrainian Orthodox Leaders in US to Hold Joint Prayer Service

Leaders of the Greek and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches in America will gather for a joint prayer service for Ukraine on Wednesday.

A statement by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America says that His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, together with His Eminence Metropolitan Antony of Hierapolis and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, will gather for an Intercessory Prayer Service beginning at 10:00 am EST on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

The Service will take place at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Volodymyr, located at 160 West 82nd Street in New York, NY 10024.

🇺🇦Please join us tomorrow, March 9, 10 AM, at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Volodymyr!
Together with HE Metropolitan Antony of Hierapolis and HE Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, will gather for an Intercessory Prayer Service. pic.twitter.com/kTfZI5Xc2F

— Elpidophoros (@Elpidophoros) March 8, 2022

The Archdiocese notes that “with sadness and heartbreak,” the world has watched Russia launch an invasion into Ukraine.

Greek Orthodox Church in America sets Up Ukrainian Relief Fund

“As we continue to pray for those whose lives are affected both directly and indirectly, the implications of this humanitarian tragedy are being felt throughout the community and around the world,” it adds and calls for contributions to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Ukrainian Relief Fund.

Archbishop Elpidophoros announced the creation of the Ukrainian Relief Effort, which was established in collaboration with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

Together, the Archdiocese and IOCC aim to raise $1 million for both immediate and long-term support for the Ukrainian people.

Archbishop Elpidophoros donated $100,000 to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to support the efforts of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

In an encyclical on the invasion of Ukraine, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America speaks of the horror that has ensued from the invasion of the country.

“I do not say, “Russia,” because many thousands of the Russian people are protesting this unprovoked and unreasonable attack at risk to their own lives and freedom. This attack must be squarely set upon the shoulders of Vladimir Putin, who is risking global peace for his own selfish political agenda,” Elpidophoros said.

“We are witnessing an immense tragedy of human suffering: the targeting of civilians, assassination and terror, and the deaths of innocents, especially children. Yet, we know that Ukrainians and Russians are children nourished from the same breast. They are brothers and sisters in Christ,” he added and called for the war to stop now.