“We Stand Because We Are Not Alone!” — His Beatitude Sviatoslav Leads Ecumenical Prayer for Peace in Ukraine in Philadelphia
On February 16, 2025, during his visit to the United States, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, together with Archbishop Nelson Perez of the Philadelphia Archeparchy, presided over a prayer for peace in Ukraine “Hope and Endurance. Peace and Justice”.
This was reported by Communications Service of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, along with Bishops Paul Chomnycky, Venedykt Aleksiychuk, and Bohdan Danylo, took part in the prayer. Also in attendance were Metropolitan Anthony Scharba, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States, and several Roman Catholic bishops from Pennsylvania, including Mark L. Bartchak (Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown), Larry Kulick (Diocese of Greensburg), and auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia—Keith Chylinski, Christopher Cook, Michael Fitzgerald—as well as Edward Deliman, emeritus bishop.
In his speech, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked the American Catholics for their prayer, support and solidarity in time of war.
“God is always on the side of the innocent. He is with us—He is here. We stand because millions around the world—people like you—are praying for and supporting us. They believe that God is good and true, and that evil, lies and death will never have the last word. We are alive because we are not alone. Thank you for being with us!” the Head of the UGCC expressed his gratitude.
Archbishop Nelson Perez welcomed His Beatitude Sviatoslav to the cathedral. In his speech, he compared the path of Ukraine to the Way of the Cross. “As we walk the Way of the Cross, we also embark on a difficult journey toward peace… However, peace means more than the absence of war. As Pope Paul VI said, ‘If you want Peace, work for Justice.’ Any lasting peace must be rooted in justice—to heal Ukraine’s wounds and uphold its historic sovereign borders,” he said.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav then noted that “your support empowers me to wipe away the tears of widows and orphans who have lost the most precious to them, to find words to support the wounded soldiers and to comfort those whose homes and lives have been destroyed. I draw strength from you—from your prayer, generosity, and presence.”
He emphasized that as Ukraine marks the third anniversary of the full-scale war, it is both a painful and a triumphant moment—painful because of the destruction and loss of life, yet triumphant because a nation that many doubted could survive has been resisting for three years.
“We want peace. Every Ukrainian wants peace, nights without air raids, mornings without explosions, days without deaths and nights without fear, but a ceasefire is not peace, it is a political agreement that cannot bring justice. A ceasefire that leaves people suffering under occupation is nothing more than a cruel travesty. Without justice, peace is impossible—it is an illusion and an empty promise,” the Patriarch said.
The prayer was accompanied by the Roman Catholic Cathedral Choir, directed by Sherlyn Angelini, who led the singing of “God, the Great, the One”—first in English, then in Ukrainian.
The UGCC Department for InformationPhoto credit: The Office of Communications of the UGCC Archeparchy of Philadelphia
