INSIDE: l Symposium dedicated to St. John Paul II and Ukrainians – page 9 l Dzherelo in Lviv set to open new branches – page 9 l Chrebet the ultimate rags-to-riches story – page 18 The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXIX No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 $2.00 Kyiv to commemorate 35th anniversary of Ukraine braces for Russia’s next moves Chornobyl accident with multi-media events as Zelenskyy offers Putin meeting in Donbas

by Mark Raczkiewycz that still linger in society today, the project website says. President enables call-up of army reserves KYIV – To mark the 35th anniversary of A survey commissioned by the Culture as 120,000 Russian troops at border the Chornobyl nuclear accident on April 26, Ministry at the Kyiv International Institute the nonprofit European Institute of of Sociology found that 60 percent of adult Chornobyl is holding a series of events to Ukrainians do not know the date when the commemorate and raise awareness about fourth reactor at the Chornobyl Nuclear the fallout that will include discussions, lec- Power Station exploded on April 26, 1986. tures, a musical concert and an evening Thirty-one people died in the first days memorial vigil. of the accident, and an estimated 4,000- An official mobile phone application – 10,000 died later from causes related to Chornobyl App – was even developed for radiation exposure. users to view the schedule and read more The explosion released the most radio- about the mixed online and offline format active material at one time in an accident that runs from April 20 through the end of emitting “an estimated 45 million curies of the month. That app can be found at radioactive iodine (among other elements) http://chornobyl35.com/. …into the atmosphere,” Massachusetts A primary goal of the endeavor is to dis- pel Soviet myths about the nuclear fallout (Continued on page 18)

Joint Forces Operation of Ukraine A row of Ukrainian tanks hold drills in the war zone of eastern Ukraine on April 20.

by Mark Raczkiewycz critical component of the country’s indus- trial economy. KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr “Does Ukraine want a war? No. Is it Zelenskyy challenged his Russian counter- ready for it? Yes,” Mr. Zelenskyy said in a part Vladimir Putin to a meeting in the war televised address to the nation on April 20. zone of eastern Ukraine as the country’s “Ukraine does not start a war first, but warring neighbor has now amassed more Ukraine always stands to the last man.” military forces than when it first invaded in Ever since Russian began building up its 2014-2015 amid a high-intensity war. military near the Ukrainian border in In addition to deploying 120,000 troops March, Moscow has eschewed direct dia- around Ukraine’s state border and in occu- logue with Kyiv, including phone calls, and pied Crimea, Moscow has limited maritime refused to send a delegation to a recent traffic through the Azov and Black seas, and vastly reduced the supply of diesel fuel, a (Continued on page 5)

Chernobyl Radiation and Environmental Biosphere Reserve A team of wild Przewalski’s horses gallop across a field in an image taken from drone footage on April 20. Russia orders soldiers back to permanent bases after large-scale drills in Crimea

RFE/RL However, it was unclear from Mr. COVID-19 death toll Shoigu’s announcement if the return Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has order covered all of the troops involved in Ukraine reaches 40,000 ordered Russian troops to start returning in that buildup. to their permanent bases following The Russian Defense Ministry said the by Roman Tymotsko “I would like to start with restrained extensive military drills in annexed drills in Crimea involved more than 60 optimism,” said Maxym Stepanov, the coun- Crimea that heightened tensions with ships, over 10,000 troops, around 200 LVIV – After one of the harshest periods try’s minister of health, during a press the West over Moscow’s major military aircraft, and about 1,200 military vehi- of COVID-19 in Ukraine, the country briefing on April 20. “We are now in the buildup near Ukraine. cles. appears to have passed a peak of the pan- third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. “I believe the objectives of the snap But the Russian military hasn’t report- demic. A forecast from the National We all see how difficult it is today and how inspection have been fully achieved. The ed the total number of additional troops Academy of Sciences shows that mortality many cases we face every day. But at the troops have demonstrated their ability to that have been moved to the region. from COVID-19 is in a final phase of the pla- same time, we can say that we have passed provide a credible defense for the coun- Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top teau, with a decrease in mortality expected the peak of morbidity.” try,” Mr. Shoigu was quoted as saying on diplomat, said on April 19 that Russia in the coming days. The government, how- The figures for the past week compared April 22 by the RIA news agency. has massed some 100,000 troops near ever, has decided to continue a national with the week before last show that “the dis- “In this regard, I have decided to com- the border. quarantine until June 30, preparing for the ease has declined,” Mr. Stepanov said. And plete the inspections in the southern and Russia has argued that it has the right possibility of a new spike in cases after this is a tribute to Ukrainians who adhered western military districts,” he said, add- to deploy its forces anywhere on its terri- Easter, though the first batches of Pfizer to the restrictions, the minister stressed. ing that the troops would return to their vaccines under the COVAX initiative arrived bases by May 1. (Continued on page 2) in Ukraine. (Continued on page 3) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17

NEWS ANALYSIS

Macron, Merkel, Zelenskyy meet Czechs detain five eager to fight in Ukraine directorate, who were targeted in the expul- sions. Kyiv and NATO have raised alarm bells The Czech national unit to combat orga- this month over a buildup of Russian mili- to defuse Russian war scare nized crime has detained at least five Czechs tary forces near the border with Ukraine suspected of planning to travel to eastern that threatens a new chapter in the simmer- by Vladimir Socor attribution of that risk). “Concerned about Ukraine to fight alongside Russia-backed ing war since Russia invaded and annexed Eurasia Daily Monitor the growth in Russian troops along the Russia-Ukraine border and on the unlawful- separatists against a backdrop of rising ten- Crimea and began backing the separatists in On April 16, in Paris, French President ly annexed Crimea,” the conferees urge a sions between Prague and Moscow. Donetsk and Luhansk in early 2014. Moscow Emmanuel Macron hosted talks with “downscaling of those troop reinforcements, Investigators from the state prosecutor’s has consistently rejected accusations that it Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a view to achieving a de-escalation” office suspect the five of preparing to join a is actively involved in the eastern Ukrainian in person and with German Chancellor (German readout). No reference appeared to militant group that calls itself the Donetsk conflict despite years of evidence to the con- Angela Merkel, who joined by video-link Russia’s incendiary threats of war. People’s Republic, which opposes Kyiv and trary, including captures of Russian troops in midway through the conversation. - controls part of eastern Ukraine near the the war zone. Russian relations with the The three leaders’ shared goal at this mit’s communique “remain[s] fully perti- Russian border, Czech state prosecutor Czech Republic had already taken a public juncture is to defuse the perceived threat of nent• The and December require[s] 2019 that Normandy Russia engage sum Martin Bily said on April 21. Earlier reports turn for the worse after local officials last Russian military action against Ukraine. The with Ukraine in order to facilitate imple- suggested that around 20 people had been year dismantled a statue in Prague dedicated Kremlin has orchestrated this war scare by mentation” (French readout). Those terms detained in the overnight operation by the to Soviet commander Marshal Ivan Konev. concentrating massive forces near Ukraine’s require the Ukrainian parliament to adopt NCOZ, a police unit to counter terrorism and Russia threatened a response and opened a borders and in occupied Crimea, with high a new framework law on the “special sta- extremism. But Mr. Bily said five people had criminal case over what it viewed as a publicity and dire rhetorical threats. The tus” of the Russian-controlled territory in been detained and no one had been charged slight. (RFE/RL, with reporting by iDnes.cz, aim is to intimidate Ukraine into compliance Ukraine’s east, to incorporate the so-called yet. The roundup comes with the Czechs Respekt and Aktualne.cz) with the 2015 Minsk “agreements” and have Steinmeier Formula in that law, and to pre- and Russians already embroiled in a flurry Berlin and Paris ratify that compliance pare “elections” in that territory (see EDM, of diplomatic expulsions since the April 17 Zelenskyy invites Putin to meet through the quadripartite Normandy pro- December 11, 12, 2019). Kyiv has resisted announcement that Czech authorities Ukrainian President Volodymyr cess (Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France). those demands to date. President Zelens­ blame two Russian officers of a secretive Macron’s ambition is to replace the exit- kyy is aware that yielding to those Zelenskyy has invited his Russian counter- GRU military intelligence unit for an explo- part, Vladimir Putin, to meet him in eastern bound Ms. Merkel as the primary European demands could trigger a severe backlash. sion at an ammunition depot in 2014 that Nevertheless, Berlin and Paris along with Ukraine for talks on calming tensions actor in the Normandy process and use it to killed two Czech nationals. The explosives position himself as Russia’s primary inter- Moscow would not grant Mr. Zelenskyy’s between the two countries. “I go there that detonated in Vrbetice, in the southeast- locutor in Europe. This would require some ardent wish for another Normandy summit every month. Mr. Putin. I am ready to go ern part of the country, were purportedly semblance of a compromise with Russia in unless he fulfills the terms of the December even further and invite you to meet any- Ukraine’s east – be it a partial or interim 2019 summit. part of a planned shipment via a Bulgarian where in the Ukrainian Donbas, where the solution – to sideline this problem and clear businessman to supply Ukrainian forces war is going on,” Mr. Zelenskyy said in a the chessboard for working with Russia on military de-escalation directly with fighting the separatists. Prime Minister video released on the presidential website higher-priority issues from France’s per- President• Mr. Macron Vladimir will Putin take (Frenchup the matter readout, of Andrej Babis rejected the label of “state ter- on April 20, amid a Russian military build- spective. While Ms. Merkel positioned her- reflecting Mr. Macron’s ambition for a rorism” for the alleged Russian operation up along the border with Ukraine and in self most of the time as speaking for Europe mediator’s role). against his NATO-member state, triggering occupied Crimea. There was no immediate (the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline United States President Joseph Biden’s a national debate over relations with Russia. comment from Russian officials. The United being a glaring exception), Mr. Macron has rushed outreach to Mr. Putin (April 13) can But his government ordered the expulsion States and NATO say the Russian military attempted, in vain, to act as an intermediary make Mr. Macron’s own attempt look less of 18 Russian diplomats, eliciting denials buildup is the largest since 2014, when between Europe and Russia. controversial than it would otherwise have from Moscow and a bigger expulsion of Moscow illegally annexed Ukraine’s The April 16 meeting’s German and been in the European arena. Mr. Macron Czech nationals by the Russian side. Prague Crimean Peninsula and backed separatists French readouts (Bundeskanzlerin.de, hastened to endorse Mr. Biden’s move on has since urged allies to carry out “collective holding parts of the eastern regions of April 16; Elysée.fr, April 17) reveal the fol- CBS: “I am definitely in favor of discussion action by EU and NATO countries aimed at Donetsk and Luhansk. The Kremlin denies lowing positions: with Russia in an open, quiet, respectful dis- solidarity expulsions” to support it in the its military movements are a threat and cussion. […] I fully share your president’s ongoing dispute. Czech reports said hun- maintains it’s a sovereignty issue. A fragile Minsk ‘agreements.’” This would seem to willingness to dialogue. And I am sure that dreds of police officers took part in the over- cease-fire negotiated last summer in east- ignore• “Both Ukrainian sides must diplomacy’s fully implement efforts the to President Putin can be ready to reopen the night operations on April 20-21 against the ern Ukraine has also unraveled in recent have those documents revised by mutual dialogue” (Face the Nation, April 18). Czechs suspected of planning to fight in weeks, with nearly 30 Ukrainian soldiers consent. Mr. Zelenskyy had set the stage for his Ukraine, and some were said to be mem- killed since the start of the year. Earlier on bers of paramilitary groups. The iDnes.cz April 20, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister military escalation” (French readout; no (Continued on page 4) news site said it wasn’t being ruled out that Dmytro Kuleba called for a new round of • The conferees “ascertained the risks of the suspects might have been in contact economic sanctions on Moscow to make it with some of the Russian diplomats, and 60 military vehicles on April 22, with accused of being part of the military GRU (Continued on page 16) Russia orders... fighter jets providing air cover for the oper- (Continued from page 1) ation. Mr. Shoigu oversaw the exercise flying in tory and claimed that they don’t threaten a helicopter over the Opuk firing range in The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 anyone. Crimea. On April 20, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Russia last week announced the closing of large areas of the Black Sea near Crimea An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that the a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Russian buildup across the border was con- to foreign navy ships and state vessels until Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. tinuing and was “expected to reach a com- November, prompting protests from Ukraine and raising Western concerns. Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. bined force of over 120,000 troops” in (ISSN — 0273-9348) about a week, urging the West to beef up Moscow also announced restrictions on sanctions against Moscow. flights near Crimea this week, arguing that The Weekly: UNA: Mr. Shoigu said the military had to be they fully conform with international law. Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 ready to respond quickly in case of “unfa- Moscow also warned Kyiv against trying vorable” developments arising from to retake by force territory controlled by Postmaster, send address changes to: NATO’s DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercises, separatists in the east of the country, where The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Andrew Nynka an annual, U.S. Army-led, multinational more than 13,000 people have been killed in 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas joint exercise across 26 countries in Europe fighting since 2014, saying that Russia could P.O. Box 280 and Africa, including Estonia – which step in to protect civilians in the region. Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] shares a border with Russia – Bulgaria, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelens­ Romania. kyy signed an order on April 21 allowing The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com The Russian troop buildup near the call-up of reservists for military service Ukraine’s border came amid stepped-up without announcing a mobilization. (With The Ukrainian Weekly, April 25, 2021, No. 17, Vol. LXXXIX violations of a cease-fire in Ukraine’s east additional reporting by Reuters, AP and Copyright © 2021 The Ukrainian Weekly and prompted the West to urge Moscow to AFP) pull its forces back. The United States and NATO have said Copyright 2021, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA that the buildup was the largest since 2014, with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 when Russia forcibly seized Crimea and Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Walter Honcharyk, administrator and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 threw its support behind separatists in Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see e-mail: [email protected] eastern Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-orders-sol- Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 The Crimea maneuvers included the diers-back-bases-shoigu-large-scale-drills- e-mail: [email protected] landing of more than 2,000 paratroopers crimea/31217413.html). No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Russia effectively seizes control of Sea of Azov, threatening Ukraine

by Paul Goble the region and wants to avoid any acciden- less clear cut as a condemnation of Moscow are already boldly talking about Russian Eurasia Daily Monitor tal clashes. And the Russian foreign affairs than what some in Ukraine would like to “control” of the Sea of Azov. Certain Russian ministry has declared that, therefore, this hear (Ec.europa.eu, RFI, April 16). analysts even imply that Moscow’s latest The international community has move in no way represents either a viola- Neither Ukraine’s protests nor European moves are an entirely reasonable response focused on Moscow’s buildup of forces on tion of international law or a threat to expressions of concern, however, appear to to Turkey’s construction of a canal that, land adjoining Ukraine, concerned that Ukraine and its partners (RIA Novosti, April have restrained Moscow. Indeed, there they assert, Ankara has decided will not be such a concentration of Russian military 15). But as the Ukrainian foreign affairs have already been cases in the past week in subject to the Montreux Conventions and, power will be used against its neighbor ministry has pointed out, “such actions by which Russian ships have blocked thus, will allow more Western naval vessels (see EDM, April 8, 15, 19). But as Moscow the Russian Federation are the latest Ukrainian ships on waters where the two to enter the Black Sea and threaten Russia routinely insists, it has the right to shift its attempt to violate the norms and principles countries supposedly share control (APN, April 15; Echo Russia, April 14; forces about on its own territory. In its of international law” because they “usurp (Facebook.com/navy.mil.gov.ua, April 15). Svobodnaya Pressa, April 20; Profile, April view, these units would only be a problem the sovereign rights of Ukraine as a littoral At the same time, Moscow has transferred 19). That alarmist interpretation of the if the Russian government were to send state since Ukraine has rights to regulate 15 warships from its Caspian Flotilla to the planned Istanbul Canal remains hotly dis- them across the border. In contrast, in the shipping in these areas of the Black Sea” Sea of Azov, an action that not only gives puted (see Jamestown.org, April 14). waters off Ukraine, Russia, by its latest (Kmu.gov.ua, April 15). the Russian naval forces arrayed there an In any case, this is not the first time the actions, is already in violation of interna- Not surprisingly, Kyiv has called on the expanded landing capability but gives Sea of Azov has become a cockpit of conflict tional law: Moscow has announced that it is international community to support it Federal Security Service (FSB) Border between Russia and Ukraine. In Soviet unilaterally closing the Kerch Strait against this latest Russian application of Guard vessels that had patrolled that body times, it was viewed as that country’s inter- between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov pressure, especially as this action is clearly of water the opportunity to move into the nal body of water not subject to interna- to naval vessels of Ukraine and other coun- a violation of international law. European Black Sea proper and be available for tional law; but when the Union of Soviet tries until the end of October (RIA Novosti, Union officials have expressed “concern,” actions against Ukraine elsewhere (see Socialist Republics (USSR) disintegrated, April 16). but because they have done so in the wake EDM, April 13; Windowoneurasia2. both Kyiv and Moscow made claims to it. Moscow’s justification for what it has of news that Western naval vessels were on blogspot.com, April 14; Vestnik, April 19). done is that it is planning naval exercises in their way to the Black Sea, their words are As a result, some Russian commentators (Continued on page 7)

distance, avoiding close quarters, so that COVID-19... people do not contract infection with (Continued from page 1) COVID while waiting for a vaccination,” Ms. Sylwander said. “We received almost 13,500 fewer Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the patients than the week before. The situa- government expects many more vaccines in tion is the same in the number of hospital- May and expects the vaccination campaign to izations: 3,500 fewer people were hospital- accelerate significantly. On April 21, he said ized last week,” Mr. Stepanov said. that 367,000 doses from AstraZeneca should But in some regions, the situation arrive in Ukraine in the coming week. All remains “quite tense,” the health minister told, the total number of vaccines already said. Twelve regions continue to be classi- delivered will be more than 1.1 million doses. fied in the “red level,” the country’s highest, “We expect a much larger number of while 56 percent of the country’s hospital vaccines in May, and the vaccination cam- beds assigned for COVID-19 patients are paign will accelerate significantly. The pres- occupied. Kyiv and Lviv Oblast are both at Cabinet of Ministers ident of Ukraine has made it clear that by 63 percent capacity, while Khmelnytska Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal takes part in a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. the end of this year, more than half of the Oblast has the worst situation with 75 per- The Ukrainian government decided to continue a national lockdown until June 30. population should be vaccinated against cent of its capacity occupied by COVID-19 COVID-19,” Mr. Shmyhal said. patients as of April 21. Dmytro Razumkov, said he was ashamed of international partners for their support. The head of the WHO European Bureau, The minister of health stressed that it is Mr. Tyshchenko’s behavior, who was cele- “It is important for Ukraine that in the Hans Kluge, predicted that the coronavirus too early for Ukrainians to relax and ignore brating his wife’s birthday with friends at a conditions of fierce competition and strug- pandemic would end early next year, he the rules of epidemic safety. He also added Kyiv hotel during an intensified quarantine. gle for access to vaccines in the world, said in an interview with Danish media DR. that it is unacceptable for citizens to hold Mr. Razumkov stressed that the authori- COVAX confirms in practice the fulfillment Mr. Kluge noted that this year the situation large parties or to have restaurants ignore ties should understand that today the state of the tasks for which this global partner- with the spread of coronavirus would be pandemic safety protocols. is in a difficult situation. “Many people have ship was created – to provide fair opportu- more manageable than last year. However, even members of Ukrainian closed business, and many do not have nities for all,” Mr. Stepanov said. “The worst-case scenario is behind us. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s team enough resources for a normal existence,” The supply of vaccines to Ukraine from We already know a lot more about the have not adhered to the quarantine restric- Mr. Razumkov said. various manufacturers under the COVAX coronavirus compared to 2020, when it tions. Investigative journalists uncovered While the country deals with yet another initiative will continue. It is expected that was just starting to spread,” Mr. Kluge said. details of the birthday quarantine celebra- period of lockdown measures, it has also by the end of 2021, it will enable the coun- The WHO does predict the end of the tion of the wife of Mykola Tyshchenko, the received more vaccines. On April 16, the try to cover up to 20 percent of the popula- global pandemic in early 2022, Mr. Kluge deputy head of the Servant of the People first batch of vaccines was delivered to tion of its population. Under the COVAX said. However, the coronavirus will likely faction. Guests entered the Fairmont Hotel Ukraine under the COVAX program – an ini- program, UNICEF purchases and supplies become endemic and spread among the in the center of Kyiv without masks, and tiative to ensure global access to COVID-19 only those COVID-19 vaccines that meet the population like the flu. they were asked not to post photos and vid- vaccines. It was the first delivery within the World Health Organization’s safety and effi- “The virus will continue to spread, but I eos on the day of the event and not to mark COVAX initiative to the country. cacy criteria. don’t think there will be a need to impose the location in order to avoid publicity. Ukraine received 117,000 doses of the “WHO is working to ensure the availabil- restrictions,” he said. At the same time, he On April 18, journalists from the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine free of charge. ity and accessibility of vaccines, as well as stressed that this is only a probable devel- “Schemes” investigative television program Those doses will primarily be used to vacci- to conduct a safe and effective vaccination opment. The exact result is currently managed to count about 30 guests who nate staff and residents of nursing homes, process in Ukraine,” said Dr. Jarno Habicht, impossible to determine. attended the celebration. None wore pro- while employees of the State Emergency head of the WHO office in Ukraine. According to the Public Health Center of tective masks. Service and border guards will be the next “Nowadays, partners such as WHO, Ukraine, on April 21 there were 12,162 Journalists filmed Mr. Tyshchenko with group of individuals to receive the vaccines. UNICEF, the European Union, USAID, the new COVID-19 cases in Ukraine, with his wife on the hotel’s balcony during the “The state of Ukraine has set a clear United Kingdom and the World Bank have 418,850 total active cases in the country. celebration. The head of the Cherkasy objective to cover the majority of the adult given priority to COVID-19 vaccination and Since the beginning of the immunization Regional State Administration, Oleksandr population of Ukraine with the COVID-19 allocated resources to support these efforts campaign, 477,833 people have been vacci- Skichko, and his wife were seen leaving the vaccination this calendar year. This is a dif- in Ukraine. Ensuring equitable access to the nated. On April 20, 15,042 people were vac- hotel after the party. ficult task, but it can definitely be done,” Mr. COVID-19 vaccine, especially to protect the cinated against COVID-19. Of this number, It was not the first time Mr. Tyshchenko Stepanov said. “This process will be a real most vulnerable populations, will allow us to 5,231 people got CoviShield (Oxford- was caught breaking the rules set by his logistical and management challenge, as mitigate the effects of the pandemic on pub- AstraZeneca) vaccine, 4,963 got the own party. During the first spring lockdown different manufacturers and types of vac- lic health and the economy,” Mr. Habicht said. CoronaVac (Sinovac) vaccine, and 4,848 got in 2020, journalists revealed that Ukrainian cines will be involved in the vaccination Lotta Sylwander, head of UNICEF the Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine. politicians had visited the restaurant Velour, process, each of which has its conditions Ukraine, underlined that Ukraine’s medical During the entire pandemic in Ukraine, owned by Mykola Tyshchenko. The guests for use, transportation, and storage,” the system is overloaded, and the vaccination 1,974,118 people have contracted COVID- included national deputies, businessmen health minister said. process must be quick and effective. 19; 1,514,472 people recovered; 40,796 and partners of oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. Mr. Stepanov welcomed the effort of the “It is critical to ensure that the vaccina- people died; and 9,042,785 tests have been The speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, global COVAX initiative and thanked Ukraine’s tion process is organized safely: preserving conducted. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17

OBITUARY Quotable notes The United States expresses its deep concern over Russia’s plans to block foreign Dr. Bohdan Czepak, long-time activist naval ships and state vessels in parts of the Black Sea, including near occupied Crimea and the Kerch Strait. Russia has a history of taking aggressive actions against Ukrainian vessels and impeding access to Ukraine’s ports in the Sea of Azov, impacting and community leader in greater Cleveland Ukraine’s international commerce. This represents yet another unprovoked escalation in Moscow’s ongoing campaign to undermine and destabilize Ukraine. This develop- by Andrew Fedynsky ment is particularly troubling amid credible reports of Russian troop buildup in occu- pied Crimea and around Ukraine’s borders, now at levels not seen since Russia’s inva- Dr. Bohdan R. Czepak (1937-2021), a sion in 2014, and other provocative actions by Russia-led forces at the line of contact. long-time activist and community leader The United States reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and in greater Cleveland, passed away on April territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its ter- 9 after an extended illness. He was 83. ritorial waters. The United States does not, and will never, recognize Russia’s pur- Professionally, Dr. Czepak was a plastic ported annexation of Crimea. surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, Case We commend Ukraine for its continued restraint in the face of Russian provoca- Western Reserve University Hospital and tions, and call on Russia to cease its harassment of vessels in the region and reverse Lutheran Medical Center specializing in its build-up of forces along Ukraine’s border and in occupied Crimea. hand surgery, helping thousands of – Ned Price, spokesperson, U.S. Department of State, in a statement issued on April 19. patients over his more than 50 years of practice and winning widespread praise in the process. He was especially devoted So let me be clear: Russia is the aggressor here. We have seen no indication what- soever that Ukraine is engaging in provocations or escalating intentions – tensions. to the greater Cleveland Ukrainian com- What we have seen is a Russian disinformation campaign designed to falsely blame munity, serving as a board member of the Ukraine for the Kremlin’s own actions. This was one of the primary discussions in Ukrainian Museum-Archives, securing Brussels last week at NATO Headquarters. It featured in every discussion the secre- very generous contributions and grants tary had. The NATO alliance is resolute. We are – we spoke with one voice as we con- over the years which will be ongoing with tinue to stand by our partner Ukraine, and of course, the secretary last week had a his legacy contribution. meeting in Brussels to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Kuleba, his Ukrainian Mr. Czepak was also a staunch support- counterpart. We – the secretary relayed that message in private, made clear that the er of the National University at Ostroh Courtesy of Janet Turner United States government stands by Ukraine. We will continue to support the gov- Academy in Ukraine, which will also bene- Dr. Bohdan R. Czepak ernment and the people of Ukraine in the face of what appears to be intimidation. fit from his financial legacy. Dr. Czepak – Ned Price, spokesperson, U.S. Department of State, during a press briefing on April 20. spent countless hours of his personal time Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists building the Cleveland Ukrainian (OUN). Selfreliance Federal Credit Union where On a personal note, Bohdan Czepak ment, heavily favoring Russia (see below). he held posts for 39 years, including as was my friend since he first returned to Macron... The four Normandy leaders’ top political vice president, president and chairman of Ohio in the early 1970s. We shared many (Continued from page 2) advisors convened by video-conference on the board. He also served as a leader in a story over a glass of beer and enjoyed April 19 to start discussions on possible the Ukrainian National Credit Union working together on behalf of Ukrainian Paris visit with a lengthy interview in Le refinements to the Franco-German propos- Association and was very involved with dissidents and the global struggle for Figaro (April 16): “It is Mr. Macron, precisely als. Titled “Key Clusters for Carrying Out the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) for Ukraine’s independence. I remember him Mr. Macron who can now, right now, breathe the Minsk Agreements,” the document’s lat- over 50 years. as unusually knowledgeable, idealistic and new life into the Normandy process… Mr. est version was leaked by Mr. Putin’s envoy Mr. Czepak was born on May 3, 1937, selfless with a great sense of humor – he Macron’s support is needed first and fore- Dmitry Kozak to the Russian press last to Mykola and Anna Czepak in Shpipolosy, was invariably smiling, often chuckling most. Then, let us hope, Russia will be will- month, apparently in order to force the Ukraine. On September 11, 1949, his fam- over a joke or pleasant memory. He was ing.” Mr. Zelenskyy still hopes for a Ukrainian side to respond negatively, so ily traveled to the United States where equally comfortable speaking with a Normandy summit with Mr. Putin’s partici- that Kyiv would look intransigent and they became citizens and made their young person in a youth club or a congres- pation: “I am keen that all four of us connect alienate Berlin and Paris. Indeed, the home in Warren, Ohio. Bohdan graduated sional representative, senator, mayor or and discuss security in Ukraine’s east and Franco-German document closely adheres from Warren G. Harding High School in other elected officials. Bohdan was a bril- the de-occupation of our territories, because to the Russia-imposed Minsk Two “agree- ment” while tinkering with the sequence of 1955, subsequently receiving his under- liant man who embraced life as a physi- it is at such meetings that those issues can steps at the margins (see EDM, March 30). graduate degree in engineering and biolo- cian, community activist and parishioner be solved” (Ukrinform, April 16). The track record shows the opposite, however. It seems highly untimely for Paris and gy in 1959 from Youngstown State at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church According to President Zelenskyy’s top Berlin to force the pace of talks on the basis University. He earned his medical degree in Parma, Ohio, where funeral services advisor, Andriy Yermak, “There were no of such a document in the shadow of Russia’s from Ludwig-Maximilians University in were held on April 23. positions expressed [in Paris] that would massive military deployment and before any Munich, Germany, in 1970. While in Mr. Czepak leaves behind his niece be at variance with Ukraine’s interests. […] de-escalation measures that the Paris meet- Munich, he worked with leading figures in Janet Vesa Turner (Douglas) and great Real friends would not even attempt to do ing was supposed to seek from Russia. the Ukrainian liberation struggle and niece Alexandra from Pittsburgh; nephew this. Ukraine, France and Germany agree on served as a translator for Ukrainian wit- Larry Vesa from Warren, Ohio; sister continuing the Normandy process” The article above is reprinted from nesses at the trial of KGB assassin Bohdan Maria Popyk from Cincinnati, Ohio; other (Ukrinform, April 16). This claim is mis- Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Stashynsky who murdered Lev Rebet and extended family members and many leading, since the process continues at top its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, Stepan Bandera, leaders of the friends. speed on the basis of the “Clusters” docu- www.jamestown.org.

The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: March 2021

Amount Name City State Czernyk Andrew Bedford Cors NY Rabarsky Bohdan Utica NY $150.00 Stoiko Andrei in memory $30.00 Melnyk Luba Elmhurst NY $10.00 Bihun Irene & Yurij Jericho VT of Jaroslaw Maruszczak Dearborn MI Tershakovec Maria New Fairfield CT Chomanczuk Roman Astoria NY $120.00 Danysh Natalie Greenwich CT $25.00 Dubno Luba New Haven CT Diduch Gene Hephzibah GA $110.00 Kraynyk Bohdan Kenmore NY Lyktey Kristine Utica NY Mreczko John Villanova PA Pawlowych Lubomyr & Irene Union NJ $100.00 Bilaniuk Stefan Shrewsbury MA Pawlyk Oksana Chicago IL Hirniak Roman Randolph NJ Tataryn Orest & Judy San Jose CA Platosh Damian Fairview OR Horodysky Tamara Eugene OR Tkaczyk Gregory Burlington ON Sagasz Eugene Mt Pocono PA Krislaty Zenon & Dozia Cleveland OH Skrypka Wolodymyr Gainesville GA $20.00 Dekajlo Rostyslaw & Adriana Chicago IL Smyk Rostyslaw Lake Bluff IL Mazurkevich Ulana Philadelphia PA Holoviak Paula Sugarloaf PA $5.00 Hawryluk Basil Stuyvesant NY Olesnycky Lubodar & Zenia Florham Park NJ Kawac Michael Parma OH $75.00 Strutynsky Ihor & Svitlana Yonkers NY Kinal Ihor Metuchen NJ $60.00 Bekersky Daria Tuxedo NY Kovach Stanislawa Stratford CT TOTAL: $1,995.00 $50.00 Ochrym Jean Etobicoke ON Lukomskyj Lubomyra Mt Prospect IL Pylyp Romana Cedar Grove NJ Lychyk Victor Alexandria VA Sincere thanks to all contributors Singura Z & L Carteret NJ Nebesny Michael & Stefana Clinton IN to The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund. Zubrycky Vera Cupertino CA Sydorowych Julie Dewitt NY $45.00 Rub George Belleville MI Wasylko N Endicott NY The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the only $40.00 Hluszczyk Roman Carteret NJ $15.00 Gawdiak Ihor & Natalie Columbia MD fund dedicated exclusively to supporting $35.00 Boyko Lieda Port Charlotte FL Howansky Mark Basking Ridge NJ the work of this publication. No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 5

Russia will on April 24 for six months has steadily crept up, in a sign of efforts to that the Russian president “was notified” of Ukraine braces... start blocking foreign naval ships and state establish de facto control over international Mr. Zelenskyy’s proposal to meet with him (Continued from page 1) vessels in parts of the Black Sea, including waters.” in the eastern Ukrainian war zone. near occupied Crimea and the Kerch Strait It based the information on a “leaked” “If the president deems it necessary, he emergency meeting at the Vienna head- where crucial commercial shipping lanes Ukrainian Defense Ministry memo it says will answer himself. I have nothing to say at quarters of the Organization for Security take cargo to and from Ukrainian ports. was obtained and which finds a “high prob- the moment,” Mr. Peskov said. and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that Moscow also restricted flights to parts of ability” that Russia may be seeking to pro- Following Mr. Zelenskyy’s France trip, Ukraine called to discuss the military con- Crimea and the Black Sea, issuing a notice voke Ukrainian forces in order to create a the political advisers of Germany, France, centration and escalation in war. to airmen (NOTAM) for April 20-24. pretext for a military incursion, as it did in Ukraine and Russia met on April 19 in what More than 30 Ukrainian servicemen Kyiv, the U.S. and the EU swiftly con- Georgia in 2008. is known as the Normandy format. The have been killed since the beginning of the demned the restrictions. Ben Hodges, the former commanding state leaders from all sides have twice held year. “This represents yet another unpro- general of the U.S. army in Europe, tweeted talks to devise a roadmap for achieving “Mr. Putin!” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “I am voked escalation in Moscow’s ongoing cam- on April 22 that “Russian use of force in the peace in the Donbas War known as the ready to go even further and invite you to paign to undermine and destabilize Black Sea region started in 2008 in Minsk agreements. meet anywhere in the Ukrainian Donbas, Ukraine,” U.S. State Department spokesper- Georgia,” when a five-day war ended with Not much headway was made to ease where there is a war.” son Ned Price said on April 19. two provinces, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, tensions and Russian officials called the It was the latest sign of concern from He added that “Russia has a history of switched to de facto Moscow control. meeting a “failure.” Kyiv that Russia could seize more territory taking aggressive actions against Ukrainian “Our repeated collective failure since Russia exerted additional pressure on as Ukraine’s diplomatic corps has called for vessels and impeding access to Ukraine’s then to hold them [Russia] accountable, to Ukraine by greatly reducing diesel fuel sup- more military assistance from its allies and ports in the Sea of Azov, impacting stop them, has led us to what I consider to ply, Reuters reported, citing five trading membership in NATO, a defensive alliance. Ukraine’s international commerce.” be imminent escalation of violence in sources on April 19. To bolster the standing army of some As of April 18, Russia had 15 warships in Ukraine,” Mr. Hodges added. The move by Russia’s Rosneft coincided 250,000 active-duty personnel, Mr. the Black Sea; 10 of them are landing ships The Ukrainian president’s appeal for with planned maintenance at the Belarus Zelenskyy signed a law on April 21 to allow capable of launching amphibious attacks to help in Paris on April 16 ended with rheto- Mozyr refinery. Ukraine consumes more for the conscription of reservists within 24 deliver up to 2,000 people and 40 tanks ric of condemnation from French counter- than 7 million tons of diesel yearly, import- hours without announcing a mobilization. simultaneously at any point along the coast. part Emmanuel Macron and little else. ing two-thirds of its needs, mainly from The law will help quickly deploy addi- Due to the heightening tensions, the U.S. Following lunch at the Elysée Palace, Russia and Belarus, Reuters reported. tional manpower to augment defensive Federal Aviation Administration warned both held a video-link discussion with Severe shortages could take effect in May if forces, which will “significantly increase airlines to use “extreme caution” along the German Chancellor Angela Merkel on rising alternative supplies aren’t found. their combat effectiveness during a rapidly Ukrainian-Russian border, and required tensions along Ukraine’s border. “Diesel is widely used by various growing military aggression, as well as airlines to give 72 hours notice before fly- “We see an escalation of the situation,” [Ukrainian] economic sectors including quickly increase the combat potential and ing there. Mr. Zelenskyy said. “Thirty soldiers have agriculture (22 percent of total consump- respond to sudden threats to national secu- Flight tracking websites monitored by been killed this year . . . We need to move tion), rail and motor transportation (21 rity,” the president’s office said in a state- The Ukrainian Weekly on April 21-22 very quickly now from words to direct percent), and industrial companies (12 per- ment. showed that a U.S. and British spy plane, as steps” towards implementing the Minsk cent),” Kyiv-based Dragon Capital wrote on Amid the flurry of diplomatic activity, well as a U.S. Global Hawk drone were fly- peace agreements from 2015. April 22. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro ing over Ukraine’s eastern border area and After the bilateral meeting, Mr. Macron Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kuleba provided an assessment of the chal- near Crimea. stated that clearly defined red lines need to Krykliy said on April 21 that the Ukrainian lenges Kyiv is facing at a monthly video Russia’s no-fly notice preceded new sat- be drawn regarding Russia without specify- government’s seizure of a diesel pipeline in conference this week with the foreign ellite images that German magazine Der ing what they were. February from pro-Russian politician affairs ministers of the European Union. Spiegel and Maxar Technologies published In response, Mr. Putin said at his yearly Viktor Medvedchuk affected diesel supply “Kyiv’s steps towards conflict resolution over the past week showing evidence of a state of the nation address on April 21 that in the country. The pipeline was responsi- are not reciprocated by Moscow,” he said. new Russian military camp on the Crimean “I hope that no one will think about cross- ble for 20-25 percent of diesel inflows into “What is especially worrying is the military Peninsula 280 kilometers from Ukraine- ing the ‘red line’ with regard to Russia. We the country. build-up in the proximity of the Ukrainian controlled territory. ourselves will determine in each specific The seizure was part of a package of border and in the illegally annexed Crimea.” Images taken March 27-April 16 includ- case where it will be drawn.” sanctions that Mr. Zelenskyy’s administra- In his summary of the EU Foreign Affairs ed rows of military hardware and at least a Ukraine was hardly mentioned during tion imposed on the lawmaker, who has Council, the foreign affairs minister of the dozen Su-30 fighter jets on the peninsula the address, but Mr. Putin referred to the direct access to the Kremlin. Three televi- 27-nation member bloc, Josep Borrell, said, and along the Russian-Ukrainian border. 2014 Revolution of Dignity as a “coup sion channels known for their pro-Russian “we must continue to urge Russia to de- Meanwhile, HBO’s Axios media outlet d’etat” and twice conspicuously referred to rhetoric associated with the politician were escalate and defuse tensions, and we reported that Russia’s actions near Viktor Yanukovych, whom the revolution taken off the air as part of the sanctions as should all push back on Russia’s attempts Ukraine’s border and waters, officially to had ousted, as “the president of Ukraine.” well. to portray itself as a mediator, rather than a conduct military exercises, “takes up 27 The following day, Kremlin spokesman Mr. Medvedchuk has called the sanctions party to the conflict.” percent of the Black Sea – a proportion that Dmitry Peskov told journalists at a briefing an act of “political persecution.” 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17

EASTER PASTORAL LETTER The Ukrainian Weekly Russian troops stand down Trust in Our Risen Lord News broke just several hours before The Weekly’s deadline on April 22 that Easter Pastoral letter from the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had ordered Russian troops to start Beyond the Borders of Ukraine. returning to their permanent bases, seemingly deescalating a situation that “O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, templation of the Resurrection Power that heightened tensions with the West over Moscow’s military buildup near the bor- where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you was theirs. They could barely hold them- der with Ukraine, as well as in Russia-occupied Crimea. are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the selves back until the conclusion of the wor- “I believe the objectives of the snap inspection have been fully achieved. The demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the ship service so that they could go back out troops have demonstrated their ability to provide a credible defense for the coun- angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. into the world to bear witness to a God try,” Mr. Shoigu was quoted as saying on April 22 by the RIA news agency. “In this Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in Who loved them perhaps more than they regard, I have decided to complete the inspections in the southern and western the grave. For Christ, being risen from the loved themselves. They had a mission and a military districts,” he said, adding that the troops would return to their bases by dead, is become the first fruits of those who ministry of serving others – being Christ to May 1. have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and them – in that love – the same mission to While the news is certainly positive and a step in the right direction, the danger dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.” (Conclu­ which we are called today. and threat to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty will not have disap- sion of the Paschal Homily of St. John Our prayer as we celebrate the Feast of peared once Russian troops do in fact return to their permanent bases. Moreover, Chrysostom, read during Paschal Matins.) Feasts, dearly beloved, is that today your Dearly beloved Sisters and Brothers in hearts are throbbing because of the Mr. Shoigu’s announcement leaves several important questions yet unanswered. our Lord, Resurrection Power that is also yours. Not It is not clear if the Russian defense minister’s announcement covers all of the all are called to preach to the world, but we troops involved in the Russian buildup of forces in and around Ukraine, nor did it Our Lord and Savior has offered Himself all are inspired with the Grace that can and clarify just how many soldiers were in Crimea to begin with. The Russian up Christon the is PreciousRisen! Христос and Life-Giving Воскрес! Cross, will enable us to utilize that Power. We all Ministry of Defense previously only reported that more than 60 ships, over suffered under the torture of human hands, can reach into the lives of those whose lives 10,000 troops, around 200 aircraft and about 1,200 military vehicles were in ille- was buried and on this third day, He has intersect with ours. We can be peacemak- gally-annexed Crimea. “risen from the dead, trampling down ers when we witness hatred in speech or in Mr. Shoigu also said that, while he had ordered Russian troops to return to death by death and to those in the tombs deed. We can speak the positive, perhaps their permanent bases, he nonetheless ordered that the heavy weapons which bestowing life!” How do we express our changing the perspective through which have been deployed to western Russia as part of the drills remain in place for love and gratitude to the One Who opened the individuals involved view a situation or another set of massive military exercises planned to take place later this year. the gates of Heaven to us all – both the liv- a heated argument. This Power given to us With that heavy weaponry left in place, the Russian Ministry of Defense can order ing and the dead? First and most impor- also enables us to be merciful, pure in soldiers back to the region and quickly re-escalate the situation. tant, we do not express that love and grati- heart, hungry and thirsty for righteousness, The news also comes after Russia last week announced the closing of large tude only during the celebration of the meek and unselfish. areas of the Black Sea to foreign navy ships and state vessels until November. It Resurrection Feast. We offer them every The pathway to salvation has been pro- also limited maritime traffic through the Sea of Azov and vastly reduced the sup- day in prayer. We offer them in the ways we vided by our Risen Lord, throughout His ply of diesel fuel to Ukraine, a move meant to undercut Ukraine’s economy, which relate to one another. We offer that love and public ministry and especially through the is heavily dependent on diesel to power the country’s industrial economy. gratitude through every single, miniscule days of Holy Week. Let us now follow that While the news was greeted positively by Ukrainian President Volodymyr decision or choice that we make through pathway anew as we enter into Bright Zelenskyy, he rightly took the step on April 21 of signing a law that allows for the the course of a day. We offer them through Week. The world needs us! Nothing is more the mercy, comfort and compassion with certain in life than the promise of salvation conscription of reservists within 24 hours without announcing a mobilization of which we embrace those who are different for those who live in sincere faith and trust Ukraine’s military. We continue to believe that the only way for Ukraine to deal from us in any way. in our Risen Lord. May the Grace of our with Russian President Vladimir Putin is to show him that Ukraine will not back We no longer fear death, says St. John, Risen Lord, the Love of God the Father and down, that the Ukrainian armed forces stand ready to repel continued Russian because our Savior has annihilated death! the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with aggression and that, whether the Western world actually intends to help defend Ours is to take up the life that He has given you all as you follow the “narrow path” that the country, Ukraine will not let down its guard. Of course, NATO membership us, victorious over demons and rejoicing leads to salvation. would help ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. with the angels, knowing that none of us is left behind. Basking in the Resurrection With archpastoral blessings, Light that shines forth from the empty Indeed He is Risen! Воістину Воскрес! tomb and filled with the Grace inspired into + YURIJ – Metropolitan us through all the Sacraments, we can work Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada April Turning the pages back... miracles in a world that all too often seems dark and still consumed with death. We are + ANTONY – Metropolitan Five years ago, on April 26, 2016, Ukraine commemorated the victorious in Christ. We can be the light that Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., 26 30th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. transforms the whole world and to all who South America and Diaspora Sirens were sounded in the early morning hours on April 26 choose that darkness. 2016 in Ukraine to mark 30 years since the moment that the first Oh, what opportunity we have in our + JEREMIAH – Archbishop explosion blew the roof off the building housing a reactor at the world’s present circumstances! We are con- Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy Chornobyl nuclear power plant that sent a cloud of radioactive fronted with a pandemic and the isolation of South America material high into the air, drifting into Russia and Belarus and across northern Europe. associated with it, with racial strife and its President Petro Poroshenko, who attended a ceremony on April 26 at the site of the horrific manifestations and with crippling + DANIEL – Archbishop disaster, which is located in the middle of an uninhabitable “exclusion zone,” called the and destructive political division. In all this Ukrainian Orthodox Church event a “catastrophe” and noted that the consequences of Chornobyl had not been we have opportunity to witness to the of the U.S.A. and Diaspora resolved. world as did the new Christians who con- The disaster, he added, has been “a heavy burden on the shoulders of the Ukrainian quered a much darker world in the first + ILARION – Bishop people” and that the country was “still a long way” from overcoming the tragedy. centuries after our Lord’s Ascension to Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada The Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S., in a statement to mark the disaster, called Heaven. When they came together in wor- Chornobyl “the world’s worst accident at a nuclear power plant due to the number of its ship, many times in caves, the space literal- + ANDRIY – Bishop victims and the scale of its effects. It will take many more years and huge resources to ly throbbed with anticipation in the con- Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada finally overcome the effects of the Chornobyl disaster.” The statement by the Embassy of Ukraine also noted that the explosion at Chornobyl in 1986 released nearly 60 tons of radioactive substances into the air, exceeding the release of radioactive material from the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima during the Second Opinions in The Ukrainian Weekly World War. Radiation levels from Chornobyl, the statement added, were not only recorded in the Soviet Union, but also in Western countries; the radioactive cloud also touched the The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor East Coast of the United States. and commentaries on a variety of topics of concern to the The Embassy of Ukraine also highlighted the work of the “liquidators,” or first-respond- Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian communities, ers who were sent to the scene to fight the fires that fueled the release of more radioactive as well as the Ukrainian diaspora. material. Firefighters battled the blazes for more than 10 days, with 31 of the 240 responders succumbing to radiation poisoning, while the remaining firefighters received Opinions expressed by columnists, commentators and letter- high doses of radiation. Their work is credited with preventing an even larger explosion writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opin- from happening. ions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the As of January 2016, Ukraine has registered more than 1.9 million citizens who are iden- Ukrainian National Association. tified as victims of the Chornobyl disaster, including 108,530 disabled and 418,777 chil- dren. More than 35,000 families receive benefits due to the loss of a breadwinner whose Similarly, paid advertisements do not reflect the opinions of death is related to the Chornobyl disaster. either The Weekly or its publisher. Source: “30th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster,” The Ukrainian Weekly, May 1, 2016. No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 7

COMMENTARY Archbishop calls for common date for Easter Trust the medical and public health experts

by Archbishop Job (Getcha) since the Orthodox use old lunation tables The following commentary is signed by to this virus. That is more than twice the to determine the date of the full moon, the authors at the conclusion of this piece. number of people that have died in the dev- The year 2025 will mark the 1,700th which are a few days behind the current astating war in the Donbas. Mr. Putin anniversary of the first ecumenical council, astronomical data, in some cases the For public health and medical profes- would love nothing more than to see thou- the council of Nicaea (325), which initiated Orthodox must wait for the subsequent sionals, there is nothing more frustrating sands more Ukrainians die of a disease that a new chapter in the history of Christianity. Sunday to celebrate Pascha, and this than knowing that members of our own is now becoming preventable. On this occasion, the World Council of explains why there may be a difference of community will fall victim to a deadly dis- There are several steps that we can take Churches is planning to organize a World one week between the Eastern and the ease for which a vaccine is readily available. here in the diaspora that could make a dif- Conference of the Faith and Order Western date of Easter. But in that case, Using 21st century technology, we’ve devel- ference, that could still save thousands of Commission in order to celebrate this anni- according to the astronomic data, the oped life-saving vaccines against the COVID- lives. We call on all our colleagues in the 19 virus – vaccines that have been proven to versary and to reflect on the transmission Orthodox celebrate Pascha on the second Ukrainian Medical Association of America be both safe and effective in preventing or of the apostolic faith today. The purpose of Sunday following the full moon of spring, (UMANA), the Ukrainian World Congress limiting the impact of this disease. this conference will not be to study the his- which also contradicts the principle and other institutions to become outspo- Today, the U.S., Canada, Ukraine and the ken in spreading this message to our fellow tory of the council nor to study its theology, adopted at Nicaea. whole global community is in a race against Ukrainians – both here in North America but rather to reflect on what “visible unity” For these reasons, the question of the time. Millions are being vaccinated each day, and in Ukraine: means today to different Christian revision of the calendar and the common and there is real hope that the end of this Churches and how Christians can collec- date of Easter was raised in the Orthodox pandemic is in sight. But this tremendous keep the coronavirus from dominating us is tively promote, preach and live the apostol- Church on several occasions during the progress could be undone if we refuse to get to get• Please the vaccine get vaccinated. as soon asThe possible, best way and to ic faith today in the context of so many con- 20th century: first by the patriarchal and immunized, and if new, potentially more to prevent any further surges in the pan- temporary challenges, such as seculariza- synodical encyclical of Ecumenical dangerous or resistant variants of the virus demic. Despite all the reports of this being tion and religious pluralism. Patriarch Joachim III addressed in 1902 to emerge. Recently, Dr. Rochelle Wolensky, the a political issue in the U.S., please note that We often forget that the council of all the Primates of the Orthodox director of the U.S. Centers for Disease all our former presidents including Donald Nicaea did not only promulgate a Creed Autocepha­lous Churches, and once again Control and Prevention (CDC), pleaded with Trump and our current President Joe that ought to become universal, but also by the encyclical of the Ecumenical Americans not to be foolish and not to let Biden, have received the vaccine. Political ensured a common celebration of Easter Patriarchate issued in January 1920 down their guard as we enter what we all opponents such as Mitch McConnell and for the entire Christendom. In front of addressed “unto the Churches of Christ hope is the last stage of this pandemic. Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and Kevin division caused by schisms and heresies, it everywhere” calling for the “the accep- Instead of following the advice of public McCarthy have also happily accepted the was then necessary to ensure a common tance of a uniform calendar for the cele- health experts, too many have been swayed vaccine along with numerous other mem- celebration of the Resurrection in order to bration of the great Christian feasts at the by outlandish and bizarre conspiracy theo- bers of Congress, governors and local poli- manifest unity in faith. As we know, in the same time by all the Churches.” The calen- ries promoted by pundits that have no ticians have also made it a point to vacci- pre-Nicene period, there was no such dar reform was subsequently discussed at medical background or credibility in the nate themselves, many of whom are on common date, since some Christians cele- the Pan-Orthodox Congress of field of infectious disease. This is the equiv- opposite ends of the political spectrum. brated Easter alongside with the Jewish Constantinople of 1923, convened by alent of receiving a cancer diagnosis and Actions really do speak louder than words Passover and others celebrated it on the Patriarch Meletios IV of Constantinople, as we can all agree that vaccination will be following Sunday. The rule established at which led to a partial revision of the calen- Memorial Sloan-Kettering the individual our best route to a post-pandemic era. Nicaea was to observe Pascha on the first dar: facing the reluctance of some insteadwould rely of seeking on the judgmenteхpert treatment of witchdoc from- Sunday following the full moon after the Orthodox to adopt the “Roman Catholic” tors and Tarot card readers. work and they are safe. In the U.S., the vac- spring equinox. Thus, the council referred Gregorian calendar, a Serbian astronomer, These misinformation elements are also cines• R developedealize that bythe Pfizer, approved Moderna vaccines and to astronomic data – the equinox and the Milutin Milankovic, proposed a revised in full force in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is Johnson & Johnson have been approved for taking “active measures” to discredit full moon – to determine the date, rather Julian calendar, which was actually more emergency use and have been thoroughly Russia’s vaccine competitors and to under- than to a specific calendar or a particular precise than the Gregorian one, and it was and rigorously tested and have been found mine public confidence in public health pol- to be tremendously effective. Approved feast, such as the Jewish Passover. accepted by some local Orthodox icies, both in Ukraine and across Europe. vaccines in Canada include those devel- Although Nicaea established this rule Churches only for the feasts that are Rather than uniting to promote the vaccina- oped by Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and ensuring a common date of Easter for the observed on the same fixed date every tion effort, politicians in Ukraine as well as Jannsen. The recent U.S. pause of the entire Christendom, unfortunately today year (such as Christmas), but not for the in the United States are using vaccine policy Johnson & Johnson vaccine shows the Christian Churches are divided with Paschal cycle. as a political football. It’s worth considering emphasis on assuring the safety of all vac- regard to the celebration of this great The question of the calendar and the the sobering fact that as of this writing, feast. The reason is that not everyone is common date of Pascha was listed among Ukraine has already lost over 40,000 people (Continued on page 19) using the same tools. Indeed, the Orthodox the 17 topics to be examined by the future still use the Julian calendar, introduced by Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Julius Caesar in 46 B.C., which is at the Church by the inter-Orthodox preparatory pass through the Kerch Strait (see EDM, present moment 13 days behind the astro- committee which met in 1930 at the mon- Russia effectively... March 20, 2019; Interfax, July 16, 2018). But nomic reality, and they also use old luna- astery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos. It was (Continued from page 3) in the months that followed, Russia backed tion tables, leading to a belated date of kept on the list of issues established by the away from such offensive and illegal actions Pascha that may be one week or even one first Pan-Orthodox Conference in Rhodes That led to a 2003 agreement, which, in the and withdrew its Caspian Flotilla ships back month after the Western date of Easter. in 1961 and which launched the process opinion of some analysts, left the sea in a to their home area. While being determined by the Julian of the preparation of the Holy and Great legal limbo and is, today, prompting some Over the next two years, Russia nonethe- calendar, the date of the spring equinox Council of the Orthodox Church and in Ukraine to argue that Kyiv should rely less continued to assert its power to control (March 21) corresponds to April 3 of the remained among the 10 topics on the not on that accord but on the United access to the Sea of Azov by carrying out Gregorian calendar, which is used world- agenda determined at the first pre-concili- Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea inspections that delayed shipping to wide today. Therefore, if the full moon ar pan-Orthodox conference of Chambésy (UNCLOS) agreement both Russia and Ukrainian ports and discouraged interna- appears before this date, the Orthodox in 1976. In preparation for the council, a Ukraine have ratified (Versia, August 19, tional companies from using them. must wait for the following full moon, and specific congress of Orthodox astrono- 2018). Were Kyiv to make such a claim in Moreover, Moscow at various points in this case there will be a difference of one mers met in Chambésy in June 1977 to an international arbitrage court, Moscow declared expansive exclusion zones in the month between Western and Orthodox prepare both a revised calendar, even would certainly respond by suggesting that theater in the name of Russian military Easter, as it will be the case this year. more accurate than the Gregorian one, the Ukrainian side was violating its own exercises (see EDM, January 23, 2020, and According to the astronomic data, the and review the lunation tables according 2003 agreement, a likelihood that may January 14). The current situation is espe- Orthodox then celebrate Pascha on the to the most accurate astronomic data. have restrained some in the West from cially worrisome for three main reasons. Sunday following the second full moon of Unfortunately, the Synaxis of the Primates expressing more support (Gordon, July 11, First, the Caspian Flotilla ships are back. spring, which contradicts the principle of of the Orthodox Churches held in 2018; Krym Realii, September 3, 2018). Second, the FSB vessels that had been in the Nicaea. If the spring full moon appears Chambésy in January 2016 decided to At various times since it occupied Sea of Azov are now acting in direct support after April 3, Christians are supposed to exclude this question from the agenda of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (Svobodnaya celebrate Easter on the same day, as it the council, fearing that a calendar reform Russia has sought to take full control of the Pressa, April 19). And third, what Moscow is indeed happens on occasion. However, would create a new schism within the Sea of Azov or at least put itself in a position doing in the Sea of Azov could provide Orthodox Church. Thus, no decision has to block Ukrainian shipping or the entrance direct support to a land invasion. As a result, been taken on the issue by the Orthodox of any third-party vessels into that body of these latest Russian actions in a body of Archbishop Job (Getcha), who is of to this day. water. In the summer of 2018, for example, water relatively few have focused on Ukrainian Canadian descent, is co-president It is worth mentioning that in 1997 the as it has now done again, Russia introduced demand both greater attention and a tough- of the Joint International Commission for World Council of Churches held a consul- vessels from its Caspian Flotilla into the Sea er response from the West. the theological dialogue between the tation in order to establish a common date of Azov (see EDM, May 31, 2018; Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox for Easter and recommended maintaining Nezavisimaya Gazeta, June 5, 2018). After The article above is reprinted from Church and permanent representative of the Nicene norms (that Easter should fall doing so, Moscow stopped 148 ships sup- Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the World posedly for “inspection” and even attacked its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, Council of Churches in Geneva. (Continued on page 19) three small Ukrainian naval vessels trying to www.jamestown.org. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17 No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 9

Symposium dedicated to St. John Paul II and Ukrainians held in Philadelphia

by Stephen Fartuszok PHILADELPHIA – Year 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s his- toric visit to Ukraine. To commemorate the event, a symposium titled “St. John Paul II and Ukrainians” was held on April 17 in Philadelphia. The event was organized by the St. Sophia Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics, Inc., the Basilian Spirituality Center and Sisters of St. Basil the Great, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union. Students of the Ukrainian Heritage School participated in the event via Zoom. The opening prayer was conducted by Most Rev. Borys Gudziak, metropolitan- archbishop of Philadelphia and metropoli- tan for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the U.S.A., who also offered personal remarks Stephen Fartuszok on St. John Paul II’s visit in June 2001. Symposium participants gather for a group photo at the conclusion of the event on April 17. “It changed Ukrainian history,” Archbishop Gudziak said. “It contributed to its fruits are still coming forth.” popes have always been a voice for the Leo XIII until Pope St. John Paul II, there the spirit that emerged during the Orange In his talk during the symposium, “The voiceless. Specifically, they have helped the have been examples of the papacy using its Revolution in 2004 and Revolution of Popes and the UGCC in America 1884- Ukrainian Catholic Church establish itself in influence to speak for the Eastern Catholic Dignity in 2013-2014. It was prophetic, and 2001,” Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak stated that the the United States of America. From Pope Churches in the U.S. Although this influence was not always timely or even sufficient – it was there, the Rev. Kaszczak said. The Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ukraine took notice of the power of the papacy and would suggest certain structural changes for the United States. These suggestions came as early as 1903 and were addressed to Pope Leo XIII. The papacy defended the rights of Eastern Catholics in the United States when they had few other advocates. This influence was acknowledged by the Ukrainian Catholic Church in both Ukraine and the United States. In assessing the potential impact on Ukraine of Pope St. John Paul II’s thinking, Most Rev. Borys Gudziak, metropolitan- Dr. Andrew Sorokowski explored how the archbishop of Philadelphia and metro- pontific deals in his encyclicals and other politan for the Ukrainian Catholic Dr. Jonathan Peri, president of Manor Dr. Iryna Ivankovych Church in the U.S.A. College. (Continued on page 14)

Dzherelo in Lviv set to open new branches, continuing to help the city’s special needs children

by Bohdan Kolos For over 25 years, Dzherelo Children’s Rehabilitation Center has been operating as TORONTO – Dzherelo Children’s Rehab an independent facility in Lviv, focusing on Center in Lviv is growing by offering new, the consultation, rehabilitation treatment, smaller branches. No longer are all pro- education and counselling of both children grams being delivered from the one center with special needs and their families. For on Chervonoyi Kalyny Avenue. Dzherelo too long, many of these children had been continues to expand and develop with hidden from mainstream society, locked up smaller compact settings, and a new sixth in homes and prevented from attending satellite branch will offer improved pro- school. So, while Ukraine’s education sys- gramming to Lviv’s children with special tem is slowly adapting to providing inclu- needs. sive education that is close to the homes of

Dzherelo Rehabilitation physiotherapists work with a student.

children with special needs, Dzherelo is sizes, which in these times make their envi- also making strides in this direction. ronments safer. The new Dzherelo smaller satellite The Dzherelo team is constantly work- branches are in residential neighborhoods ing on updating and improving their pro- outside of the Lviv city center, offering ser- grams. Since 2018, they have opened five vices closer to the homes where children satellite branches in different areas of Lviv. live. These new satellite projects are neces- The satellites and expansion of programs sary to reduce the stressful, costly and are only possible with the financial support lengthy travel times these children would of the city council, other government agen- otherwise face, and will ultimately improve cies and community fundraising. Together Creative art classes with therapists at Dzherelo help students overcome physical dis- the families’ quality of life. The settings abilities. have the advantage of having smaller group (Continued on page 13) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17

The Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Association and the UNA’s newspapers, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly

extend best wishes for a Happy Easter to the leaders of Ukrainian Churches; Ukrainian organizations; the UNA General Assembly; District Committees; Branches and members; readers of the UNA publications, as well as Ukrainian communities in the diaspora and Ukraine. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

З нагоди Свята Воскресіння, Пластова Станиця у Бостоні, MA вітає всю Українську громаду Бостону і пластову родину нашої станиці. Христос Воскрес! Воістину Воскрес!

Станична Старшина Пластової Станиці Бостон

Знайдіть нас на Facebook – Plast Boston No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 11 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17

Радісних Свят Воскресіння Христового to family and friends, родині, приятелям, знайомим, members of the UNA General Assembly, головному урядові УНСоюзу, Branch Secretaries, and all UNA employees. працівникам, управам округ та відділів Yuriy and Nataliya Symczyk щиро бажають with children Victoria and Diana

Стефан і Святослава Качараї з родиною

Rejoice! СТАНИЧНА СТАРШИНА May the Lord’s blessings bring ПЛАСТОВОЇ СТАНИЦІ you joy and peace this Easter! В НЬЮ-ЙОРКУ бажає Christ has Risen! УКРАЇНСЬКІЙ ГРОМАДІ, ПЛАСТОВІЙ ФУНДАЦІЇ, СВОЇМ ЖЕРТВОДАВЦЯМ ТА УСІМ ПЛАСТУНАМ І ПРИЯТЕЛЯМ ПЛАСТУ the Doll Family – Irene and Ron, РАДІСНОГО СВЯТА with Lida, Yarema, ВОСКРЕСІННЯ Melasia and Andrij ХРИСТОВОГО www.plastnyc.org

КРАЙОВА УПРАВА СПІЛКИ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ МОЛОДІ В АМЕРИЦІ e Ukrainian Catholic University бажає and the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation wish you much happiness during this joyous time. Ієрархам Українських Церков, Світовій Управі СУМ, May the miracle of this Easter season bless your всім Управам Осередків та Булавам Відділів Юнацтва СУМ, ХристосХристос Воскрес! Воскрес! Christ Christ is is risen! risen! членам і прихильникам та Христосheart, Воскрес! your home and Christ those you love!is risen! Українському Народові в Україні і в діаспорі мирних і радісних Великодніх Свят.

ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! ВОІСТИНУ ВОСКРЕС! За Крайову Управу СУМ: Адріян Длябога, Голова Оля Тимош, Секретар

ФЕДЕРАЛЬНА КРЕДИТОВА КООПЕРАТИВА „САМОПОМІЧ“ у Клівленді, Огайо CSFCU з нагоди СВІТЛОГО ХРИСТОВОГО ВОСКРЕСІННЯ в і т а є Український народ у вільній Україні, Ієрархів і Духовенство Українських Церков, Проводи українських організацій в Україні та в діяспорі, Українську світову Кооперативну Раду та Централю Українських Кооператив Америки, всіх своїх членів та все українське громадянство.

Небеса Небеса достойно достойнодостойно нехай нехай Visitнехай веселяться, веселяться, веселяться, us at земля земля земля ж ж нехай жнехай нехай радіє,радіє, радіє, ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! нехайнехай святкує святкуєсвяткує увесь увесьувесь видимий видимий видимий світ світ світ і невидимий,і невидимий,і невидимий, Христос Христос Христос бобо бо Дирекція, Комітети воскрес — радістьwww.ucef.org вічна! й Працівники воскресвоскрес — радість— радість вічна! вічна! —— Пасхальна —Пасхальна Пасхальна утреня, утреня, утреня, пісняпісня пісня 11 1

УкраїнськийУкраїнський Католицький КатолицькийКатолицький Університет Університет Університет і Українська і Українськаі Українська Католицька Католицька Католицька ОсвітняОсвітня Освітня Фундація бажають Вам світлих і радісних Великодніх свят. Нехай ФундаціяФундація бажають бажають Вам Вам світлих світлих і радісних і радісних Великодніх Великодніх свят. свят. Нехай Нехай Воскреслий Господь благословляє Ваші серця, Ваш дім та Ваших близьких! ВоскреслийВоскреслий Господь Господь благословляє благословляє Ваші Ваші серця, серця, Ваш Ваш дім дім та Вашихта Ваших близьких! близьких! Завітайте до нас www.ucef.org або телефонуйте 1-773-235-8462 (USA), ЗавітайтеЗавітайте до нас до насwww.ucef.org www.ucef.org або аботелефонуйте телефонуйте 1-773-235-8462 1-773-235-8462 (USA), (USA), 1-866-871-8007 (CANADA) 1-866-871-80071-866-871-8007 (CANADA) (CANADA) No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 13

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE St. Sophia Association holds virtual poetry recital contest honoring Natalka Bilotserkivets at St. Basil Academy

St. Sophia Religious Association Press Bureau Anastasiya Bloshchynska (left) won the competition, while Madeline Zetick (second from the right) took second place, Natalie Hrytsay (second from the left) won third place, and Alexandra Penkalskyj, vice-principal of St. Basil Academy, helped judge the contest.

JENKINTOWN, Pa. – Students of St. Basil country of their ancestors, where God is Academy in Jenkintown, Pa., participated in greeted with pussy willows, and spring a virtual poetry recital contest honoring reminds some and promises others the Ukrainian poetess Natalka Bilotserkivets first snowdrops and the first kisses.” on April 13. The competition was orga- The competition was judged by Iryna nized by the Josyf Slipyj Research Center Ivankovych, president of the St. Sophia under the aegis of St. Sophia Religious Religious Association, and Alexandra Association of Ukrainian Catholics, Inc. Penkalskyj, vice-principal of St. Basil Anastasiya Bloshchynska (grade 12) Academy. The judges graded each perfor- won the competition, while Madeline mance on the fluency of the recital, clarity Zetick (grade 12) took second place and of pronunciation, intonation, artistic per- Natalie Hrytsay (grade 11) won third place. formance and expression. Following the competition, Ms. All of the participants in the competition Bilotserkivets addressed the contest partic- were congratulated on their excellent per- ipants. formance and were awarded commemora- “I don’t know if any of today’s readers tive certificates and gifts. The sponsors of compose poetry and consider themselves the event presented the winners with priz- poets, but I would like you to find in my es. This was the sixth poetry recital contest poems something close and meaningful for organized by the St. Sophia Association for you,” said Ms. Bilotserkivets. “Maybe it will students of St. Basil Academy. be a feeling of the only land where we all live – a specific home, street, city, the coun- Source: St. Sophia Religious Association tries of your residence – and the distant Press Bureau.

requires about $23,000 (500,000 hrv) to Dzherelo... furnish the premises with specially adapted (Continued from page 9) furniture, a projector, a computer, as well as some mobile and ceiling lifts. with each partner’s contribution, it is possi- To ensure funding and that this expan- ble to renovate, furnish and install the facil- sion project is completed, Canadian donors ities’ special equipment. Only then can the have volunteered to supply the required staff, trained at Dzherelo, begin taking in portion of the costs, as indicated by the Lviv and integrating the children planning to Oblast Council’s budget proposal. Druzi attend. Dzherela, through the Canada-Ukraine With five branch satellites operating, the Foundation (CUF), is committed to provid- next challenge is expanding Dzherelo ing the promised community contribution Center’s programs by opening branch No. 6 funds. in Vynnyky (a suburb of Lviv). The facility Readers can donate to this worthwhile will have a total area of nearly 300 square project through Druzi Dzherela in Toronto meters and offer daycare programs for 10 with the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s younger children plus 10 youths with spe- help. Contributions will ensure the success- cial needs living nearby. The availability of ful and timely completion of Dzherelo satel- services close to home is paramount for the lite branch No. 6, which will benefit of children and their families’ health and wel- Lviv’s special needs children. fare. For more information about Dzherelo, Lviv City Council has made a specific readers may visit the website at www. funding decision to allocate an appropriate dzherelocentre.org.ua. To donate, readers building for use by Dzherelo. The local city may contact the Canada-Ukraine administration provided such a building, Foundation at https://www.cufoundation. and, in due course, other government agen- ca/dzherelo-childrens-rehabilitation-cen- cies were also committed to funding the tre/, or they can send a check to the costs involved in building improvements Canada-Ukraine Foundation, Dzherelo and specific adaptations. Fund, 620 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON, Dzherelo satellite branch No. 6 now Canada, M5S 2H4. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17

Philadelphia community collects winter jackets for children in Ukraine PHILADELPHIA – St. Vladimir May. The jackets will be shipped in July. Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Readers are also invited to donate funds Philadelphia announces a “Jackets for so jackets can be purchased on your Children” drive that aims to collect more behalf or to offset the cost of shipping. З нагоди than 500 new winter jackets for boys and For additional information, readers girls ages 2-8 to send to children in may contact Jurij Trypupenko, 212-435- Христового Воскресіння Ukraine. 2799 or e-mail, [email protected]; Donations began to be collected in or Ruslana Korotinsky, 212-817-0723, or Екзекутива та Рада Директорів March, and the collection period ends in e-mail, [email protected]. Злученого Українського Американського Допомогового Комітету Symposium... шле щирий привіт і святочні побажання Ієрархам (Continued from page 9) і духовенству Українських Церков, нашим добродіям writings with three binaries (that is, duali- і жертводавцям, членам ЗУАДК-у і всім нашим ties or dichotomies) in the areas of philoso- phy, socio-economic teaching and ecumen- братам і сестрам по цілому світі. ism. These writings are generally known in Нехай Всемогучий Господь обдарує всіх щедрими ласками. Ukraine. First, John Paul demonstrates that the supposed philosophical contradiction Христос Воскрес! Воістину Воскрес! between faith and reason is false, Mr. Sorokowski said. This has important impli- Екзекутива ЗУАДК-у cations for any post-Marxist society like Ukraine, as well as for today’s world in gen- eral. Second, he shows that the socio-eco- United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc. nomic opposition between communism 1206 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111 and contemporary capitalism is best Stephen Fartuszok Tel. 215-728-1630 • Fax. 215-728-1631 regarded from the standpoint of Catholic Prof. Leonid Rudnytzky e-mail: [email protected] • web site: www.uuarc.org social teaching, which charts an alternative course. Such a course offers guidance for novel, Ms. Ivankovych said. Letters and the development of Ukraine’s oligarchic- communication between John Paul II and capitalist economy in a more humane and Josyf Slipyj were vibrant and multifaceted. equitable direction. Finally, in his writings They wrote to one another in Polish, John Paul approaches the cultural aspect of Ukrainian, Italian or Latin. The common the East-West church binary by affirming Slavic roots were a reason for pride of both the value of both Eastern and Western hierarchs. John Paul II failed to recognize ecclesial traditions, while he resolves the the patriarchate of the UGCC. He also ecclesiological aspect by way of his ecu- appointed as Slipyj’s successor Myroslav menical vision. This vision is especially Ivan Lubachivsky, not Lubomyr Husar who applicable to contemporary Ukraine, with was proposed by Cardinal Slipyj. One can her ecumenically minded Orthodox and only suspect that this decision was heavily Catholic leaders. In all three areas, Pope St. influenced by the Vatican nomenclature John Paul II’s thinking calls for Christian and its Ostpolitik, Ms. Ivankovych said. Yet, humanism and a civilization of love, Mr. the most significant expression of John Paul Sorokowski said. II’s friendly predisposition towards Josyf Dr. Iryna Ivankovych drew parallels Slipyj as his Slavic brother can be found in between John Paul II and Patriarch Josyf Patriarch Slipyj’s funeral services. Pope Slipyj. To name a few: profound faith in John Paul II died on April 2, 2005. He was God; charisma; polyglotism; missionary beatified on May 1, 2011, and canonized on З нагоди spirit; ecumenism; fight for national inde- April 27, 2014. The heroic virtues of the pendence and religious freedom; courage. prisoner of the Soviet camps, Servant of Both John Paul II and Josyf Slipyj were tar- God, Patriarch of the Underground Church СВІТЛОГО ПРАЗНИКА gets of the KGB. Cardinal Slipyj spent 18 Josyf Slipyj, as well as the virtues of his pre- ВОСКРЕСІННЯ ХРИСТОВОГО years in Gulag camps (1945-1963); Karol decessor Venerable Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky have not yet been properly rec- Polish Secret Service since 1953. Last but ognized by the Vatican, Ms. Ivankovych said. щиро вітаємо notWojtyła least, wasthe two under were surveillance connected by of the Prof. Leonid Rudnytzky shared his mem- bestselling novel “The Shoes of the ories of several encounters with John Paul СВОЇХ ЧЛЕНІВ, УКРАЇНСЬКУ ГРОМАДУ, а зокрема Fisherman” by the Australian writer Morris II on three continents – Australia, North West published in 1963. America and Europe. НАЧАЛЬНОГО ПЛАСТУНА, ПЛАСТОВІ ПРОВОДИ, Although erroneously, contemporary “My brief encounters with the Holy УПРАВУ ПЛАСТ-ПРИЯТУ, ВСІХ ФУНДАТОРІВ, journalists search for a prophecy of electing Father left me with a great sense of satis- ДОБРОДІЇВ та ЖЕРТВОДАВЦІВ faction,” Prof. Rudnytzky said. “At that time, of course, I did not suspect that I had been Cardinal Karol Wojtyła as pope in West’s speaking with a future saint; but, as I recall, I savored the pleasant, rewarding experi- ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! ence of having talked with an erudite man, whose thoughts were both intellectually stimulating and spiritually uplifting. There ВОІСТИНУ ВОСКРЕС! was no doubt in my mind that I was in the presence of a man of God, who had success- fully integrated faith with reason, experi- ence with aspiration, and who stood on ДИРЕКЦІЯ ПЛАСТОВОЇ firm philosophical ground while at the same time conscious of his limitations as a ФУНДАЦІЇ В НЮ-ЙОРКУ human being,” Prof. Rudnytzky said. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Jonathan Peri, president of Manor College. Bishop Andriy Rabiy closed the event with a prayer.

Source: St. Sophia Religious Association Dr. Andrew Sorokowski Press Bureau. No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 15

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ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! Члени Дирекції, комісії та працівники Запрошуємо Вас і Вашу родину, що мешкають Федеральної Кредитової Кооперативи СУМА в околицях Ню-Інґланд, завітати до нашої Кредитівки. Дозвольте нам полагодити Ваші фінансові справи. SUMA (YONKERS) FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 125 Corporate Blvd, Yonkers, NY 10701 1-800-644-SUMA • 914-220-4900 [email protected] 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17

ue to arrive near Ukraine’s borders and are were being proposed or are under consid- areas of eastern Ukraine, where in recent NEWSBRIEFS expected to reach a combined force of more eration. Diplomats suggested that for the months violations of the cease-fire have (Continued from page 2) than 120,000 troops in about a week. He moment the EU would seek to apply pres- multiplied, and I observe with great appre- said the military buildup includes para- sure on Russia through more diplomacy. hension the increase of military activities,” clear that there will be “dire consequences” troopers, electronic warfare systems, ballis- Top political advisers to the leaders of Pope Francis told several hundred people if it continues its buildup of Russian troops. tic missiles and other potentially offensive Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany held gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “I firmly “Moscow should hear from every corner, capabilities. “This does not mean they will separate talks under the so-called hope that the increase of tensions may be that it’s not two sides, Ukraine and Russia, stop building up their forces at that num- Normandy Format, but diplomats said they avoided and, on the contrary, gestures may who bear responsibility for the escalation,” ber,” Mr. Kuleba said. He acknowledged yielded no tangible results. Mr. Kuleba also be made that are capable of promoting Mr. Kuleba said in a conference call with that when he called for an increase in sanc- said he wanted a diplomatic solution but mutual trust and fostering reconciliation reporters. “History proves that only painful tions at a meeting with his EU counterparts that Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei and peace, so necessary and so desired,” he economic sanctions can make a difference.” during a videoconference on April 19, they Lavrov declined a request for talks. The added. The pope also addressed the situa- The cost of preventing Russia’s further did not show much interest, but he con- minister said that while Ukraine does not tion facing civilians in eastern Ukraine, escalation will be lower than the cost of cluded that they understand that “sectoral want conflict with Russia, the country has where seven years of conflict have left 3.4 stopping it and mitigating its consequenc- sanctions are a matter of time and Russia’s experienced Moscow’s unpredictability million people in need of humanitarian aid es, he said, adding that it is critically impor- behavior.” After the videoconference on under President Vladimir Putin. “We in and protection, according to the U.N. At the tant to signal this now to influence calcula- April 19, EU foreign policy chief Josep Ukraine have learned one thing about Mr. end, he asked believers to pray for the suf- tions in Moscow. The Ukrainian foreign Borrell called on Russia to pull back its Putin’s actions. This lesson is that anything fering population. The United States and affairs minister said Russian troops contin- troops. Mr. Borrell said no further sanctions can be expected from the Russian leader- NATO say the Russian military buildup is ship,” he said, pointing to Russia’s annexa- the largest since 2014, when Moscow ille- tion of Crimea in 2014. Mr. Kuleba also said gally annexed Crimea and backed separat- Russia’s military buildup is driven by Mr. ists in the east of Ukraine in a conflict that Putin’s desire to resolve the conflict in the has killed more than 13,000 people. The Donbas in his country’s favor by ultimatum Kremlin has rejected Western calls to pull TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 and to bolster domestic support in the face back its troops from the border region, or e-mail [email protected] of declining ratings. He also wants to show denying they are a threat and adding that that Russia can disregard Western condem- military movements within Russia are a nations over its “malign” activities, he said. sovereign, internal issue. (RFE/RL, based SERVICES PROFESSIONALS (RFE/RL, with reporting by Reuters and on reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters and AFP) Vatican News) ОКСАНА СТАНЬКО Ukrainian sentenced in U.S. hacking case Russia and Ukraine expel diplomats Ліцензований продавець Страхування Життя Ukrainian national Fedir Hladyr has been Russia has announced that it has OKSANA STANKO sentenced to 10 years in prison in the expelled a Ukrainian consul in St. Licensed Life Insurance Agent United States after pleading guilty to partici- Petersburg, Oleksandr Sosoniuk, after Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. pating in the FIN7 hacking group. Mr. detaining the diplomat on suspicion of try- Tel.: 908-872-2192 Hladyr, 35, was sentenced in the northwest- ing to obtain classified information. Mr. ern U.S. city of Seattle on April 16, according email: [email protected] Sosoniuk, who was detained on April 17 to a news release by the U.S. Justice before being released and returned to the Department. He was arrested in Dresden, consulate, must leave Russian territory by Germany, in 2018 and extradited to the April 22, the Russian Foreign Affairs United States. In September 2019, he con- Ministry said in statement. Russia’s Federal fessed to serving as a manager and systems Security Service (FSB) accused Mr. Sosoniuk administrator for FIN7 and pleaded guilty of attempting to obtain information from to one count of conspiracy to commit wire Russian law enforcement databases during fraud and one count of conspiracy to com- a meeting with an unidentified Russian citi- mit computer hacking. He originally faced zen. The Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry, 26 criminal counts before he agreed to which protested its diplomat’s detention as plead guilty and pay $2.5 million in restitu- “illegal,” said it had expelled a senior tion. The 10-year sentence includes the Russian diplomat in response, without iden- three years Mr. Hadyr has already spent in tifying the individual. “We totally exclude OPPORTUNITIES custody. The Justice Department estimates the charges pressed against the consular PERSONAL that the FIN7 hacker group “caused over a officer. Those actions of the Russian authori- billion dollars in losses to Americans and ties grossly violate the Vienna Convention EARN EXTRA INCOME! costs to the U.S. economy.” Prosecutors at on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the A 35 y.o. highly educated and good The Ukrainian Weekly is looking the hearing said this was a “conservative Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of looking man wishes to meet a lady for advertising sales agents. estimate” and that the actual losses could be 1963 and again prove the policy of further of Ukrainian descent for a long- For additional information contact between $3 billion and $6 billion. The group aggravation with Ukraine chosen by Russia,” term relationship. Please email: Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, breached computer networks in all 50 U.S. the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry said [email protected] The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. states and the District of Columbia and stole in a statement. The developments come at a more than 20 million credit-card records. time of heightened tensions between the (RFE/RL, with reporting by Cyberscoop) two countries, with Moscow amassing mili- Pope voices concern over tensions tary forces near their mutual border and in KULINSKI MEMORIALS the Russian-annexed Ukrainian region of 809 SOUTH MAIN STREET • MANVILLE, NJ 08835 Pope Francis has expressed concern Crimea. Relations between Kyiv and Tel. 800-458-5467 • 908-722-3130 • Fax 908-253-0027 over military activity in eastern Ukraine Moscow have been strained since Russia [email protected] • KulinskiMemorials.com and called for de-escalation and peace amid annexed the Crimea region in 2014 and rising tensions between Ukraine and began providing military, economic, and • Serving Ukrainian families for over 60 years Russia. The pontiff’s comments on April 18 political support to separatists in parts of • Over 40 granite colors to choose from at the Vatican come as Ukraine and eastern Ukraine. More than 13,000 people • Custom etchings Western powers accuse Russia of a provoc- have been killed in the conflict in eastern • House appointments available ative military buildup near Ukraine’s bor- Ukraine since April 2014. More than 25 • Serving the tri-state area ders and in occupied Crimea. A fragile Ukrainian soldiers have been reported • 5 minutes from St. Andrew Ukrainian Cemetery cease-fire in eastern Ukraine between gov- killed since the start of the year, compared in South Bound Brook, NJ ernment forces and Moscow-backed sepa- with 50 in all of 2020, when fighting in the ratists has also unraveled in recent weeks, conflict subsided as a new cease-fire deal leaving at least 30 Ukrainian soldiers killed came into force in July. (RFE/RL, with since the start of the year. “I am following reporting by AFP, TASS, Interfax and with deep concern the events in several Reuters) 1152 Route 10 West, Suite N, Randolph, NJ 07869 862-219-5344 YAROSLAVA TKACHUK, Realtor Real estate sale and purchase in Hunter, NY, and surrounding area.

Cell: 518-653-7742 Email: [email protected] No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 17

FENCING and lots of skating, he looked a bit rusty, although he showed good energy on a cou- Ukraine’s cadets and juniors win bronze ple of shifts. Hawryluk was a scorer in Ukraine’s junior women’s foil team junior, but his role in the pros evolved into (Kateryna Budenko, Kristina Petrova, Alina that of a gritty winger who plays with end- Poloziuk and Olga Sopit) won bronze at the less energy at the bottom of the lineup. He 2021 Junior and Cadet World Fencing never meshed with the coaches in Florida, Championships on April 3-11 in Cairo. The who drafted him in 2014, a few picks women’s team lost the semifinal against before the Canucks were set to pick. He fin- Russia 37-45. Anastasiia Zelentsova tied ished 2019-2020 with Ottawa and enjoyed with Kim So-hui of South Korea for bronze more success there, notching seven points in the junior women’s individual épée in 11 games. Canucks GM Jim Benning had event, and Valeriia Prochenko tied for his eye on Hawryluk at the 2014 draft, but bronze with Dariya Drozd of Russia in the with the Ukrainian already taken, he opted junior women’s individual saber event. for goaltender Thatcher Demko (not Zelentsova lost 11-15 against Jessica Lin of Ukrainian). Benning was quick to grab the U.S.A. in the semifinal, and Prochenko Hawryluk as a free agent last fall, not the lost 13-15 in the semifinal against Hayoung sport.gov.ua first time the GM has acquired a player Jeon of South Korea. Kamila Konotop sweeps three gold medals in the women’s 55-kg division at the years after first casting his eye on him. No European Weightlifting Championships in Moscow. matter his own history or the GM’s, Jayce BASKETBALL Hawryluk is trying to prove that his energy Mykhailiuk traded to Thunder he’s hitting only 31.7 percent from three- HOCKEY can be a difference maker. He prides him- point range – that makes him such a valu- self in always giving 110 percent. The Detroit Pistons traded Sviatoslav able big man. Despite his poor shooting this Hawryluk skating with Canucks Mykhailiuk and a 2027 second-round draft Devil Zajac now an Islander year, the Rockets got a guy who has Jayce Hawryluk’s start to the season pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in NHL trade deadline activity began a bit knocked down enough three-pointers (36.5 hardly went according to plan. Signed in exchange for Hamidou Diallo on March 12. early for the New York Islanders, who percent career) that he still earns respect the off-season to provide depth energy for This move continues general manager Trey geared up to make a serious run for the from opposing defenses, and on the defen- Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Weaver’s aggressive remake of the roster Stanley Cup, adding two offensive weapons sive end he has been known to pick up a Green, he was hurt in the team’s final which started last November. Mykhailiuk, to improve their chances. In a major move key charge or two. The Houston organiza- scrimmage of training camp in a mid-ice 23, is the third player to depart this season made on April 7, the Islanders acquired for- tion, however, is rebuilding and the collision with Tyler Motte. The undisclosed after the Pistons reached a buyout with wards Kyle Palmieri and Ukrainian Travis 29-year-old Olynyk may not fit their plans. injury was rumored to be either a concus- Blake Griffin and traded Derek Rose to the Zajac from the New Jersey Devils in It has been rumored Olynyk may hit the sion, shoulder or something else. At the New York Knicks. Mykhailiuk, a third-year exchange for two minor leaguers and two buyout market as he is in the final year of time, he left the ice needing assistance and guard/forward and previously the longest- draft picks. The Devils agreed to cover 50 his current contract and is set to become an certainly did not look comfortable. Six tenured member of the team, was mired in percent of both Palmieri’s and Zajac’s sala- unrestricted free agent at the end of this weeks later he finally suited up for his new a prolonged shooting slump this season ries. General Manager Lou Lamoriello con- after knocking down 40.4 percent of his 2020-2021 season. If he were to hit the club, although he only got six shifts and three-pointers a year ago. Through his 36 buyout market, he would certainly help a three minutes and 28 seconds of ice time in games with Detroit, he averaged 6.9 points playoff team looking to shore up their his first game. Despite many good practices (Continued on page 19) and 1.6 assists while shooting 37.7 percent frontcourt. Olynyk (6-foot-11, 240 pounds) overall and 33.3 percent from three-point was originally the 13th overall pick by land. He has shown flashes as an all-around Dallas in the 2013 NBA Draft before his player in 2020-2021, but struggled with rights were acquired by Boston. In 543 consistency, drifting up and down coach career games with 141 starts (before being Dwane Casey’s rotation this year. traded to Houston), Olynyk averaged 9.7 Mykhailiuk is considered a better position- points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Going al fit along the Thunder’s perimeter, and back to 2017-2018, Olynyk is the only play- will get a chance to make a positive impres- er in the NBA to have averaged at least 10 sion with his new squad prior to becoming points, five rebounds, two assists and 1.5 В ДЕСЯТУ НЕВИМОВНО БОЛЮЧУ РІЧНИЦЮ a restricted free agent this summer. His sal- three-pointers made in fewer than 28.0 відходу у вічність нашого найдорожчого ary is $1,663,861 in the final year of his minutes per game. He has the fourth-most БАТЬКА, ДІДУСЯ І ВУЙКА three-year rookie contract he signed with three-pointers made (645) of any player in the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. In NBA history listed 6-foot-11 or taller. св. п. ВАСИЛЯ ВІНТОНІВ Mykhailiuk’s first game with the Thunder, he focused on ball movement, not wanting POWERLIFTING (12 травня 1923 р. - 26 квітня 2011 р.) to disrupt the flow. He simply wanted to Ukraine tops medals table in Moscow learn how his teammates play and how he Поминальні Служби Божі з Панахидами could fit in. (He didn’t score in 16 minutes Ukraine’s weightlifters won first place in будуть відправлені за спокій Його душі of action.) In his second game, he played a the medals standings with 10 gold, three more active and aggressive role in the silver and four bronze medals at the 2021 В АМЕРИЦІ offense, seeing how the guys played, figur- European Weightlifting Championships in • в церкві св. Миколая в Пасейку, Н. Дж. ing out how he could contribute. (He had Moscow on April 3-11. Ukraine’s women’s • в церкві Успіння Пресвятої Богородиці в Бейоні, Н. Дж. 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and team finished in third place with 600 В УКРАЇНІ a steal in 21 minutes.) In the third game, he points. Kamila Konotop and Iryna Dekha • в Соборі св. Юра, Львів made clear he had not yet shown quite swept gold medals in their respective • у Львівській Семінарії, Львів everything he could do for the Thunder in weight divisions. Konotop (55 kg) won gold • у Гошівському монастирі, Гошів the previous contest. Against the in the women’s snatch (95 kg), the clean & • у церкві св. Миколая, Солуків Minnesota Timberwolves on March 22, jerk (113 kg), and in the total (208 kg); and • у церкві Різдва Пресвятої Богородиці, Заріччя Mykhailiuk erupted to throw down a mon- Dekha (73 kg) won in the snatch (113 kg), ster slam that shocked Thunder Twitter. the clean & jerk (135 kg), and in the total Просимо про молитви за вічний спокій Його душі. One of the more outrageous tweets was (248 kg). Alina Marushchak (81 kg) won from Charles Coryell: “Svi is literally the gold in the snatch (109 kg) and the total доня Леся Албизаті з чоловіком Данилом Ukrainian LeBron.” The Thunder went on (236 kg) and bronze in the clean & jerk онуки Никола з дружиною Кейтлин to win the game, 112-103, as Mykhailiuk (127 kg). Anastasiya Lysenko (+87 kg) Марко з дружиною Александрoю. finished with 10 points. swept silver medals in the snatch (116 kg), Вічна Йому пам’ять! the clean & jerk (136 kg), and in the total Olynyk a rocket man Нехай пам’ять про Покійного залишиться в наших серцях, (252 kg). Anhelina Lomachynska (45 kg) а душа Його буде прийнята у небесні хороми.’ The Houston Rockets obtained won bronze in the women’s snatch (67 kg). Ukrainian Canadian forward Kelly Olynyk In the men’s division, Dmytro Chumak (109 Все, що мав у житті, він віддав Смирітеся, молітесь Богу in a trade deadline deal with the Miami kg) won gold in the clean & jerk (226 kg) Для одної ідеї І згадуйте один другого. Heat on March 25. Olynyk leaves a team and in the total (407 kg); and Dmytro І горів, і яснів, і страждав, Свою Україну любіть, which was in the NBA Finals a year ago, Voronovskyi (55 kg) won bronze in the І трудився для неї Любіть її... Во время люте, going to a team that looks bound for the clean & jerk (137 kg) and in the total (247 Іван Франко В останню тяжкую мінуту NBA Draft Lottery. This season Olynyk has kg). Ukraine was represented by 16 ath- За неї Господа моліть! enjoyed some positive moments, but has letes, and the competition attracted 315 Тарас Шевченко struggled to find the long-range touch – competitors from 38 countries. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17

Chrebet is the ultimate rags-to-riches story Coming out of high school in Garfield, N.J., he was not recruited by any Division I football schools, so he settled on most popular in the history of the storied nearby Hofstra University, only to become a surprise star, Jet• franchise. His No. 80 His jersey jersey ranks is stillas one worn of theby setting numerous receiving records. He was not regarded fans at training camp and home games at as an NFL prospect and thus was not selected in the 1995 the Meadowlands. NFL draft. He secured a tryout with the Canadian Football League’s Baltimore Stallions, but was released after one Award for his outstanding efforts both on day. He earned a long-shot walk-on opportunity with the and• offHonored the field/serving with the Thurman the community Munson New York Jets where he was listed 11th out of 11 on the in 2000. team’s wide receiver depth chart. To add insult to injury, He often noted that no matter what he Wayne Chrebet was detained at the front gate on his first had to overcome in his NFL career, it day of training camp by a veteran Jets security guard who paled when compared to what his father did not believe Chrebet was a football player due to his had to overcome as a Purple Heart recipi- smallish frame. It took a New York Jet team official to ent in the Vietnam War. authorize him as a legitimate walk-on and gain him During his career he caught passes from entrance to the training complex. 13 different players (12 QB’s): Boomer What followed was one of the greatest rags to riches sto- Esiason, Bubby Brister, Glenn Foley, Frank ries in the history of professional sports as Ukrainian Reich, Neil O’Donnell, Ray Lucas, Vinny Chrebet worked his way up the depth chart from 11th to Testaverde, Rick Mirer, Tom Tupa, Curtis actually make the team. He not only made the active roster, Martin (running back), Chad Pennington, but became one of the most exciting players in the history Quincy Carter and Brooks Bollinger. of the New York Jet franchise. Chrebet set the NFL record He also suffered nine concussions dur- for most receptions by a wide receiver in his first two sea- ing his 11-year career. sons. He earned the nickname “Mr. Third Down” because Chrebet is one of 16 ex-players to be 379 of his 580 career catches were first downs. Among all- enshrined in the New York Jets Ring of newyorkjets.com time NFL players who were not drafted, Chrebet owns the Honor, gaining this exclusive membership Wayne Chrebet, playing for the New York Jets, evades a tackle while third-most receptions in the history of the league behind in 2014. In his 11 seasons from 1995 to playing against the Miami Dolphins. only Rod Smith and Gary Clark. He gained his legendary 2005, this wide receiver caught 580 pass- status through his work ethic and performance, not his es for 7,365 yards (12.7 average per what it’s like to drive to a game, everybody with your jersey mouth. He prided himself on being respectful, values he catch) and 41 touchdowns. All-time team rankings have on, hearing the ‘Jets’ chant, being the center of that, it’s learned from his parents. His career ended on November 6, him third in yardage, second in receptions, third in touch- been the greatest 11 years of my life.” “I think it’s just 2005, in a game against the San Diego Chargers when he downs and fifth in games played. The NFL Network gave human nature, when you get backed into a corner, no one sustained a concussion on a clean play. His final third-down Chrebet some huge recognition in 2009, naming him the believes in you anymore, the chips are down. If you’re any catch was good for a first down – he was knocked uncon- tenth best undrafted player in NFL history. kind of competitor, that’s when you’ll come out and play scious and lay on the ground for several minutes – symbol- He was born on August 14, 1973, in Garfield, N.J., attend- well.” “I made myself believe I could do these things, part of ic of the type of plays he made throughout his career. ed Hofstra University on Long Island and was diminutive in what made me the player I was, and part of it ended my stature at 5-foot-10, 188 pounds. His college career was a Career highlights career. But when I got here, I decided I would fear no play- productive one, setting several school records, including er here or in my career.” “My first day here, a 70-year-old single-game receiving yards (245), touchdowns in a game security guard didn’t let me into practice. I could either Year in 1995 (five), in a season (16) and career (31). He twice led laugh it off and go on my journey or take it as a sign that it • NFL Players Association tri-state chapter Jet of the Hofstra in receiving yards and during his 1994 senior sea- wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t take it as a sign. I believed son he became the first player in school history to amass in myself.” “People say it all the time, but it’s truly, truly, Inspirational• Named Jet Player of the in Y 1996ear in as 1995 voted by by Newsday’s his Jets teammates readers 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. He got his name in truly an honor. It’s not something I expected at any point in • Awarded the Dennis Byrd Award for Most the NCAA Division I-AA record book by scoring five receiv- my career, that they’d have a Wayne Chrebet Day.” ing touchdowns in one game, tying a record held by NFL Chrebet’s No. 80 jersey has not been formally retired, Association• Won the Jets “Unsung Hero Award” in 1997 Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. His school honored Chrebet for although the team has not reissued it since he retired, and • Named Jets Player of the Year in 2001 by NFL Alumni his outstanding college career by inducting him into the it is understood that no Jet will wear the number in the Johnson to lead the league in receptions as the duo finished Hofstra University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 as part of foreseeable future. Chrebet was inducted into the with• In158/2,214yds/14.0avg/18TD 1998 he teamed with wide receiver Keyshawn its inaugural class. They also retired his No. 3 jersey. Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Chrebet Notable Quotables: “I will always be a New York York Jets) Jet. I am glad I played my entire career here.” “Just to feel Ihor Stelmach may be reached at [email protected]. • Played his entire 11-year career with one team (New

Ms. Brown noted that “Chornobyl radio- by an international consortium of countries Vishnevskiy calls “umbrella species,” this Kyiv... activity drifted widely across Europe.” and was designed and built by a French-led indicates that the ecosystem in the exclu- (Continued from page 1) Swedish scientists are credited for first team of engineers and scientists. It has a sion zone is healthy. reporting the incident, which took place in life span of 100 years. Since the HBO Chernobyl miniseries Institute of Technology professor Kate Pripyat, a town Soviet authorities built Today, the exclusion zone encompasses aired in May 2019, tourism to the area has Brown wrote in the Washington Post. from scratch to house families of the 2,600 square kilometers (1,625 square steadily grown. However, Belarus, where 70 percent of employees of the nuclear plant about 100 miles) whose entire area also is an environ- Ahead of this year’s anniversary, 40 kilo- the fallout landed, Russia and Ukraine kilometers (62.5 miles) north of Kyiv. mental biosphere reserve – the largest in meters of road between the main check- “have no public tallies of Chornobyl-related The public received official news of the Ukraine. point into the Exclusion Zone and Pripyat fatalities” to update long-term health radioactive fallout only three days after a Left mostly untouched by human intru- has been repaved. effects, she said. virtual news blackout and the Soviet gov- sion since 1986, wildlife in the area has “Our task is to put in order the popular Chornobyl-caused cancers will reach ernment in Kyiv went ahead with a sched- rejuvenated. tourist routes in three years and provide 41,000 by 2065, the United Nations’ uled Labor Day parade on May 1 despite Denys Vishnevskiy, head of the research normal access to the zone for conservation- International Agency for Research and high radiation levels in the air. department at the Chernobyl Radiation and ists, scientists, power engineers and entre- Cancer estimates. Contaminated milk was found as far Environmental Biosphere Reserve, has doc- preneurs,” Oleksandr Kubrakov, head of the Ukraine’s government says that away as northern England and the sale of umented the regrowth in flora and fauna state highway agency Ukravtodor, wrote in 1,747,803 people were victims of the fall- sheep sourced from southern Scotland was on his Facebook page with the use of a Facebook post. out as of July 2020. There are also 185,206 suspended, for example. drones and camera traps. The volume of tourists, he added, has surviving “liquidators” who took part in Soviet authorities almost immediately Nineteen animals listed on Ukraine’s increased 15-fold in five years, from 8,000 extinguishing fires and containing the started evacuating Pripyat following the endangered species list have been spotted in 2015 to 124,000 in 2019. About four- nuclear disaster. explosion. Some 50,000 residents had been thus far. These include, badgers, lynx, river fifths of the visitors are foreign. An additional 92 percent of survey relocated within 36 hours of the incident. otters, black storks, American mink, eagle Last year, the Ukrainian Sea Ports respondents said they don’t know the dose Eventually, 116,000 people were owls and white-tailed eagles. authority dredged the Pripyat River for rate of natural radioactivity and 47 percent removed from the area while an exclusion Some 60 feral Przewalski’s horses, intro- boat tours to commence from Kyiv to still believe in Soviet “fakes” about zone was created within a 30-kilometer duced in 1998, roam the area. Up to seven Chornobyl. About 130,000 cubic meters Chornobyl, the Kyiv-based sociological (18.75 miles) radius around the damaged wolf families have been counted and wild was dredged along 64 kilometers (40 research center also said. plant. boar, moose, brown bears, European bison, miles) between the Kyiv Sea and Belarus One myth is that the accident only had Five years ago, a new safe confinement deer and roebuck also have made the area border. This allows passages for boats with regional consequences, which the MIT his- at the infamous fourth reactor was com- part of their habitat. a maximum draft of 1.6 meters (1.75 tory professor debunked. pleted at a cost of 1.4 billion euros financed Since they’re part of what Mr. yards). No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 19

ed 4 goals, 37 assists, 41 points and 166 SportsShorts penalty minutes. Pateryn, 30, is in the final (Continued from page 17) season of a three-year contract he signed with the Wild, and will be an unrestricted tinued the trend of reacquiring former free agent after the season. players from his previous stops as G.M. In Kalynuk tallies first NHL goal Through Art exhibit, featuring works by Corey Postiglione and Kathie addition to Andy Greene and Cory June 20 Shaw, “Abstraction as Metaphor,” Ukrainian Institute Schneider, Zajac is now a part of that list of Wyatt Kalynuk scored his first NHL goal Chicago of Modern Art, www.uima-chicago.org or 773-227-5522 players. Lamoriello drafted Zajac 20th to break a tie, and the Chicago Blackhawks overall with the Devils in 2004. In order to held on for a 4-3 win over Columbus on April 29 Webinar with Serhii Plokhii, “Nuclear Ukraine: From the sign with the Islanders, Zajac waived his April 10. Kalynuk netted his milestone goal Online Atoms for War to the Atoms for Peace and Back,” no-movement clause. “At this point in my at 3:07 of the second period when the for- U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, www.usukraine.org career and where I’m at, I wanted a chance mer Wisconsin Badger, active in his seventh or [email protected] to win, and I just believe this is a team that NHL game, threw a shot at the net and saw has all the aspects of a winning hockey it trickle across the goal line to break a 2-2 April 30 Webinar with Eliot Borenstein, “Plots Against Russia: The team,” Zajac said in a chat with the media tie. It took a few minutes to make it official, Online Uses of Conspiracy After the Soviet Collapse,” Stanford on the day of the trade. “To be able to try as the referees needed to confirm the puck University, [email protected] or 650-725-2563 crossed the goal line and that Blackhawk and be a part of that and help them in any April 30 Protest against Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Coalition Against Brandon Hagel did not commit goalie inter- way, I think it was, for me, it was the right Washington/ Funding Putin’s Neo-Fascism, Embassy of Germany and time. I was fortunate to have such a great ference while screening Elvis Merzlikins. Worldwide Germany’s Consulates around the world, [email protected] career in New Jersey, tons of great people.” In 1,024 NHL games, all with the Devils, JUDO May 2 Canadian National Conference for Ukrainian Educators, Zajac scored 550 points (202 goals, 348 Bilodid wins silver in Lisbon Online www.ncue.ucc.ca assists) and tallied 344 penalty minutes. In the current 2020-2021 season with New Daria Bilodid (48 kg) won silver at the May 6 Online workshop with Marichka Marczyk, “Haivky – Ukrainian Jersey, the 35-year-old center had seven European Judo Championships on April Online Spring Ritual Songs,” St. Vladimir Institute, www.stvladimir.ca goals and 11 assists. His total games played 16-18 in Lisbon, Portugal. Bilodid won the ranks fourth in franchise history, goal total semifinal match against Irina Dolgova of May 8-9 St. Thomas Sunday pilgrimage, Metropolia Center of the ranks tied for third, assist total is fifth and Russia, but lost the final against Distria South Bound Brook, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., points rank third. He is in the final season Krasniqi of Kosovo. Ukraine was represent- NJ www.uocofusa.org of the eight-year deal he signed with the ed by four male and eight female athletes, and the tournament attracted 359 athletes May 11-13 Online conference series, “Ukraine in Washington,” U.S.- Devils, making him an unrestricted free Online Ukraine Foundation, www.usukraine.org agent this summer. from 45 countries. May 12 Online performance, featuring soprano Stefania Dovhan, Dubnyk traded for Pateryn PARALYMPICS Online Shenson Chamber Music Series, co-sponsored by The In an unprecedented NHL trade deadline Ukraine wins gold and bronze in Dubai Washington Group Cultural Fund, National Museum of deal on April 10, the Colorado Avalanche Oksana Kozyna and Ivan Redka won Women in the Arts, https://nmwa.org acquired Ukrainian goaltender Devan gold and bronze, respectively, at the Third Dubnyk from San Jose in exchange for Dubai Para Badminton International tour- Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Ukrainian defenseman Greg Pateryn and a nament on March 30 through April 4 in advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Dubai, U.A.E. Kozyna won 21-10, 21-17 in from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Dubnyk, 34, had a 3-9-2 record, 3.18 goals- the final against Manasi Joshi of India. The and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. against average and .898 save percentage tournament, which is in preparation of the with the Sharks in 2020-2021. His overall 2021 world championships and is counted 12-year career has him in 537 NHL games, toward ratings and qualification for the the people we love, and our local and global a 250-204-54 record, 2.60 GAA, .914 PCT 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, attracted 125 Trust the medical... communities. We are all in this together! and 33 shutouts with Edmonton, Nashville, athletes from 29 countries. Ukraine was (Continued from page 7) Arizona, Minnesota and the Sharks. He is represented by nine athletes. Peter Derkach, MD, MSc Minnesota’s all-time leader in playoff games cines. There is always a small risk of an Medical director played (26), wins (8) and shutouts (2). In KICKBOXING adverse reaction to any vaccine, but the Ukrainian Canadian Care Center 2014-2015 Dubnyk finished third in Vezina risk of contracting COVID-19 is far greater West Park, Long Term Care Center (Canada) Ukraine wins six medals in Turkey Trophy voting and won the Bill Masterton and the potential health ramifications can Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship Ukraine’s kickboxers won six medals be much more serious. Daniel Hryhorczuk, MD, MPH and dedication to hockey. He has been (four gold and two bronze) at the sixth Professor emeritus selected to three NHL All-Star Games (2016, International Turkish Open Kickboxing spread of disinformation and misinforma- University of Illinois School of Public Health 2017, 2019). He was selected by Edmonton European Cup on April 8-11 in Antalya, tion.• BStope critical listening thinkers to any medical and stop informa the- International member, Ukrainian Academy in the first round (14th overall) of the 2004 Turkey. Artem Melnyk (86 kg, senior) and tion that may be coming from dubious of Medical Sciences NHL Draft. Dubnyk was acquired for goal- Mark Husar (71 kg, junior) won gold in the sources (e.g., New Eastern Outlook, tending depth behind starter Philipp full-contact division. Oleksandr Vorontsov Oriental Review, RT and other media out- Yuri (George) Huculak, MD Grubauer and rookie Jonas Johansson with (67 kg, junior) and Yevhen Klymenko (71 lets with Russian ties, and its trolls, bots, Vice-president No. 2-ranked netminder Pavel Francouz still kg, senior) won gold in the light-contact hacks or conspiracy mongers). Critical Ukrainian World Congress out injured. He will be an unrestricted free division. Alina Martyniuk (60 kg) tied with thinking is always better than wild specula- Petro Lenchur, MD, PhD, FACC, FSCAI agent at season’s end. Pateryn served as an Esra Yalin of Turkey for bronze in the wom- tion. If a conspiracy theory sounds out- President extra defenseman with the Avalanche after en’s K-1 division and Serhiy Borshchan (75 landish, far-fetched, insane or absurd, it Ukrainian Medical Association starting the current season with the kg, senior) won bronze in the men’s light- almost certainly is. For example, the notion of North America Minnesota Wild. In 11 games he had two contact division. The tournament was host- that vaccines implant tiny tracking devices assists and four penalty minutes. He was in your body is as absurd as the notion that Michael Lewko, MD, FACR, FAGS, CMD ed by the World Association of Kickboxing Vice-president, originally selected in the fifth round (128th Organizations (WAKO). little green men from Mars invaded Crimea. overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft by Toronto. - Pandemic Committee vice-chair In 278 NHL games with Montreal, Dallas, Credit to Ihor Stelmach for the entries in tions to prevent the spread of the virus. Ukrainian World Congress For• theFollow time the being, public mask health wearing, recommenda aware- Minnesota and Colorado, he had accumulat- baseball, basketball and hockey. Boris D. Lushniak, MD, ness of physical distancing, being wary of MPH, FACPM, FAAD large group gatherings, and hand washing Dean and professor remain key elements of the fight against the anniversary of the council of Nicaea in University of Maryland School pandemic. Archbishop... 2025 would be a good occasion to educate of Public Health The COVID-19 pandemic has already (Continued from page 7) Christians on the necessity of a calendar Former acting U.S. surgeon general and taken the lives of too many of our beloved reform and of a common date of Pascha in deputy U.S. surgeon general on the Sunday following the first full moon order to remain truly faithful to the deci- friends and family members – both in of spring), to calculate the astronomic sions of the first ecumenical council. The Ukraine and here in North America. The Oleksa G. Rewa, MD, MSc, FRCPC data (the spring equinox and the full fact that the Eastern and Western dates of best we can do is to trust the medical and Assistant professor and associate chair moon) by the most accurate possible scien- Easter will coincide on that year should be public health experts, researchers and sci- Department of Critical Care Medicine tific means, using as the basis for reckoning taken as an encouragement toward that entists that have worked heroically to com- University of Alberta, Canada the meridian of Jerusalem, the place of direction! bat this terrible scourge. It would be an Christ’s death and resurrection. unspeakable tragedy if we were to miss this Andrew Ripecky, MD Perhaps the celebration of the 1,700th Source: fanarion.blogspot.com chance to finally defeat this virus. This is Immediate past president no time for bogus skepticism or what our Ukrainian Medical Association ancestors would have called “syromudrist.” of North America It is up to us to demonstrate the wisdom, The Ukrainian Weekly the maturity, the common sense and com- Renata Roman, BSc, PT mon human decency to take full advantage Chair of Pandemic Committee LIKE on Facebook! of this vaccine so we can protect ourselves, Ukrainian World Congress 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 No. 17