Inside: l Countering the information war in – page 6 l New film “Freedom or Death” screened in N.J. – page 10 l Our community: New Jersey, Rhode Island, D.C – pages 16-17

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXIV No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 $2.00 Foreign ministers discuss Coalition near collapse after failed no-confidence vote eastern Ukraine conflict, by Zenon Zawada – Ukraine’s coalition government implementation of Minsk II approached the brink of collapse after the RFE/RL Verkhovna Rada failed on February 16 to muster enough votes to dismiss the highly MUNICH – Senior diplomats from unpopular prime minister, Arseniy Ukraine, , Germany and France Yatsenyuk, and his Cabinet of Ministers. met in Munich on February 13 to dis- The Samopomich and Batkivshchyna par- cuss the situation in eastern Ukraine ties announced in the following days that and implementation of the Minsk II they were exiting the coalition government, agreement on steps to end the conflict accusing national deputies of the biggest there. parties of abandoning the principles of the The meeting took place on the side- Euro-Maidan that reached its bloody conclu- lines of the Munich Security sion nearly two years earlier to the date. Conference. The foreign affairs minis- “A union of power has become obvious ters of Ukraine, Germany and Russia between the Bloc, the took part, along with a senior French People’s Front (led by Mr. Yatsenyuk), and diplomat. the fragments of the Party of Regions that German Foreign Affairs Minister are controlled by a series of oligarchs,” said a Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted some February 18 statement by the Samopomich progress in negotiations, including on party leadership. the thorny question of how to conduct “Such actions delegitimize the govern- Vladislav Musienko/UNIAN Prime Minister enjoys a laugh in the Verkhovna Rada ahead of elections in areas of eastern Ukraine ment of Ukraine. They are an encroachment controlled by Russia-backed separat- the failed no-confidence vote on February 16. Critics contend the vote was planned to on the country’s order and they put a final fail by the president and oligarchs. ists. end to the ‘European Ukraine’ parliamentary But he said that all sides were still “a coalition. It’s particularly cynical that such a the parliamentary coalition has 217 votes the coalition, claimed this week that his long way off from resolving the con- union was formed on the eve of the anniver- between the Poroshenko Bloc and People’s Radical Party left the coalition on September flict.” sary of the shooting of patriots on the Front parties – nine votes short of a needed 1, 2015, though no official document was He also delivered a rebuke to Russia, Maidan and the tragic events at ,” majority. reported at the time. the statement noted. Oleh Liashko, the head of the Radical (Continued on page 14) Without Self-Reliance and Batkivshchyna, Party that was the fifth faction that formed (Continued on page 18)

REACTION TO THE MEETING OF POPE AND RUSSIAN PATRIARCH “Two parallel worlds”: An interview with Patriarch Sviatoslav On February 12, Pope Francis and joint texts, it is difficult to expect something two parallel lines do not intersect. It was officially reported that this docu- Patriarch Kirill, the leaders of two Churches, good. Firstly, I would like to say something I found myself experiencing authentic ment was the joint effort of Metropolitan met at the Jose Marti International Airport about the meeting of the holy father with admiration, respect, and a certain reveren- Hilarion (Alfeyev) from the Orthodox side in Havana. The meeting took place in a Patriarch Kirill, and then I will comment on tial awe for the humility of Pope Francis, a and Cardinal [Kurt] Koch with the Pontifical closed setting. It lasted more than two hours. the text of the declaration. true “suffering servant of God,” who seeks Council for Promoting Christian Unity from The meeting of Pope Francis and One notices immediately, especially from one thing: to bear witness to the Gospel of the Catholic side. For a document that was Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox their comments after the meeting, that the Christ before humankind today, to be in the intended to be not theological, but essen- Church concluded with the signing of a Joint two sides existed on two completely differ- world, but remain of Christ, to have cour- tially socio-political, it is hard to imagine a Declaration, which elicited mixed reactions ent planes and were pursuing different age to be “not of this world.” Thus, I would weaker team than the one that drafted this on the part of the citizenry and Church rep- goals. His Holiness Pope Francis experi- invite all not to rush in judging him, not to text. The mentioned Pontifical Council is resentatives of Ukraine. enced this encounter primarily as a spiritual remain on the reality level of those who competent in theological matters in rela- Patriarch Sviatoslav, the head of the event. He opened his remarks by noting that expect only politics from this meeting and tions with various Christian Churches and Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, shared his , Catholics and Orthodox, share one and want to exploit a humble pope for their communities, but is no expert in matters of impressions of the meeting in general and of the same Baptism. In the meeting, he sought human plans at all costs. If we don’t enter international politics, especially in delicate the document in particular in an interview out the presence of the Holy Spirit and into the spiritual reality of the holy father matters such as Russia’s aggression in conducted in Ukrainian by Father Ihor received His support. He emphasized that and do not discern together with him the Ukraine. Thus, the intended character of the Yatsiv. The text of the interview was shared the unity of the Churches can be achieved action of the Holy Spirit, we shall remain document was beyond their capabilities. by the Communications Office of the when we travel together on the same path. imprisoned by the prince of this world and This was exploited by the Department of Philadelphia Archeparchy of the Ukrainian From the Patriarch one imme- his followers. Then, for us, this will become External Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Catholic Church. diately sensed that this wasn’t about any a meeting that occurred but didn’t happen. Church, which is, first of all, the instrument Spirit, or theology, or actual religious mat- Speaking of the signed text of the Joint of diplomacy and external politics of the Your Beatitude, kindly share with us ters. No common prayer, an emphasis on Declaration, in general it is positive. In it are Moscow Patriarchate. your impressions of the meeting official phrases about “the fate of the raised questions, which are of concern to I would note that, as the head of our between Pope Francis and Patriarch world,” and the airport as a neutral, that is, both Catholics and Orthodox, and it opens Church, I am an official member of the Kirill. What can you say about the Joint non-ecclesial environment. The impression new perspectives for cooperation. I encour- Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Declaration they signed? was that they existed in two parallel age all to look for these positive elements. Unity, nominated already by Pope Benedict. From our experience, gained over many worlds. Did these two parallel realities However, the points which concern Ukraine However, no one invited me to express my years, we can say that when the Vatican intersect during this meeting? I don’t know, in general and specifically the UGCC raised and Moscow organize meetings or sign but according to the rules of mathematics, more questions than answers. (Continued on page 15) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8

ANALYSIS

Wristwatch given to wounded soldier Poroshenko denounces Russian aggression Kerry meets with Poroshenko MUNICH – Speaking on February 13 at WASHINGTON – U.S. State Department points to Russian role in Ukraine war the 2016 Munich Security Conference, Spokesperson John Kirby on February 13 Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko released the following information about by Tom Balmforth soldier from Mr. Usov’s tank brigade asks stressed that his country needs unflagging Secretary of State John Kerry’s meeting with RFE/RL what the minister said. Mr. Usov replies: support from the West, saying that the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. “He didn’t say anything much, just security of Europe and the world are at “Secretary Kerry met today on the sidelines MOSCOW – A cybersleuthing group says [expressed hope] that we’d get better... He stake in Ukraine. At a presidential panel at of the Munich Security Conference with it has uncovered new evidence pointing to also gave a gift of a watch!” the Munich conference, he addressed angry Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The deep, direct Russian involvement in the A social-media post made by Mr. Usov a remarks to an absent Russian President secretary reaffirmed the strong support of battle of Debaltseve in early 2015, a turning day earlier, on February 21, comprises a . “Mr. Putin, this is not a civil the for full implementation of point in the conflict in eastern Ukraine that close-up photograph of a boxed Aviator war in Ukraine, this is your aggression... the Minsk agreement. He urged unity weakened Kyiv’s hand at peace talks. Airacobra watch with a Defense Ministry this is your soldiers who have entered my among Ukraine’s leaders, and faster prog- Using posts and photographs gleaned logo printed on the watch face. The photo- country,” Mr. Poroshenko said in English. ress on reform and against corruption, from the Russian social networking site graph appeared to remain live on Fighting in eastern Ukraine has decreased especially those urgent steps recommended VKontakte, the Conflict Intelligence Team VKontakte almost a year later. dramatically since September 2015, but by the IMF.” (U.S. Department of State) (CIT) concluded that Defense Minister CIT says it collated publicly available central aspects of the Minsk II deal have Sergei Shoigu last year personally awarded photographs and personal photographs gone unfulfilled amid mutual recrimina- UOC-KP evicted from Crimean cathedral a commemorative wristwatch to a Russian posted by Mr. Usov and deduced that he tions. Mr. Poroshenko said that it is “not KYIV – At a recent press conference in soldier hospitalized in Moscow after being was treated at a Moscow military hospital only Ukraine, not only Ukrainian security” Kyiv, Archbishop Klyment of Symferopol wounded in the battle. for a shrapnel wound to his leg sustained at that is at stake. “This is European and glob- and Crimea of the Ukrainian Orthodox A report published on February 8 by the the battle of Debaltseve. The Internet inves- al security.” He warned that Mr. Putin is Church – Kyiv Patriarchate announced that CIT, led by Russian blogger Ruslan Leviev, tigators traveled to the Moscow hospital to threatening Europe and its values, saying the Russian Arbitration Court in Crimea had focused on the battle that raged around the compare buildings in the area with the there is an illiberal “alternative Europe” ruled that premises belonging to the strategic Ukrainian railway hub of buildings photographed in the view from and its “name is Vladimir Putin.” (RFE/RL) Crimean eparchy of the UOC-KP would be Debaltseve as peace talks loomed. Fighting Mr. Usov’s hospital ward. Kerry warns Russia of continued sanctions seized and confiscated. The archbishop continued for days after a ceasefire was The Russian Defense Ministry declined explained that the ruling concerned the signed on February 12, 2015, with critics to comment on whether Minister Shoigu MUNICH, Germany – U.S. Secretary of Cathedral of Ss. Volodymyr and Olha in the accusing Russia-backed separatists of vio- had visited the hospital in comments to State John Kerry accused Russia of “repeated center of Symferopol. “We’ve been asked to lating the deal in order to seize control of RFE/RL’s Russian Service. aggression” and said sanctions will stay in pay half a million rubles to the Ministry of more territory. CIT draws attention to a post dated place until the Minsk II agreement to resolve Property and Land Relations, vacate the The CIT asserted that its findings involv- February 19, 2015, in which Mr. Usov him- the conflict in eastern Ukraine is fully imple- premises within 10 days and prepare for ing Yevgeny Usov, a soldier in the 6th self writes that he had sustained a “shrap- mented. The United States and the European the fact that the building will be confiscated Separate Tank Brigade from Russia’s nel” wound. He subsequently says that he is Union have imposed economic sanctions on because all communications, water, light, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, “prove that the serving in Mulino in Nizhny Novgorod Russia in response to its support for separat- power and heat supplies are located on decision to escalate the conflict in Ukraine Oblast. ists who control parts of eastern Ukraine these 112 square meters,” he said. “The and attack Debaltseve was taken in the The CIT reasons that, if Mr. Usov had and have fought government forces in a dev- leadership of the Crimean Diocese of the highest ranks of the Russian authorities.” received the wound while mishandling astating war. Sanctions will remain in place Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv “It is hard to believe this decision could weapons or during maneuvers, “we doubt until “the sovereignty and integrity of Patriarchate will not leave the Church and have been taken by anyone [other] than in that case that the defense minister Ukraine is protected in full implementation will continue to stand up for its rights. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin,” it said. would have visited him in person and of the Minsk agreements,” Mr. Kerry said at We’ve been fighting for our Church with the Mr. Putin has repeatedly denied sending awarded him with a watch.” the Munich Security Conference on February Property Fund of Crimea for over 20 years regular Russian forces into eastern Instead, the CIT contends that Mr. Usov 13. He said “Russia faces a simple choice: and we’ll continue.” He told Krym.Realii that Ukraine, while Kyiv and NATO say there is was wounded at Debaltseve. The group fully implement Minsk” or face continued the number of premises belonging to the overwhelming evidence of their presence notes that Mr. Usov was a regular user of sanctions. He added that implementation UOC-KP in the Crimea has dropped from 20 during the war between government VKontakte at the beginning of 2015 but includes the withdrawal of Russian forces – to 10 since the start of the occupation. He troops and the Russia-backed separatists, that he made no posts from January 26 to which Western governments say are in added that activists of Crimean Ukrainian which has killed more than 9,000 civilians February 14 – a period that coincides with Ukraine despite Russian denials – and resto- communities had left mainly because their and combatants since April 2014. the Debaltseve operation, which began on ration of Ukrainian control over the entire children were not allowed to study in their The CIT evidence drawing largely on January 22. Ukrainian-Russian border. Mr. Kerry spoke native language. Despite many statements social-network monitoring and analysis is His first post after this period of absence of joint and “unwavering support for a dem- and evidence of harassment on religious detailed, although some of it is circumstan- was a photograph from a hospital ward on ocratic Ukraine” by the United States and the grounds presented by human rights organi- tial. February 14, 2015. European Union, and called for Ukraine to The group zeroes in on a blurred photo- The CIT alleges that tanks belonging to do more to fight corruption. (RFE/RL) (Continued on page 12) graph posted on February 22 by Mr. Usov the 6th Separate Tank Brigade were used in on his VKontakte profile that appears to Ukraine and were identified by a white cir- show him lying bandaged in a hospital bed cle on their armor. The findings include with Minister Shoigu standing by him. photographs of tanks with these markings FOUNDED 1933 In a comment posted beneath the photo- The Ukrainian Weekly graph, a VKontakte user alleged to also be a (Continued on page 19) An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. Cardin expresses concerns (ISSN — 0273-9348) The Weekly: UNA: on implementation of Minsk II Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 WASHINGTON – Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Russia is serious about Minsk II implemen- Postmaster, send address changes to: ranking member of the Senate Foreign tation it would immediately withdraw all The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Relations Committee, expressed his con- military equipment from Ukrainian territo- 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas for the status of the implementation ry and allow access for OSCE monitors to P.O. Box 280 of the Minsk II agreement, which was meant the occupied territories.” Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] to calm tensions in eastern Ukraine. He added: “I understand that our Agreed to one year ago, Minsk II is a Ukrainian friends must also implement the The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com package of security and political measures political elements of Minsk – constitutional negotiated by Ukraine, Germany, France reforms and elections – but we must see real The Ukrainian Weekly, February 21, 2016, No. 8, Vol. LXXXIV and Russia to address the conflict in east- progress from the on the security Copyright © 2016 The Ukrainian Weekly ern Ukraine. front first. Fighting continues at an estimat- “Thursday marks the first anniversary of ed rate of about 60 shellings a day, and there the Minsk II agreement. While all parties are currently more tanks in the region than ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA have expressed a commitment to pursue a OSCE monitors. These tanks circulate with- peaceful resolution to the crisis in eastern out restraint, while observers from the OSCE Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 Ukraine, I remain concerned that the are severely limited in their movements. The e-mail: [email protected] implementation of Minsk II has been held U.S. and EU should maintain – and even con- Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 back by continued Russian support for sep- sider strengthening – robust sanctions on e-mail: [email protected] aratist violence,” Sen. Cardin stated. “If Russia until it fully implements Minsk II.” No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 3

NEWS ANALYSIS: Ukraine cuts Russian gas imports to a minimum

by Oleg Varfolomeyev European Union to 9.2 bcm last year Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak said For the state company Ukrhazvydobuvannya, Eurasia Daily Monitor (Naftogaz.com, January 29). (TASS, January 14). However, Kyiv has a subsidiary of Naftohaz, the tax rate will Ukraine has not been buying gas from secured international loans for gas pur- fall to 50 percent from 70 percent from Ukrainian gas consumption fell signifi- Gazprom since last November, as no agree- chases at lower prices than Gazprom’s. April (Zn.ua, December 24). The lower tax cantly last year, as GDP declined by more ment was reached on prices. The CEOs of Naftohaz concluded agreements to buy gas rates are likely to prompt gas producers to than 10 percent, and the output of the Gazprom and Naftohaz, Alexei Miller and at prices up to $211 in December-March, renew investment programs abandoned domestic industry in particular, which is Andriy Kobolev, respectively, discussed gas using a $300 million loan from the after tax hikes in 2014 and may attract new heavily depends on natural gas, plunged by prices for the first quarter of 2016, in European Bank for Reconstruction and investors into Ukraine’s gas industry, there- more than 13 percent. This allowed Berlin, on December 23, 2015, but again no Development (EBRD). Contracts were by further reducing the significance of Ukraine to reduce gas imports from Russia agreement was reached (Apostrophe.com. awarded to Noble Clean Fuels Limited, Russian gas for the national economy. to a minimum. Moreover, Ukraine is going ua, December 24). Engie SA, Axpo Trading AG, E.ON Global Ukraine’s moves to reduce gas imports to further reduce consumption and Having diversified its import sources, Commodities SE and Eni Trading & naturally provoke dismay in Russia, which imports this year, while gas production mainly thanks to reverse gas flows from Shipping S.p.A, said Naftohaz (Naftogaz. planned to sell at least 42 bcm of gas to could grow thanks to tax cuts. As a result, Slovakia, Ukraine is now free to choose com, January 14). Ukraine also expects Ukraine per annum, in line with the 2009 Ukraine may be able to avoid purchasing among various suppliers. Given the virtual $500 million from the World Bank for gas contract. Gazprom has billed Naftohaz $2.5 any gas supplies from Russia in 2016. state of war with Russia and Gazprom’s (Rian.com.ua, January 13). billion for the third quarter of 2015, when Ukraine’s gas consumption plunged to reluctance to amend the contract with Kyiv is going to cut gas imports further Naftohaz did not buy its gas at all. Gazprom 31.0 billion cubic meters (bcm) last year, Naftohaz, which was signed for 10 years in to 11-13 bcm in 2016, Ukrainian Energy argues that Naftohaz has to pay for 10.5 from 38.9 bcm in 2014, according to the 2009, but has not been adhered to for the Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn bcm of gas (a quarter of the 42 bcm) national oil and gas company Naftohaz last several years, Ukraine prefers gas from announced on January 27. He said Ukraine according to the take-or-pay clause in the Ukrainy. Gas consumption fell across the the European Union. Furthermore, gas could do without Russian gas imports this 2009 contract (Newsru.ua, January 19). country, most significantly in the war- from the EU is cheaper. In early January, year, pumping in gas from the EU only. At Ukraine is not going to pay the bill, while it affected industrial oblasts of and Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy the same time, he said Kyiv wanted to is awaiting a verdict on the contract from , said Naftohaz. Domestic gas pro- Yatsenyuk announced that no gas would be reach a new agreement on prices with the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm duction decreased less significantly, to 19.9 imported from Russia for a certain period. Russia by the end of March, in order to Chamber of Commerce late this year or from 20.5 bcm (Naftogaz.com, January 29). He said Russia set its price for Ukraine at have a wider choice of gas suppliers next year, in the hope that it will be possi- As a result, gas production exceeded $212 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas for the (UNIAN, January 27). ble to amend the contract in Ukraine’s imports for the second straight year. first quarter of 2016, while Ukraine could With the help of recent tax cuts for gas favor. Irrespective of the outcome of the Imports fell to 15.3 bcm in 2015, from 19.5 import gas from the EU at some $200 producers, Kyiv hopes to increase domestic dispute, it is possible to say that Ukraine no bcm in 2014, and imports from Russia in (.com.ua, January 10). production this year, so there will be less longer depends on Gazprom’s gas. particular plunged to only 6.1 bcm, from Moscow has been dropping hints that need for imported gas. From January 1, 14.5 bcm a year earlier. For comparison, Kyiv simply has no money to buy gas from rent rates for non-state-owned gas produc- The article above is reprinted from Ukraine imported 45 bcm of gas from Gazprom. “We understand that they do not ers were cut to 29 percent from 55 percent Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Russia in 2011. At the same time, Ukraine buy gas not because the price is high, but for wells up to five kilometers deep, and to its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, almost doubled gas imports from the because there is no money,” Russian 14 percent from 28 percent for deep wells. www.jamestown.org.

Senators reaffirm commitment Quotable notes “…let me underscore that those who claim that our trans-Atlantic partnership is unraveling – or in fact, those who hope that it might unravel – could not be more to help Ukraine tackle corruption wrong. They forget – or they never understood – why we came together in the first place: not to just to sail along in the best of times – but to have each other’s backs Letter to Poroshenko expresses concern when the times are tough. They forget, as well, that the ties that bind us are not some kind of fragile strings of momentary convenience. They are rugged, time-test- WASHINGTON – Sens. Rob Portman bat endemic corruption, and promoted ed cords of democratic values – liberty, decency, justice, rule of law. (R-Ohio) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), co- more openness and transparency in gov- “And nowhere is that more clear than in our joint, unwavering support for a dem- chairs of the bipartisan Senate Ukraine ernment. He was known to many of us as a ocratic Ukraine. Our European partners, you, deserve enormous credit for showing Caucus, and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), respected reformer and supporter of the the resolve you have shown and the common purpose you have summoned, in ranking member of the Subcommittee on order to stand up to Russia’s repeated aggression. And I am confident that Europe European Affairs, on February 12 spear- allegations raise concerns about the enor- and the United States are going to continue to stand united, both in sustaining sanc- headed a letter expressing concern to mousUkrainian challenges cause. Minister that remain Abromavičius’s in your tions for as long as they are necessary and in providing needed assistance to Ukrainian President Poroshenko regard- efforts to reform the corrupt system you Ukraine until the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine is protected through the full ing the recent resignation of Minister of inherited. implementation of the Minsk agreement. “We recognize that your governing “Now, again and again, we have made it clear, and I make it clear again here alleged that corruption remains a dire coalition faces not only endemic corrup- today: Sanctions are not an end unto themselves. Witness what we succeeded in challengeEconomy Aivaraswithin theAbromavičius, Ukrainian whopolitical has tion left from decades of mismanagement doing in the context of the Iran nuclear agreement. But we shouldn’t forget why system. and cronyism, but also an illegal armed they were imposed in the first place: to stand up for Ukraine’s fundamental rights – In the letter, the three senators said seizure of territory by Russia and its prox- rights of international norms that have been accepted ever since World War II, that they recognized the challenges facing the ies. Tackling such obstacles to reforms were part of what that great battle was about. Russia has a simple choice: fully Ukrainian government two years after the amidst a war and the loss of much of implement Minsk or continue to face economically damaging sanctions. And the Maidan brought positive change to southeastern Ukraine’s economic produc- path to sanctions relief is clear: withdraw weapons and troops from the Donbas; Ukraine. They also reaffirmed their com- tivity is a formidable challenge – one ensure that all Ukrainian hostages are returned; allow full humanitarian access to mitment to help President Poroshenko which we remain committed to helping occupied territories, which, by the way, is required by international law and by sev- confront the dual threat posed by Russian you overcome. eral United Nations resolutions; support free, fair and internationally monitored aggression in Ukraine as well as “Succeeding in these reforms will show elections in the Donbas under Ukrainian law; and restore Ukraine’s control of its entrenched corruption in the government Russian President Vladimir Putin that an side of the international border, which belongs to it. Put plainly, Russia can prove by and to create a transparent and democrat- independent, transparent and democratic its actions that it will respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, just as it insists on respect for ic government. Ukraine can and will succeed. It also offers its own. The letter was also signed by Sens. Ron a stark alternative to the authoritarianism “By the same token, after two difficult years, Ukrainians still have work to do as Johnson (R-Wis.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and oligarchic cronyism prevalent in well. And President Poroshenko who is here knows that and accepts that. Neither Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal Russia. As such, we respectfully ask that the people of Ukraine nor their partners in the international community believe (D-Conn.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). you address the serious concerns raised that enough has happened in Ukraine either. Ukraine has responsibilities with The full text of the letter follows. respect to Minsk – and it’s critical that Kyiv upholds its end of the bargain. But “As members of the U.S. Senate Ukraine urge you to press ahead with urgent Ukraine’s democratic potential is clearly far brighter today than it was when we met Caucus and strong supporters of your gov- reformsby Minister to the Abromavičius. Prosecutor General’s We similarly Office here several years ago, far brighter even than it was before the brave protests in the ernment, we write to express our concern and judiciary. The unanimous adoption by Maidan. And with our transatlantic support, 2016 has all the potential possible – all regarding the recent resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Basic the groundwork laid through the good work of Germany and France and the Minister of Economy Aivaras Principles and Action Plan is a good step. Normandy format and though the support of other countries – to be able to make - “We very much appreciate your leader- 2016 the year that Ukraine proves reform can triumph over corruption. And we call sistent corruption in the Ukrainian politi- ship and commitment to reform since the on all of the country’s elected leaders to demonstrate the unity, the integrity, and the calAbromavičius system. and his allegations of per Ukrainian people demonstrated their courage that their people are demanding. …” resolve on the Maidan two years ago, and – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking at the 2016 Munich Security and his team implemented tough but nec- we look forward to continued cooperation Conference in Munich on February 13. essary“During economic the past reforms, year, Mr. worked Abromavičius to com- in the future.” 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8 Manor College hosts forum on Ukraine’s stability by Alex Styer JENKINTOWN, Pa. – Manor College on February 1 host- ed a forum and public discussion on what Western coun- tries can do to promote peace and stability for the future in Ukraine. The featured speakers for this event included Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Ukrainian National Deputy Andrey Artemenko, Ukrainian businessman and investor Alex Rovt, former Congressman Curt Weldon and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Bruce Weinrod. “Ukraine 2016: A Stability Dialogue at Manor College” was attended by more than 150 people, who crowded the Manor College auditorium for the program. Manor President Jonathan Peri began by noting that Manor is the only Ukrainian heritage college in the country, and is home to a growing collection of Ukrainian cultural and historical artifacts, including a symbolic piece of a decommissioned nuclear warhead from Ukraine that was gifted to the col- lege by Rep. Weldon. Mr. Peri also thanked the speakers and presented them with honorary plaques marking the occasion. Mr. Weldon began the speaking program by covering the diplomatic history between Ukraine and the United States. He pointed to the Jackson-Vanik Amendment of 1974, which impacted trade relations between the U.S. and for- mer Soviet republics, and noted that Ukraine should have been graduated from its restrictions much earlier, as soon as the broke apart. “We as a nation have let Ukraine down,” he said. “And while the news media focuses on ISIS/ISIL, and the Middle East and Northern Africa and North Korea, we have an Kelly Peiffer, courtesy of Manor College obligation to focus on people who are just like us, who At the forum “Ukraine 2016: A Stability Dialogue at Manor College” (from left) are: former Congressman Curt share the same values…” He underscored that Ukraine was Weldon, Ukrainian Parliament member Andrey Artemenko, Manor College President Jonathan Peri, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Ukrainian businessman and investor Alex Rovt, and former U.S. Deputy (Continued on page 14) Secretary of Defense Bruce Weinrod. Manor receives Weldon Congressional Ukrainian Collection JENKINTOWN, Pa. – Former U.S. Congressman Curt plaque representing Ukraine’s agreement to disarm nucle- Weldon (D-Pa., 1987-2007) recently visited Manor College ar weapons, along with a piece of a destroyed nuclear to donate the Weldon Congressional Ukrainian Collection – weapon enclosed within the plaque. an impressive group of nearly 75 items including books Another unique piece to the collection is an original and historical artifacts rich in Ukrainian heritage and the Orange Revolution scarf and hat given to Rep. Weldon by history of relations between Ukraine and the U.S. Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yushchenko. Manor College President Jon Peri expressed his grati- Perhaps the most significant piece in the collection is tude and excitement in receiving the donation, stating that the original 1999 formally signed agreement between many of the donated pieces represent the great influence Ukraine’s Parliament and the U.S. Congress to establish and that Rep. Weldon had on the United States and Ukraine. normalize relations between the two countries. The docu- Manor College is a natural fit for the collection, given that ment is signed by 21 of the most influential, high-level pub- it is the only accredited Ukrainian Catholic post-secondary lic officials of Ukraine and the U.S. from that moment in Manor College institution of higher education in the country, a fact that Mr. time. Orange Revolution memorabilia from the Weldon Weldon referenced several times while making the donation. Many of the items included in the collection will be on Congressional Ukrainian Collection. Some of the standout artifacts in the collection include a display in Manor’s Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center.

The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: January 2016 Donations received as part of UNA Christmas Card project Amount Name City State Burke, Irene Rochester NY Hursky, Petro Cheltenham PA $200.00 Bula, Andrej & Julie Thornton PA Chelak, Karen Morristown NJ Makar, Andrij & Mariya Brooklyn NY $110.00 Weseley, Orest Stockton CA Dobush, Walter Warren MI Pakula, Lida Dearborn MI $102.00 Theisen, Bill Hatboro PA Horobchenko, $10.00 Berestiansky, L.T Chicago IL $100.00 Babiak, Chrystyna & Nicholas Silver Spring MD Ksenia & Volodymyr Warren MI Chupa, Dorothy Briarwood NY Chupa, Barbara NY Hoshowsky, Christine Rochester NY Eberhart, Robert Jackson MI Jakubowycz, Alexander & Daria Brecksville OH Kobryn, Atanas & Kateryna North Port FL Gonzales, Luba Lynnbrook NY Kuzycz, Markijan Chicago IL Komarynsky, Myron St.Louis MO Kolisnyk, Eugene Jacksonville FL Latyshevsky, Alex & Zorinna New York NY Liber, Peter & Adrianna Wheaton IL Kovalevsky, Nicholas Tiffin OH Petrenko, Anna & Jurij Ashton MD Luciw, Paul Davis CA Macko, Steven Hoffman Estates IL Pishko Daria, Komichak Michael Chatham NJ Moroz, Eugene Concord MA Nesterczuk, George VA Sorobay, Tunia & Roman New York NY Mostovych, Martha Silver Spring MD Pyk, Emil Orland Park IL Urchuk, Thomas North Bergen NJ Nowak, Luba Chicago IL $5.00 Dutkewych, Jaroslav Alexandria VA Onuferczuk, Boris & Kathryn Watchung NJ $95.00 Hrycak, Alexandra Portland OR Haftkowycz, Nadia Wethersfield CT Paschuk, Larisa Verona NJ Stasiuk, Demetrius Englewood FL Kowalchek, Harry West Newton PA Pawlyk, Oksana Chicago IL $75.00 Lewko, Michael Clifton NJ Krysalka, Stephen Macon GA Polowczak, Walter Naperville IL Mess, Thomas West Chester OH $60.00 McGrath, Michael Franklin Square NY Sawchyn, Irene & Doll, Ronald Morristown PA Pastushenko, Tatiana Hewitt NJ $50.00 Badynskyj, Raymond Phoenix AZ Smyk, Rostyslaw Lake Bluff IL Tyrol, Thomas Saugerties NY Hron, Ihor & Olya Osprey FL Swiatkiwsky, Stephan Wheatfield NY $50.00 Leshko, Alla & Jaroslaw Northampton MA Szpyhulsky, John & Christine Iselin NJ TOTAL: $2,892.00 Maruszczak, Olga Dearborn Hts. MI Tymkiw, Stephan Millersville MD Melnyczuk, Askold Medford MA Wolosenko, Jerema Brookline MA Sincere thanks to all contributors Walchuk, Maria & George Annandale NJ $20.00 Mazuryk, Joseph Danville CA to The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund. Yevich-Tunstall, Inia Annandale VA Myers, Mary & Tom Rochester NY $40.00 Shylo, Paul Wheeling IL Swyrydenko, Walter Cleveland OH The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the only $30.00 Ariza, Olga Naples FL $15.00 Bilynsky, Boris Vienna VA fund dedicated exclusively to supporting $25.00 Baransky, Ulana Chicago IL Hawrylciw, Peter Ludlow MA the work of this publication. No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 5

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FOR THE RECORD The Ukrainian Weekly The pope and the patriarch U.S. ambassador on countering The historic meeting between the pope of and the patriarch of Moscow is now old news to most of the world, but in Ukraine and among Ukrainian faithful, the information war in Ukraine there is much trepidation. (And it certainly doesn’t help that the news media, largely Following is the text of remarks by U.S. about?” That’s exactly what Russia wants. ignorant of Church history, carried reports with much disinformation. Two examples Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt at the There is a phenomenon in psychology will suffice. USA Today: “… the heads of the Roman Catholic and the Russian conference “Countering Information War in called mirroring, where you fall into the Orthodox churches haven’t spoken since the Great Schism of 1054 shattered Ukraine” held at the Ukraine Crisis Media habit of simply reflecting the behaviors of Christendom...” : “Today, tensions still exist over Ukraine, where Center in Kyiv on January 29. The text was your opponent. And that is, for me, one of the Russians are suspicious of the Vatican’s influence over Greek Orthodox congre- made available by the U.S. Embassy in the risks for Ukraine. It’s a huge mistake for gations, who are Catholic but who celebrate Mass according to Eastern traditions....”) Ukraine. the Ukrainian government, for the The leader of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav, com- Ukrainian people, to create a troll factory menting before the meeting had voiced hope that it could be a “means for honest Let me first of all congratulate UCMC like St. Petersburg, churning out counter- and open dialogue” and could send the “necessary signals… so that the aggression of [Ukraine Crisis Media Center] and the propaganda in social media. It’s a huge mis- Russia against Ukraine can cease and that a just peace may be achieved.” After the NATO folks for putting this event together. take to create a “Ministry of Truth” that meeting took place, he stated: “From our experience, gained over many years, we It’s extremely timely. The best evidence of tries to generate alternative stories. That is can say that when the Vatican and Moscow organize meetings or sign joint texts, it is that was the press conference yesterday not the way to defeat this information war- difficult to expect something good,” adding that the meeting was seen as “a spiritual given by the NATO secretary general, where fare. event” by Pope Francis and as a political one by Patriarch Kirill. Indeed, Father he placed a major focus on the challenge of In fact, Ukraine doesn’t need more state- Andriy Chirovsky writes (First Things, February 16): “Vladimir Putin desperately hybrid warfare and the need for those of us sponsored media. What Ukraine needs is a needed something – anything – to make Russia look good. So he sent the chief ideo- in the trans-Atlantic successful Ukraine. logue of the ‘Russkiy mir’ to this summit. The patriarch also had good reason to seek community to think And I would argue enhancement of his position as he jockeys for influence at the upcoming Great and systematically about The most important the single most pow- Holy Synod of the Orthodox Churches in June.” how we meet this erful refutation to the As far as the meeting’s Joint Declaration is concerned, Patriarch Sviatoslav says it single principle to challenge. Kremlin’s hybrid war was positive in that it raised issues “of concern to both Catholics and Orthodox,” but understand about It’s important to and information cam- the points regarding Ukraine in general and specifically the UGCC “raised more ques- recognize that what this information paign against this tions than answers.” Paragraph 25 of the declaration recognizes the existence of we’ve come to call country is a success- Greek-Catholics, which is positive (as noted by the UGCC primate), yet it refers to warfare is that it’s hybrid warfare – ful, modernizing, “ecclesial communities” rather than a Church (as noted by Father Chirovsky). which Ukraine has not the objective of European, democrat- It is paragraph 26 that is most problematic, according to observers. Here is its full now been subject to ic Ukraine. text: “We deplore the hostility in Ukraine that has already caused many victims, the Russian Federa- for two long years – is In that regard, inflicted innumerable wounds on peaceful inhabitants and thrown society into a tion in this effort to a combination of nobody will be sur- deep economic and humanitarian crisis. We invite all the parts involved in the con- instruments. It’s eco- win an argument; prised to hear me say flict to prudence, to social solidarity and to action aimed at constructing peace. We nomic pressure; it’s that the number one invite our Churches in Ukraine to work towards social harmony, to refrain from tak- the goal is not to military pressure, the priority for Ukraine ing part in the confrontation and to not support any further development of the con- little green men; it’s prove the truth. and Ukrainian society flict.” There is no reference to war, which is exactly what this “conflict” is; no mention political pressure; in 2016 needs to be of foreign aggression, which no one can deny. It must be noted that there is ample The goal, rather, is evidence Ukraine’s Churches have worked toward social harmony. The only Church and of course, it is to confuse, distract, prevailing in the war information pressure against corruption. It missing from this striving toward peace has been the one affiliated with the Russian deny and to get Orthodox Church: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate. As Father and the weaponiza- is the key issue in Chirovsky points out: “The Moscow Patriarchate has never condemned the invasion tion of information. Ukraine off track – demonstrating that of Ukraine by Russia.” The most impor- to keep us off Ukraine is moving And then there is paragraph 27, which expresses “hope that the schism between tant single principle forward. In that the Orthodox faithful in Ukraine may be overcome through existing canonical to understand about balance. regard, I would argue norms.” , vice-rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, this information war- the best weapon writes: “Well, this is longtime Vatican politics – to maintain contacts in Ukraine only fare is that it’s not the objective of the against the Dimitry Kiselyovs of the world with the ‘canonical’ Orthodox Church. So it is not difficult to imagine how negatively Russian Federation in this effort to win an is your anti-corruption prosecutor. It’s dep- this paragraph will be received by the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches that are not in argument; the goal is not to prove the truth. uty prosecutors general like David communion with the Moscow Patriarchate. One can only deplore once again that in The goal, rather, is to confuse, distract, deny Sakvarelidze who are trying to hold crimi- the Vatican’s view the principle of canon law takes on an absolute character with no and to get Ukraine off track – to keep us off nals accountable. It’s your NABU [National regard to the distortions of truth and justice that are at its core.” balance. And the sooner you understand Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine]. All of To be sure, we cannot know what the pope and the patriarch spoke about in their that that is the objective, the easier it is to which are institutions that the United private meeting, but we pray that the Christians of Ukraine, like the Christians of think about what is the most effective States will strongly support. Syria, are not forgotten. Today, as Mr. Marynovych pointed out, the Ukrainian response. When I think back on that terrible year Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church are I think all of us have learned a lot over of 2014, and the tidal wave of propaganda being persecuted in Russian-occupied Crimea and eastern Ukraine. And yet, there is the past two years about Russia’s tactics that came out of the Russian government, not a word about them in the Joint Declaration. and objectives in this effort. I remember the single most important event, I think, in We recall the words of Pope Francis when he met on October 14, 2015, with vividly, just about two years ago, just after changing that narrative in the West, cer- Patriarch Sviatoslav, who told him about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine due to the revolution, in the last days of February, tainly in the United States, was your suc- the war in the east and shared information about the 1.5 million internally displaced an American journalist, Chris Miller, who cessful presidential election of May 2014 – persons. Assuring the UGCC leader of his prayers and support for the restoration of was then reporting for the Kyiv Post, trav- an election that met the highest OSCE stan- peace in Ukraine, the pontiff said: “Ukraine is in my heart and will always remain eled down to Crimea, and he was one of the dards and in which the Ukrainian people there.” We pray that is so. first international journalists to visit turned out in large numbers to express Crimea before the Russian invasion and their democratic choice. That was the best annexation. And Chris reported, as he answer to the false allegations about Pravyi arrived in Crimea, how struck he was by Sektor and all the rest. And you can see the number of citizens there who were how that’s the story that Russia has no Feb. Turning the pages back... fearful of the fascists who had taken power good answer to. in Kyiv and were worried that some fascist Ukraine needs to continue building a battalions, that Pravyi Sektor was about to Four years ago, on February 27, 2012, Russian state television strong foundation of European democracy, send its tanks into Crimea to violate people. Channel 1 reported that a plot to kill Russian President Vladimir just as you built on the May 2014 presiden- 27 And, of course, we all know – we thought it tial elections with successful Rada elections Putin was to take place ahead of the presidential elections on was funny at the time, but that demonstrat- March 4, 2012. The election saw Mr. Putin return as president of in October 2014, to demonstrate that 2012 ed a pattern that has repeated itself, and Russia for a third non-consecutive term after switching roles Ukraine is moving forward. Continue to this Goebbels-like propaganda machine with Prime Minister . broaden and deepen your ties with the that the Kremlin has deployed as part of its The prime suspect in the plot was Chechen militant Doku Umarov. The Interfax news European Union. Make clear that there is strategy against Ukraine. agency reported that the plot was uncovered after Ukrainian intelligence agents detained no turning back. Make clear that you will Now I think it’s important to recognize two Russian citizens in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa in connection with an accidental live up to the highest standards of the pitfalls in dealing with this propaganda bomb blast in the city in January 2012. European governance. Continue to build warfare. The biggest mistake that we could Video shown by Channel 1 depicted a suspect named Ilya Pyanzin, a 28-year-old your trade and investment ties with the make, the biggest mistake that Ukraine Kazakh citizen. Other suspects included a Russian national, Ruslan Madayev, who was West. Encourage Europeans to come here could make, is to spend all of your time and later killed in the bomb blast, and a third suspect, Adam Osmayev, an ethnic Chechen. and see for themselves that what they see all of your energy trying to counter those Channel 1 claimed that the men received instruction from Mr. Umarov. on Russia Today is a massive distortion of lies – to spend all of your breath saying: (Continued on page 18) “There are no fascists! What are you talking (Continued on page 18) No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 7

COMMENTARY Almost forgotten by Lubomyr Luciuk They have almost been forgotten. The picket fence that segregated this hal- lowed ground from the surrounding boreal The (ir)relevance of the catacombs forest has collapsed. So have the wooden If you haven’t ever been in this situation, mer was an invitation to apostasy. The lat- crosses that once marked their graves. you may be soon. You are preparing for a ter is the first step. There are at least 16 bodies interred in a holiday meal. It seems appropriate to pro- Some religious leaders complain that cemetery measuring only 35 by 25 meters. nounce a prayer before all your guests sit our country is pushing religion out of the Most were men, a few were children. We down. You feel a bit awkward about it. public square. Despite the occasional show know their names thanks to the deter- Prayers before meals are the sort of thing of piety as a sop to naïve and gullible mined research of Vernon’s Lawrna Myers. that priestly families do, and Evangelicals, believers, our ruling elite – including those To protect what remains of their privacy but it may not have been the custom in who set the tone for politics, law and cul- their surnames will not be repeated, save your family. Suddenly, however, you realize ture – is practically agnostic. The culture of for one man’s – for his name was announced that the majority of the people at the table the state influences the culture of the soci- in newspapers published in those troubled are atheists or agnostics, or at best, lapsed ety, and thus of the family. At your times. believers. How will they react? What Thanksgiving dinner, instead of asserting Six imprisoned infants perished of should you do? your role as master of the house, you bow unknown causes between May 1915 and If it is Easter or Christmas, you stick to to the unbelieving majority. You have March 1916. Their names were Jeannette, your program. The prayer, after all, is part allowed the democratic principle of the Olga, Andrez, Jan and Carolka. Another boy, of your Ukrainian holiday routine, and state to override the patriarchal principle Iwan, died from an intestinal hemorrhage you’re in your own house. You’re not going of the family. Perhaps you have abdicated in December 1915. to drop it to avoid offending anyone. But hierarchical authority altogether, deferring Six men died between May 1915 and what if it’s a secularized “holiday” like to the modern penchant for equality at the October 1916 – Pawlo, Aksenty, Geo, Wasyl, Thanksgiving? Once upon a time, of course, expense of order, sense and meaning itself. Stefan and Mike, taken by tuberculosis. it wasn’t Thanksgiving at all if we didn’t In that case, is there anything to learn Karol died in August 1915 from typhoid give thanks. But today it’s just an excuse to from the struggle of the catacomb Church fever. Chronic nephritis killed Gregori in stuff ourselves. And wouldn’t a verbal against a concrete, identifiable enemy October 1916, and tubercular meningitis prayer mean that you are presuming to mounting a direct frontal attack? Today, the took Sotiri in January 1917. speak on behalf of a gathering of individu- attack is subtle and discreet – if, indeed, Ivan Hryhoryschuk suffered a different als most of whom would not subscribe to there is an attack, or even a concrete and fate. He was shot dead on June 7, 1915, your words? Instead of providing an exem- identifiable enemy. Perhaps it is simply an “Interned Madonna” statute by John attempting to escape from the Spirit Lake plary “Christian witness,” wouldn’t it just Boxtel inevitable process. The poet T.S. Eliot internment camp. Ivan’s death warranted confirm the stereotype of “religious” peo- described it in “The Idea of a Christian front-page coverage, for example in The crisis. Perhaps if her little sister, Carolka, ple as annoying bigots who take every Society” (1940): “…a society has ceased to Manitoba Free Press of June 23, 1915. So the had not died at Spirit Lake, she too would opportunity to impose their beliefs on oth- be Christian when religious practices have nation knew something about what was have been a mother, an aunt, and a story- ers? Besides, you don’t want to discomfit been abandoned, when behavior ceases to happening to those branded “enemy aliens” teller like Mary. She never got the chance. your guests. And the comfort of your guests be regulated by reference to Christian prin- by the now-notorious War Measures Act. At Spirit Lake (now La Ferme) in the is, after all, the first rule of hospitality. ciple, and when in effect prosperity in this Most readers likely didn’t care. Abitibi region of Quebec, the interned men But suddenly a strange thought enters world for the individual or for the group Not all internees were recent immi- were forced to work for the profit of their your mind. How did Ukrainian believers has become the sole conscious aim.” grants. Some, like Carolka, were born in jailers and local businessmen, carving an conduct themselves in the Soviet labor Has this happened here? Americans are Montreal, making her a British subject. Her experimental farm out of the woods, as camps? Did they hide their faith? Next considered to be remarkably “religious,” status did not matter. She became just other internees labored likewise to the month, in fact, marks the 70th anniversary especially in comparison to the citizens of another one of the victims of Canada’s first west, at Kapuskasing. Many Spirit Lake of the forced liquidation of the Greco- other wealthy industrial nations. But as a national internment operations, along with prisoners had been residents of Montreal’s Catholic Church in Galicia, which heralded society, the U.S. meets Eliot’s definition of the rest of her family. Her sister, Mary, one Pointe-St. Charles working class district, the mass arrest and deportation of priests de-Christianization. As he put it, “we con- of the last survivors, explained why it was including parishioners of St. Michael the and believers to . (On this occasion, ceal from ourselves the unpleasant knowl- so important for Canadians to remember Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church. the Ukrainian Catholic University’s Institute edge of the real values by which we live.” In what happened in the first world war, Additional internees were railroaded in of Church History is publishing a documen- fact, the most noticeable religious trend in reminding us it had happened again, in the from Petawawa, Beauport, Montréal, tary photo album.) In the previous two America is decline. Between 2007 and second world war, and yet again during the Kapuskasing, Toronto’s Stanley Barracks, decades, the Bolsheviks had destroyed both 2014, according to the Pew Research Quebecois Crisis, in 1970. Standing on Banff and the Otter internment camp in the Russian Orthodox Church and the Center, the religiously unaffiliated (includ- guard for civil liberties and human rights British Columbia. Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church ing atheists and agnostics) grew from 16 was particularly important, she counselled, in Ukraine. In later decades, they would tar- percent to 23 percent of the population in periods of domestic and international (Continued on page 18) get Protestants. As you think of the heroic (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/ individuals who refused to abandon their acts-of-faith/wp/2015/05/12/christiani- LETTER TO THE EDITOR faith in the face of brutal persecutions, you ty-faces-sharp-decline-as-americans-are- wonder whether they would have silenced becoming-even-less-affiliated-with-religion/ their prayers at a holiday table just to avoid ?wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1). company with close ties to Mr. Putin for U.S. offending anyone. Eliot observed in 1939 that the majority national security space launches. First of The comparison, of course, is unfair. The of Britons, who were not even conscious of John McCain targets all, it is a shame this provision passed in the martyrs of the Ukrainian Churches faced a their dilemma, were “becoming more and first place. Secondly, I am proud that Sen. Russian rockets militantly atheist regime armed with the more de-Christianized by all sorts of McCain is fighting to address this issue. power of the state. You, on the other hand, unconscious pressure: paganism holds all Dear Editor: Sen. McCain said it best when he intro- are merely trying to be polite to your the most valuable advertising space. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has been a duced his bill: “It is morally outrageous and friends. It’s completely different. Anything like Christian tradition transmit- longtime advocate of the Ukrainian strategically foolish to ask American tax- Or is it? Would a person who conformed American community and has vocally payers to subsidize Russia’s military indus- ted from generation to generation within to the unbelieving majority at table likely defended Ukraine against Russian aggres- trial base when Vladimir Putin occupies the family must disappear, and the small stand up to a direct challenge backed by sion. He has gone above and beyond reach- Crimea and destabilizes Ukraine,… sends body of Christians will consist entirely of ing out to our community in Arizona and weapons to Iran and bombs U.S.-backed force? Shouldn’t the example of the cata- adult recruits.” Tradition is “transmitted defending our home country. It is no secret forces in Syria to prop-up the murderous comb Church – like the martyrdom of from generation to generation within the that Sen. McCain has been a strong critic of regime of Bashar Assad.” Christians in today’s Syria, Iraq, Egypt, or family” in great part at our holiday feasts. If Vladimir Putin for many years, and now he Why on earth would the U.S. financially Nigeria – shame us? yesterday’s war for religion was waged and is ensuring the United States does not support a country that is causing instability In a way, the temptation of 1946 was not won in the catacombs, today’s is being lost reward Mr. Putin and his corrupt allies with across the world? Your guess is as good as much less insidious than that of 2016. The at the dinner table. hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars. mine. We should all be thankful to Sen. Greco-Catholics were not ordered to Further reading: “To the Light of Sen. McCain and House Majority Leader McCain for leading the charge to bring sani- renounce God or Christianity or even the Resurrection through the Thorns of Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) recently intro- ty back to Congress and prevent Mr. Putin Byzantine rite. They were merely request- Catacombs,” : Ukrainian Catholic duced legislation that will repeal a provi- and team from profiting off of the U.S. ed to switch allegiance from pope to patri- University Press, 2014. sion of last year’s spending bill that allows arch. In our society, no one is suggesting unlimited purchase and use of Russian Victor Szwez that we forsake religion – only that we not Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at rocket engines manufactured by a Russian Glendale, Ariz. take it so seriously. But in reality, the for- [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8 No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 9

ANALYSIS As pope and Russian patriarch meet, Ukraine fears a “shaky” Vatican

by the Rev. Andriy Chirovsky In all our dealings, the Lord encourages The “Moscow Patriarchate” was only In 1596 the Orthodox metropolitan of us to be wise as serpents while remaining established in 1589. It was suppressed by Kyiv, Michael Rohoza, and most of the bish- In much of the world, the historic meet- innocent as doves. That’s a tall order, if you the tsars from 1700 to 1917, and by the ops of this Church restored the Florentine ing on February 12 between Pope Francis really think about it. In any negotiation, Bolsheviks from 1925 to 1943. The prede- model of unity, seeing themselves as part of and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All being as shrewd as a snake makes perfect cessor of the patriarch of Moscow was the universal Catholic Church, in the Union Russia in Havana, Cuba, will be hailed as a sense. It’s being innocent as a dove that styled “metropolitan of Moscow,” and even of Brest. Their descendants constitute the breakthrough. Attitudes are more mixed, complicates matters. this title goes back only to 1448. largest of the 22 Eastern Catholic Churches, however, in Ukraine, long the front line of Since most of the media have no clue as Traditionally, the head of the Church in with some 5 million adherents, and are tensions between Catholics and the Russian to what the Church is about, or what the all of Rus’ (which includes today’s Ukraine, known today as Ukrainian Greek-Catholics. Orthodox. pope might be trying to accomplish at any Belarus and Russia) was the metropolitan There’s also a much larger population of There, the 5-million-strong Greek-Catholic moment, they are not the most reliable fil- of Kyiv in Ukraine. It was only because Ukrainian Christians who identify them- Church has suffered terribly for its loyalty to ter for figuring out the dove-to-serpent Metropolitan Isidore of Kyiv attended the selves as Orthodox, though not in commu- Rome, constituting the world’s largest under- ratio in many a papal undertaking. Council of Florence in the mid-15th centu- nion with Rome. They’re divided among ground religious body during the Soviet era, There’s no doubt that the brilliant Jesuit ry, and vigorously supported union with three communities: and it’s also a leader in civil resistance to the in Pope Francis is thinking several moves Rome, that Moscow decided to break away The Ukrainian Orthodox Church – current Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine. down the chessboard when he meets with and created the position of metropolitan of Kyivan Patriarchate (largest by number of In this essay (http://www.cruxnow.com/ the patriarch of Moscow on Friday, but the Moscow, which was unrecognized by world adherents); church/2016/02/11/as-pope-and-russian- other side is also calculating its risks. What Orthodoxy for nearly 150 years. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church – patriarch-meet-ukraine-fears-shaky-vati- is really going in this intriguing meeting? If the Russians today want to claim the Moscow Patriarchate (largest by number of can/) commissioned by Crux, the Rev. Andriy previous four and a half centuries of the parishes); and Some history Chirovsky, a Greek-Catholic archpriest at St. Metropolitanate of Kyiv, they have to deal The much smaller Ukrainian Paul University in Ottawa, who also serves as Let’s set one thing straight from the with the fact that in the mid-15th century, Autocephalous Orthodox Church. editor-in-chief of LOGOS, a journal of Eastern start: The patriarch of Moscow and the the head of their Church was in full and vis- The Moscow Patriarchate would like the Christian studies, discusses the summit. The pope of Rome have not been estranged for ible communion with the pope of Rome. world to believe that only its structures are article is reprinted here with the permission a thousand years, as many media accounts The older “Church of Kyiv” did not magi- legitimate in Ukraine, deriding the other of the author and Crux. It was originally have suggested. A little history lesson will cally disappear. It still exists today in four published on February 11. be quite instructive here. variants. (Continued on page 13)

COMMENTARY About the scheduled meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill by Bishop Borys Gudziak er marginal. Sunday liturgical participation Over the last half century Popes St. John The meeting is a symbolic breakthrough among the Orthodox in Russia is less than 2 Paul II, Benedict and Francis have regularly that could allow for substantial steps in the Bishop Borys Gudziak leads the Eparchy percent – lower than that in the most secu- met with the senior Orthodox patriarchs – future. Over the last 25 years the Russian of St. Volodymyr in Paris for Ukrainians in larized countries of the West – while abor- the patriarchs of Constantinople – in Rome, Orthodox rejected Rome’s proposals for a France, Benelux and Switzerland. He is head tion, divorce and alcoholism rates are and Istanbul, and Jerusalem, if not in Cuba. meeting of pope and patriarch based on of the Department of External Church among the highest in the world, and cor- This brings us to the significance of the objections to the revival and vitality of the Relations of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic ruption is seen at every level in every insti- location. The pope is demonstrating humili- Eastern Catholic Churches, especially the Church and president of the Ukrainian tution in Russian society. While critical of ty: he is going to the territory of the other. Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. Whatever Catholic University in Lviv. This commentary moral problems in the West, Patriarch In the eyes of nostalgic Russians, Cuba is these objections might be, it is finally clear was released on February 11. Kirill, the ROC and Mr. Putin have not had almost home territory, a last outpost of a that they are no longer as real as once much success in promoting a Christian lost Soviet empire that Mr. Putin explicitly claimed. The fact of the meeting is recogni- The meeting between Pope Francis and world view or way of life in Russia. is trying to reconstruct at great political tion of the fact that the Ukrainian Catholics Patriarch Kirill is important for a number of While Pope Francis’ ecclesial mandate in expense and human cost. The pope is trav- will not simply disappear. reasons and we should pray that it be guid- the Catholic communion and his social role eling to Mexico – the place of his scheduled Finally and hopefully, the encounter ed by the Holy Spirit. For Christians and all in the world are manifest, Patriarch Kirill pastoral visit – and makes a stop in Cuba, could lead Patriarch Kirill to take a pro- people of good will, it is a welcome sight represents just part of the global Orthodox where the patriarch will be waiting for him. phetic position regarding Russian military when estranged brothers take a new first community struggling to establish unity. He In a very real sense the pope is going to the aggression in Ukraine. The Russian role in step towards each other. The separation has been in a lasting dialectic with the patriarch. In November 2014, Pope Francis the devastating violence in eastern Ukraine between Christian Churches and denomina- Patriarchate of Constantinople over influ- publicly stated his unconditional readiness is clear to the global community, as is the tions is the greatest scandal among the fol- ence in the Orthodox communion, making to meet Patriarch Kirill. “I will go wherever grave violation of international law in the lowers of Christ, one that undermines the shaky and modest the outlook for the first you want. You call me and I’ll go.” In coming annexation of Crimea. Obliquely, the Holy witness of all Christians. It reflects an igno- Pan-Orthodox Council in centuries, now to Cuba again, after last year’s visit, Pope See has referred to the violation of interna- rance of Christ’s prayer on the eve of His scheduled for June of this year. Francis makes good his promise. tional law in speaking about the situation in Passion (Jn 17:21): “that they may all be one; The ROC presents itself as the biggest During this Jubilee Year of Divine Mercy, Ukraine. By meeting with Patriarch Kirill, even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You!” Orthodox Church. But approximately half of Pope Francis is carrying everywhere the Pope Francis gives the Russian Orthodox The meeting in Havana should be nei- the flock claimed by the ROC is in Ukraine. message of God’s grace, solidarity and lim- Church leverage, a new window of oppor- ther hyperbolized nor underestimated. It is Ever more vocally Ukrainian Orthodox are itless love. The visit to Mexico promises to tunity to articulate a new position breaking historic: an encounter of Church leaders, expressing their desire for real ecclesial be an emotional pastoral trip, and the call with its traditional role in Russian colonial who are emblematic characters in an asym- independence from Moscow whence war is for mercy will resonate throughout the rule. Ukraine has emphatically declared metric relationship with many paradoxes being waged against them. In fact, there entire Latin American world. Before that it is no longer a colony. It will be and nuances. No Church has a monopoly on may be more practicing Orthodox in embracing and being embraced by millions, important if the ROC begins to accommo- the virtues, nor on the vices. In God’s eyes a Ukraine than in Russia. An autocephalous the pope will fly to a private meeting one- date itself to Ukraine’s political and ecclesi- Church’s qualities are not necessarily a and united Ukrainian Orthodox Church on-one. al self-expression and self-determination. question of quantity. would probably be the most numerous one Pope Francis needs not, and probably The topics of discussion will not be But the two hierarchs come with differ- in world Orthodoxy, something both Mr. will not, say much. His pontificate is explicitly political ones. Rather, the gist of ent legacies. Francis is the leader of a billion Putin and Patriarch Kirill are striving to marked by symbolic gestures and simple the rendezvous will be the encounter of Catholics and is the single most respected prevent at all costs. The asymmetry of the words that compel the attention and Church leaders representing very different moral authority in the world. He is meeting encounter between pope and patriarch – respect of the world. The pontiff has a spe- experiences, agendas, styles and spirituali- the head of the Russian Orthodox Church who they represent and what they stand cial charisma and mission not only for the ties of ecclesial leadership. One can hardly (ROC), still limping from a century of perse- for – needs to be understood in order to Catholics and Christians. He speaks to the expect revolutionary results. Yet, it is cution, still looking for its moral voice in avoid misconstruing the and impact hopes and suffering of all humanity. His sol- through encounter that spiritual change post-Soviet Russian society. of the Havana rendezvous. idarity with the poor, passionate global occurs. Let us pray for good spiritual fruit. Many internal observers say that in the The encounter does have serious ecu- peacemaking and eschewing of trappings Putin years the leadership of the ROC, menical import and potential, but it should in ecclesial service appeal to a universal Bishop Borys Gudziak leads the Eparchy increasingly wedded to state power, has be remembered that significant and more audience. These papal priorities, implicitly of St. Volodymyr in Paris for Ukrainians in sacrificed its freedom and undermined its substantive meetings between pope and or explicitly, will be presented to Patriarch France, Benelux and Switzerland. He is head prophetic vocation while receiving lucra- patriarch have occurred long ago. The Kirill, whose nationalistic ecclesial ideology of the Department of External Church tive government support. Today, Patriarch groundbreaking meeting between Pope of the “Russian World” bolsters Mr. Putin’s Relations of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Kirill’s civic standing in the Russian popula- Paul IV and the Patriarch of Constantinople military actions for empire and who has Church and president of the Ukrainian tion is much lower than that of Vladimir Athenagoras I in 1964 led to the mutual lift- been more than susceptible to power poli- Catholic University in Lviv. This commentary Putin. The role in society of the ROC is rath- ing of mutual 900-year-old anathemas. tics and Church-state entanglement. was released on February 11. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8

“Freedom or Death” screens at “Heavenly Brigade” commemoration

by Matthew Dubas PASSAIC, N.J. – More than 100 people – many dressed in embroidered Ukrainian “vyshyvanky” – came on February 4 to the Ukrainian Center in Passaic, N.J., for a commemora- tive evening to mark the two-year anniversary of the sacri- fices made by the Heavenly Brigade during the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. The program was opened in Ukrainian by Ivana Lotoshynski, who gave a brief description of the film, “Volya abo Smert” (“Freedom or Death”) by Damian Kolodiy and film editor Sean Murphy. Following the screening, Mr. Kolodiy responded to many of the questions and comments from the audience. Many expressed hope, that with much financial support, that the film will reach a larger audience. In late 2013, Mr. Kolodiy went to Ukraine to film the growing protests, then left for the U.S. to seek more funds to Sean Murphy continue filming as well as to urge that supplies needed to Community members commemorate the fallen heroes of the Revolution of Dignity at the Ukrainian Center in be sent to Maidan activists. He returned to Ukraine to what Passaic, N.J., with lit candles and prayers led by the Rev. Andriy Dudkevych of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic he thought would be a protest, and ended up covering a war. Church in Passaic. In making the film, he explained, “I wanted to present the pain and reality of the Maidan to cultivate solidarity in the viewer to help Ukraine and to understand the situation without bias on the ground.” He also sought outside criti- cism to understand what the film needed. Mr. Kolodiy also explained his experience screening the film in the Donbas, including in , and . Video footage can be found on YouTube. “It has been rewarding to witness the change within Ukrainians in Ukraine after the screenings,” Mr. Kolodiy noted. “The film hit them a lot harder than the disapora audience due to the information bubble created by Russia, and the way we showed the facts on the ground. The film serves as a tool for learning.” Many viewers at the screening in Passaic compared “Freedom or Death” to the similar documentary that is up for an Oscar, “Winter on Fire.” Mr. Kolodiy recalled that his most memorable experiences from working on the film were from seeing the unwavering commitment of the pro- Community activists and commemorative evening organizers with filmmaker Damian Kolodiy (center). (Continued on page 11) Endowment at Age 18*

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The Ukrainian National Association, Inc. 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 For instant quotes call General information – 800-253-9862 www.UkrainianNationalAssociation.org facebook.com/UkrainianNationalAssociation 888-538-2833 No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 11

Lidia Ivanova Veronika is happy to show off her new garden. She is one of four children in her fami- Maria Zmyslia ly, now living in an uncompleted building. They are happy to have at least that. Horses also flee the war. This horse moved with its owners from the . Photography exhibit: “Life in Transition through the Eyes of Youth”

USAID KYIV – The U.S. Agency for International Development on January 15-30 sponsored an exhibition here at America House of photos taken by young people internally displaced by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The young pho- tographers produced the images on display dur- ing a National Geographic Photo Camp held in during the summer of 2015. National Geographic organized the camp for internally displaced person age 17-30, asking that they tell the story of their new lives through photos that depict their impressions, hopes and concerns. After Nat Geo experts provided the group a week of intensive training in photography, they handed them cameras and set them off to record their impressions. The exhibition pres- ents 50 of the most evocative images. Viktoria Borodatova Over the last several months, the exhibition Mykyta Nekh The most talkative girl in the Romashka camp for the dis- Oleksander Tykhonovych, 86, an ailing pensioner from placed, located outside of Kharkiv. She loves to paint and has toured Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, a former miner. He spoke at length about the tough remains optimistic. Odesa, Severodonetsk, Sloviansk and Lviv. lot of the displaced persons.

America House Kyiv/Vitaliy Chumak Zorii Fain, one of the mentor photographers, explains to journalists how this art project rais- Alisa Stoyanova es issues of human rights, encourages a better integration of vulnerable communities and “V” moved from Zakarpattia to Donetsk, where she worked at a factory that opens peacemaking dialogue. serviced the mines. She still considers Donetsk home.

on the Maidan and other abuses in the courts. Catholic Church in Passaic led the audience in a prayer ser- “Freedom or Death”... Other topics raised during the discussion after the vice for the souls of those who died on the Maidan. screening included international Ukraine fatigue and how A similar screening was held in Philadelphia, and upcom- (Continued from page 10) to combat it, with some suggesting the use of the short film ing screenings are planned for Bloomingdale, Ill., on February testers, as well as watching the footage days later and the format (such as Mr. Kolodiy’s 25-minute film documenting 28, with a commemorative event at St. Andrew Ukrainian impact of filming the casualties. Also, what happened in his trip to Donbas schools). There was talk also of exposing Orthodox Cathedral, and in March (to be announced) a Ukraine has mobilized Ukrainians worldwide, with more the faults of the current government, and how the neces- screening will be held at Stanford University. Mr. Kolodiy is people becoming activists, he noted, adding that commit- sary level of humanitarian aid in Ukraine does not come collecting funds to promote this film at colleges and univer- ment to Ukraine continues. from the government. sities, and among the non-Ukrainian audiences. There was concern about the historical and archival Many audience members, Mr. Kolodiy told The Weekly, The 72-minute film, “Freedom or Death” is available for preservation in Ukraine of footage from the Maidan events. thought they’d see “nothing new,” but the film succeeded in purchase and screenings can be arranged through the Mr. Kolodiy said that more footage has been collected from emotionally shaking and stirring them. That, he added, was Journeyman Pictures website, www.journeyman.tv/69181/ the Maidan events than since the 2004 Orange Revolution. due to the approach of keeping the viewer in the moment documentaries/freedom-or-death-hd.html. Trailers are There was also a suggestion that the government in without breaking to “talking heads,” as well as the decision available on Youtube, and the film is also available on iTunes Ukraine screen the film to remind the government that to not censor the severity of the Maidan events. and Google Play. Readers may also visit the film’s Facebook there are judges in Ukraine who are responsible for deaths The Rev. Andriy Dudkevych from St. Nicholas Ukrainian page, facebook.com/freedomordeathmovie. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8

Aivaras Abromavicius, resigned from the the nation to the extreme point of destruc- ing up: problems with his health, problems NEWSBRIEFS post of economy minister. Mr. Abromavicius tion.” The leader of the party, Yulia with the [prison] director, who is repri- said his resignation was born out of frustra- Tymoshenko, made the announcement on manding him without cause.” Mr. Afanasiev (Continued from page 2) tion over the “sharp escalation in efforts to February 17 and urged other lawmakers to was arrested in Crimea in May 2014, along zations, Russian authorities deny every- block systemic and important reforms.” also walk out of the coalition. The move with Mr. Sentsov and two other men, and thing and claim that believers of all reli- (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) came after lawmakers representing was accused of being part of a terrorist con- Batkivshchyna and Samopomich boycotted spiracy on the Black Sea peninsula, which gions faiths are treated equally in Crimea. Viktor Shokin reportedly resigns ( Press) a parliamentary session to protest against had been annexed by Russia two months KYIV – Ukrainian media and a pro-West- Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s surviv- earlier. Mr. Afanasiev initially provided testi- Russia files lawsuit against Ukraine ern member of Ukraine’s Parliament say al in a no-confidence vote. Samopomich mony that helped convict Sentsov and his called the February 16 Parliament vote “a co-defendant Oleksandr Kolchenko. But he MOSCOW – Russia has filed a lawsuit Procurator General Viktor Shokin resigned cynical overthrow of the government” and later retracted his statement, saying he had against Ukraine after Kyiv failed to repay a $3 on February 16 after President Petro accused President Petro Poroshenko of tak- been tortured by Russian security agents. billion Eurobond. Russian Finance Minister Poroshenko asked him and Prime Minister ing part in it. Mr. Yatsenyuk survived the He was sentenced in December 2014 by a Anton Siluanov said the lawsuit was filed on Arseniy Yatsenyuk to step down. Mr. Shokin’s deputy, meanwhile, said the prose- no-confidence vote on February 16, hours Moscow court, and sent to a prison colony February 17 at the High Court in London. after Mr. Poroshenko called on him to in the northern Russian region of Komi. Mr. “This lawsuit was filed after repeated unsuc- cutor had taken a three-day vacation, but did not specify whether in fact he had resigned. resign “in order to restore trust in the gov- Popkov said Afanasiev had also been barred cessful attempts to engage Ukraine in con- Mr. Shokin has faced accusations of stalling ernment.” Mr. Yatsenyuk said on February from receiving telephone calls, and relatives structive dialogue about restructuring the high-profile corruption cases against allies of 17 that it was essential to reshuffle the rul- reported he hadn’t been receiving mail since debt and to admit the fact that Russia-owned Viktor Yanukovych, the former president ing coalition, adding that he was in discus- December. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Igor Eurobonds are an official loan,” Mr. Siluanov who was toppled by protests in February sions with political groups, including the Bubnov from RFE/RL’s Russian Service) said in comments quoted by Russian media. 2014. The newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda populist Radical party. (RFE/RL, with Prosecutor seeks closure of Tatar Mejlis The Eurobond was issued by the government cited an unidentified source in Mr. Shokin’s reporting by Reuters) of former President Viktor Yanukovych in late office as saying that the procurator general SYMFEROPOL, Ukraine – The prosecutor Three soldiers reported killed in east 2013 and bought by Russia in its entirety. The had tendered his resignation following a in Russian-occupied Crimea has filed a bond was issued just two months before Mr. February 16 statement by President KYIV – Ukraine said on February 16 that request with that territory’s Supreme Court Yanukovych fled Ukraine amid street protests Poroshenko that Messrs. Shokin and three of its servicemen have been killed and to ban the Crimean Tatars’ self-governing triggered by his seeking to halt Ukraine’s Yatsenyuk should quit “in order to restore seven wounded in fighting with Russia- body, the Mejlis. The Mejlis has refused to swing toward European integration in favor trust in the government.” The Ukrainian backed separatists in the past 24 hours. recognize Russia’s forced annexation of the of closer economic ties with Russia. Ukraine, news portal lb.ua also cited an unidentified Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuznyak peninsula from Ukraine nearly two years which has separately reached an agreement source as confirming Shokin’s resignation. said the fighting had taken place on the front ago and played a key role in the consolida- with private creditors to restructure its sover- National Deputy Mustafa Nayyem wrote on line near the village of Zaitseve, some 50 tion of efforts on behalf of Crimean Tatars. eign and sovereign-guaranteed debt, insists his Twitter feed that Mr. Shokin had resigned kilometers north of the separatist strong- Natalya Poklonskaya signed the request on the Eurobond is a commercial debt and that it but did not indicate a source for this infor- hold of Donetsk. Meanwhile, the separatists February 15 to brand the Mejlis “an extrem- cannot offer Russia a better deal than other mation, which could not be immediately said shelling from the Ukrainian government ist organization,” Russian news agencies creditors. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by confirmed. U.S. officials, including the U.S. side had hit Zaitseve and Donetsk suburbs. reported. The reports say Poklonskaya AFP and Reuters) ambassador in Kyiv, have long made clear More than 9,000 people have been killed in handed a copy of the legal challenge to a their position that Mr. Shokin should resign, leader of the Mejlis, Nariman Celal, the Deputy procurator-general resigns fighting between government forces and and in Washington, Mr. Poroshenko’s call for rebels in eastern Ukraine since April 2014, same day. Many Crimean Tatars fled Crimea KYIV – Ukrainian Deputy Procurator Mr. Shokin to go was welcomed. “The and a year-old ceasefire agreement has during or after its military seizure by Russia General Vitalii Kasko, known for his pro- announcement to replace [Shokin] is a signal failed to completely stop the violence. On in early 2014, and others who remained reform stance, has resigned. Mr. Kasko told of Ukraine’s seriousness about its reform February 14, the head of the Organization have complained of harassment or even journalists in Kyiv on February 15 that “the process,” U.S. State Department spokesman for Security and Cooperation in Europe disappearances under the Moscow-backed straw that broke the camel’s back” was a Mark Toner told reporters on February 16. (OSCE), Lamberto Zannier, told RFE/RL that authorities on the peninsula. The European move by Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin “It’s important to restore the confidence of fighting had flared up in eastern Ukraine and Parliament this month overwhelmingly to take all of Kasko’s activities under his the Ukrainian people in their justice system, the humanitarian situation was “dire.” (RFE/ approved a resolution to condemn Russia control. “The Procurator General’s Office but clearly there is an immense amount of RL, based on reporting by Reuters and for its treatment of the minority group, today is a dead institution, in independence work yet to be done in countering corrup- Interfax) which one member said, “have been perse- tion, including in the prosecutorial service,” cuted from the very beginning of the and efficiency, that nobody believes in any- Lawyer: Afanasiev’s health worsening more,” Mr. Kasko said. U.S. Ambassador to Mr. Toner said. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Russian invasion.” Ms. Poklonskaya’s move Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt wrote on Twitter pravda.com.ua, lb.ua, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian MOSCOW – A Ukrainian who testified in came four days after the Russian authori- after Mr. Kasko’s announcement that “Kasko Service and Reuters) the Russian trial of filmmaker Oleh Sentsov ties who control Crimea arrested several Crimean Tatars on suspicion of belonging to was a champion of reforms in the prosecu- Tymoshenko party quits coalition and later recanted his testimony has been tor-general’s office in Ukraine. His resigna- transferred to a harsh punishment cell and Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist political organi- tion will interrupt the progress of reforms KYIV – Batkivshchyna, an ally in is being denied medical care despite wors- zation that is banned across Central Asia in Ukraine.” Earlier in February, another Ukraine’s ruling coalition, has quit, calling ening health. Hennadiy Afanasiev’s lawyer and Russia. Crimean Tatars activists reject- reformist member of the government, the alliance a “clans’ coalition that brought told RFE/RL that Mr. Afanasiev, who is serv- ed the charges, saying that they were politi- ing a seven-year prison sentence after being cally motivated. Established in 1991 and convicted on charges widely seen as fabri- legalized by the Ukrainian government in cated, had requested a transfer to another 1999, the Mejlis has been known as an facility so he could get treatment for a blood organ that addressed issues related to infection, but that has been rejected. Earlier Crimean Tatars to Kyiv and international this month, they moved him to a punish- bodies. Crimean Tatars are native to the TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 ment cell, his lawyer, Aleksandr Popkov, Black Sea peninsula but were deported to or e-mail [email protected] said, after allegedly finding contraband Central Asia by Soviet dictator items including a cell phone SIM-card and, in 1944. They began returning in large SERVICES PROFESSIONALS earlier, a razor blade. Mr. Afanasiev denied numbers to Crimea in the late 1980s and the items were his. “They’re seriously now comprise more than 12.5 percent of squeezing him,” Mr. Popkov said. “They’re Crimea’s population of 2.5 million. (RFE/ using the full power of the repressive RL, with reporting by TASS and Interfax) machine against him. This, most likely, wor- ries him most. One thing after another is pil- (Continued on page 14)

FOR THE RECORD Joint statement by G-7 ambassadors

OPPORTUNITIES on principles of public policy in Ukraine The following statement was issued joint- be translated into actions. Earn extra income! ly by the G-7 ambassadors to Ukraine. 2. G-7 ambassadors are fully committed (Source: U.S. Embassy in Ukraine) to supporting Ukraine in its reform efforts The Ukrainian Weekly is looking and will continue to work together for the for advertising sales agents. 1. G-7 ambassadors welcome the benefit of the people of Ukraine. For additional information contact Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, announcement made by the Cabinet of 3. G-7 ambassadors are further commit- The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. Ministers on the basic objectives and prin- ted to supporting a strong, united, account- ciples of public policy on February 11, able and reform-oriented government. We 2016, in particular, zero tolerance to politi- call on all Ukraine’s political institutions – Run your advertisement here, cal interference and corruption. However, the government, the Presidential we believe much still needs to be done to Administration and the [Verkhovna] Rada – in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. implement these principles. Words need to to work together. No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 13

of External Church Relations, explained that deal with nearly half a century of their since Athenagoras I in the 1960s have As pope and Russian... the meeting between the pope and the church buildings being occupied by the enjoyed increasing prominence due precise- Russian patriarch will take place despite Moscow Patriarchate (1946-1989), and the ly to their ever-improving relations with (Continued from page 9) “the problem of Unia” (a disparaging term fact that ever since they have come out of Rome, which have resulted in some very two Orthodox Churches as schismatic rene- for the Eastern Catholic Churches) which he the underground, they have encountered respectful actions toward Constantinople gades incapable of offering the faithful characterized as a “never-healing bleeding incessant vilification by the Russian and Orthodoxy in general by the papacy. divine grace since their clergy and sacra- wound that prevents the full normalization Orthodox Church – as, for example, during Time is running out for the Moscow ments, indeed their whole Churches, are of relations between the two Churches.” the Papal Synod on the Family last October, Patriarch to establish himself as able to “uncanonical.” Metropolitan Hilarion admitted that when Metropolitan Hilarion used his invita- carry the mantle of such leadership. Many intense negotiations regarding such a tion as an observer to unleash a tirade have doubted that the Great and Holy ‘Great wound’ in Catholic-Orthodox meeting had been taking place at least as against Ukrainian Greek-Catholics, causing Synod would indeed materialize, but now it relations early as 1996, but that “all these years, the many of those present to recoil in chagrin. is only several months away. The patriarch principal problem in the relations between of Moscow needs to act. Moscow considers the Ukrainian Greek- What’s behind the pope-patriarch This reaching for attention is all the Catholic Church to constitute the great the two Churches, and the principal obsta- summit? wound between the Catholic and Orthodox cle for holding a meeting between the two more important for Moscow in light of the Churches. Disparagingly referring to the primates, has lied in Unia.” One would think that in light of these ever growing calls for the autocephaly members of this dynamic Church as “uni- He listed the following issues as exacer- facts, Ukrainian Greek-Catholics might be (independence) of the Orthodox Church in ates,” Moscow consistently complains of bating problems. opposed to a meeting between Pope Ukraine. It seems unlikely that the world’s “violent takeovers of churches” in western 1) “The fact that the Uniates devastated Francis and Patriarch Kirill. Instead, the Orthodox Churches would sacrifice the suc- Ukraine by these Eastern Catholics. three dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate opposite is true. cess of the long-awaited council for the This has been going on since the de-crim- in western Ukraine in the 1980s and The day after the meeting was announced, sake of the issue of Ukrainian Orthodox inalization of the Greek-Catholic Church on 1990s…” Here he is referring to the fact His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of independence, since all decisions will December 1, 1989 (the day that Mikhail that, given the chance to finally do so after the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, require consensus according to the rules Gorbachev met with Pope John Paul II). nearly half a century of absolute persecu- remarked: “I do not expect that the meeting they have adopted. Nevertheless, Moscow But Moscow’s case fails on two very tion, millions of Ukrainian Greek-Catholic of Pope Francis with Patriarch Kirill, seems more nervous about the issue, and important points. parishioners declared themselves to actual- planned for February 12, will bring any about the role of the ecumenical patriarch, First of all, it neglects to mention that ly be Ukrainian Greek-Catholic rather than particular changes. Although it is good that than ever before, and that could well be one these churches all belonged to the Russian Orthodox. the meeting will take place and I am happy of the reasons why Moscow wants to shore Ukrainian Greek-Catholics until 1946, when 2) “That they moved the headquarters of that finally there is an understanding on up its relationship with Rome. a pseudo-synod was held in Lviv. By no the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church from the part of the Russian Orthodox Church In the end, the sad fact is that the standards could this be construed as a Lviv to Kyiv…” The Ukrainians are certainly that meetings are necessary.” Russian Orthodox Church is alarmingly legitimate council, since it was not attended guilty of this. They had the audacity to The Ukrainian Greek-Catholic primate subservient to the government. It is, there- by a single Ukrainian Greek-Catholic bish- move their headquarters back to the city of added that the meeting will take place just fore, impossible to imagine so momentous op; all had been arrested. It was orchestrat- Kyiv, the see of Metropolitan Michael days before the 70th anniversary of the Lviv a move as the first meeting with the pope of ed on Joseph Stalin’s orders by the secret Rohoza and his successors for more than pseudo-synod, during which the Greek- Rome to have been made without the police with the direct complicity of the two centuries, and the natural location for a Catholic Church was forcibly liquidated in explicit blessing of Vladimir Putin. Moscow Patriarchate. Church that is not simply some sort of 1946 and joined to the Russian Orthodox. So the question must be asked: What’s in The council supposedly broke the com- regional reality in westernmost Ukraine. “The Russian Orthodox Church, unfortu- it for Putin? Could it be that the interna- munion of this Church with Rome and “re- 3) “That the Greek-Catholic Church’s nately, to this day has not condemned this tional isolation of Russia after its Crimean united” it with the Russian Orthodox mission extended to the traditionally act of coercion, perpetrated by the Soviet and Donbas adventures, coupled with the Church. Most of its church buildings were Orthodox lands in eastern and southern authorities. We hope that the meeting of the disastrously low price of Russia’s economic given to the Moscow Patriarchate. Thus, the Ukraine.” In an increasingly mobile and glo- pope and the patriarch will create a new mainstay, oil, along with a badly disguised “seizing” of these church buildings by the balized world, the Moscow Church’s cling- context for movement in the direction of bombing campaign to prop up Bashar parishioners who simply declared their ing to the notion of “traditional lands” historical justice,” said Patriarch Sviatoslav. Al-Assad and establish a Russian presence in allegiance to the Greek-Catholic Church in sounds increasingly like the Kremlin’s Unfortunately, the Russian Orthodox the Middle East, are all taking their toll and 1989 and the years that followed is hardly desire to preserve or re-establish geopoliti- Church has consistently refused to address Mr. Putin needs to come out of this scenario some ecumenical setback. cal “spheres of influence.” the issues surrounding this pseudo-synod, with some shred of credibility as a kind of In fact, I was witness to a misguided In fact, Patriarch Kirill has been a very the liquidation of the Greek-Catholic “champion of persecuted Christians”? attempt by some “ecumenists” in 1990 to vocal exponent, if not the main ideologue, Church, the arrests, deportations and Can anyone seriously doubt that this is try to limit the resurgence of the Greek- of the Kremlin’s favored idea of “Russkiy deaths of countless faithful who refused to what is really going on? Catholic Church. They hoped these Eastern mir” (“the Russian world”), which Vladimir leave the Catholic Church for Russian When the announcement of the meeting Catholics would choose either Roman-rite Putin uses to buttress his intrusions into Orthodoxy. One can only hope that this first was made, a number of commentators Catholicism or Orthodoxy, thus magically neighboring countries. Interestingly, the meeting between the heads of the Church began gushing about the coming reunifica- doing away with “the problem of the uni- Russian Orthodox Church does not seem to of Rome and the Church of Moscow will tion of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. ates.” The plan failed miserably, because apply the same scruples about traditional encourage the objective and transparent Others speculated about the possibility of millions of people clearly wanted to be who lands when it establishes parishes and dio- examination of these sad events. the meeting leading to a common date for they already were: Orthodox Christians in ceses in Western Europe or Latin America. Given the absolute refusal of the Moscow the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection. full and visible communion with Rome. 4) “That they [Ukrainian Greek-Catholics] Patriarchate to countenance the possibility of Few took notice of the assurances to pow- The Joint International Commission for supported the schismatics [the Ukrainian a meeting between pope and patriarch for erful conservative elements in the Russian Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Orthodox Church – Kyivan Patriarchate] – all two decades, due to the “never-healing bleed- Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Hilarion Church and the Orthodox Church spent 10 these factors only aggravated the problem.” ing wound” of the Unia, it is not surprising that there will be no praying going on at the years trying to deal in some adequate fash- By “support,” Hilarion must mean “failed to that many ask themselves what has changed. meeting, which will be held in the spectacu- ion with the reality of the restoration of reli- revile as uncanonical and therefore bereft of Why is the Russian Orthodox Church larly secular environment of an airport gious liberty and the renewed open pastoral divine grace.” In fact, the Greek-Catholic suddenly willing to have this meeting go lounge in Havana. activity of several Eastern Catholic Churches, Church has worked amicably with all of the forward? That’s a lucky thing for Patriarch Kirill, most notably in Ukraine and Romania. three major Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. The official answer is that the two lead- since many in his Church consider Even though the 1993 Balamand 5) “The situation aggravated further as a ers will put aside other differences in order Catholics worthy of re-baptism, rejecting all Declaration condemned the approach of result of the recent events in Ukraine, in to come together for the sake of persecuted notions of Rome constituting a “sister- uniatism (carving out pieces of one Church which Greek-Catholic representatives took Christians of the Middle East. There is Church” with real priesthood and real sac- in order to unite them with the other), it a direct part, coming out with anti-Russian indeed a catastrophic, even genocidal raments. It is unthinkable for the patriarch affirmed the right of the Eastern Catholic and Russophobic slogans.” There have cer- movement against Syrian and other ancient of Moscow to pray with the Pope. Indeed, Churches to exist and to act. tainly been individual Ukrainian Greek- Christian communities, to which the rest of these same very vocal forces decry ecu- For some Orthodox, the very existence of Catholics, including priests and laypeople, the world had failed to provide an adequate menism as the ultimate “pan-heresy.” these Eastern Catholic Churches is seen as who have reacted to Russian aggression response. One can only hope that this is, in So much will depend on the spin given to a threat. The Moscow Patriarchate seems to against Ukraine with very unfortunate and fact the genuine motivation. this meeting. I don’t think Pope Francis will hold this view. Thus, for years the Russian even un-Christian language. There are, however, some additional allow himself to be hoodwinked or outma- Orthodox Church has complained about The fact is, such vitriol has appeared on facts that need to be considered. neuvered in Havana. He is much too shrewd Ukrainian Greek-Catholics engaging in both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The Orthodox Churches are in the final to allow that to happen. But my confidence in unspecified acts of violence against the Russian clerics and hierarchs have allowed stages of preparing their “Great and Holy the Vatican’s ability to outdo the Kremlin’s Orthodox. When confronted directly and themselves to speak derisively of Ukrainians, Council,” bringing together leaders of all propaganda machine is much shakier. Too asked to provide evidence of concrete calling them everything from Nazis to anti- Orthodox churches for the first time in 1,000 many there are still beholden to a hopelessly examples, the Moscow Patriarchate has Semites, with very little concern for verifica- years, which is to take place in June. Over the outdated Ostpolitik. always come up empty-handed. tion of the facts. One would have to admit past few years, Moscow has been doing its One could be forgiven for having low And yet the Russian Orthodox Church that these statements could be interpreted best to subvert the notion that the ecumenical expectations, given all the weighty baggage has consistently blocked the possibility of a as anti-Ukrainian and Ukrainophobic. patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, that is tied up in this meeting. And yet, it meeting between the pope of Rome and the But it was not Russia that was invaded, exercises any sort of relevant primacy among seems that Pope Francis hopes it can yield patriarch of Moscow, precisely on the and no Russian territory has been seized by the Orthodox, even as first-among-equals. results. More importantly, I believe that the grounds that issues first needed to be Ukraine. The Ukrainian army is not waging As far as Moscow is concerned, leader- Holy Spirit can surprise us all, no matter resolved surrounding the activity of the war inside Russia. That detail is quite ship of the Orthodox communion should fall what human calculation has gone into the Greek-Catholic Church and of the supposed important. In fact, representatives of the to the largest and wealthiest of the Orthodox planning of this encounter. proselytism by Catholics in Russia. Moscow Patriarchate have openly support- Churches – itself – rather than to a patriarch Furthermore, if anything at all can be At a press conference on February 5, ed the Kremlin’s aggression in Eastern with residence in Istanbul who has a tiny done to ease the plight of Christians in the Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev, chairman of Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea. flock in Turkey, a non-Christian nation. The Middle East, both Catholics and Orthodox the Russian Orthodox Church’s Department Ukrainian Greek-Catholics have had to trouble is that the ecumenical patriarchs should support it with our prayers. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8 UCEF orphan fund has distributed $3 million since 2005 iDonate helps Ukrainian Catholic by Matthew Matuszak Education Foundation reap big rewards CHICAGO – Since it was founded in 2005, the Ginger CHICAGO – Dallas-based iDonate works with small founda- Fund of the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation tions nationwide to convert donor “stuff” into cash donations. (UCEF) in the United States has donated more than $3 Profits realized through the sale of vehicles, real estate, elec- million to projects that help orphans, street kids, and tronics and other items that donors no longer need help a other needy children in Ukraine. “Ginger,” the namesake small foundation more quickly meet fund-raising goals. of the fund, is an anonymous Roman Catholic donor. The Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) in Chicago, which has been partnered with iDonate for only a The fund has helped dozens and dozens of organiza- few months, has already seen the power of the process. With tions, and hundreds and hundreds of children in its just one appeal, the foundation, which supports the Ukrainian decade of existence. Projects include partial operating Catholic University in Ukraine, received an offer, among oth- costs given to smaller orphanages run by Roman and ers, of an older model Mercedes-Benz. “In the past,” noted Ukrainian Catholic organizations and outreach to street Nelson Bosacoma, chief financial officer of UCEF, “such a gen- children and “social orphans.” erous offer would have put us in a quandary.” Mariana Kashchak, manager of projects and programs Now iDonate will take care of the entire process, starting at the Ukraine-based Lviv Education Foundation, is coor- with online or telephone contact initiated by the donor, then dinating a newer project supported by the fund. The shipping and liquidation. UCEF will receive the majority of the project’s main goal is to encourage young and older peo- Grygorii Prystai value of the liquidation, and the donor receives 100 percent ple from parishes throughout Ukraine to help needy local Orphans and children whose parents are serving in credit for a tax-deductible donation. the army take part in a summer art program in children in various ways. “iDonate is a huge enabler to a small foundation like ours. It Lavriv, , sponsored by the Ginger Fund of In 2015 this project, Development of the Volunteer the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation. allows us to receive non-cash donations, physical goods, and, Movement at Parishes, supported 25 mini-projects in the through the iDonate platform, convert these into cash, with- Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Volyn, Khmelnytsky, of their country, to organize leisure activities and more. out putting the burden of the process on the shoulders of our Zakarpattia, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson and Rivne regions. Protection Parish in Vilcha, Kharkiv Oblast, organized small staff,” continued Mr. Bosacoma. Thanks to the Ginger Fund, the Ukrainian Catholic 20 weeks of art therapy classes for the children of refu- Alex Kuzma, UCEF director of development, underscores the Parish of Ss. Borys and Hlib in Khmelnytsky Oblast, for gees, children from state-run orphanages and other ease of the process. “Many of our older donors have a small example, was able to organize a summer camp for 35 needy children. vacation home, or a second car, valuable jewelry, china, silver- orphans, refugees from eastern Ukraine and children “We thank UCEF’s Ginger Fund for supporting the ware that their children do not want. Managing the sale and transfer of such assets is often a burden. With iDonate, their bur- whose relatives have perished in the war. “The camp’s program Providing Mentors for Children of Heroes of the den becomes our asset. They support the university and make schedule was pretty busy,” recounted Ms. Kashchak. ATO, said Marianna Kaspryshyn-Bilyk, coordinator of their lives easier at the same time. This program is open to all.” “There was daily liturgy and catechism, Christian- another of the innovative projects that the fund helps. The Ukrainian Catholic University educates leaders for patriotic songs, dances, games, soccer. One day the kids “For this provides an opportunity to get youth involved in Church and society to serve in Ukraine, the United States and climbed to the top of Mount Makovytsia.” activities during this difficult time for Ukraine, to develop other countries. In addition to its established liberal-arts pro- Ascension Parish in the Rivne Oblast organized craft their vision of how to help in a proper way and how to be grams and business school, the university is opening a new classes for 79 children in local orphanages. They also truly useful in today’s conditions.” Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine to address the needs of started classes to teach the English language and other The main focus of the Ukrainian Catholic Education soldiers and civilians wounded in the current conflict in the educational efforts. Foundation is to raise funds to support the students and eastern regions of Ukraine. UCEF has been helping support The Kherson and Tavria Eparchy of the Ukrainian activities of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. the university’s mission since 1997. Orthodox Church–Kyiv Patriarchate was able to teach More information is available at www.ucef.org, or by call- For more information about UCEF’s iDonate program, 100 teenagers, including youths whose parents are serv- ing 773-235-8462 or writing to: UCEF, 2247 W. Chicago readers may visit http://ucef.org/make-a-gift or call 773-235- ing in the army and also street children, about the history Ave., Chicago, IL 60622. 8462, extension 104.

separatist-held areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk Manor College... Foreign ministers... regions, withdrawal of foreign forces, and the return of Ukrainian control over the border with Russia, among (Continued from page 4) (Continued from page 1) other things. the first of the Soviet republics that voluntarily gave up its nucle- saying that “the question of war and peace has returned Russia denies it has sent weapons and troops into east- ar arsenal, adding, “We have an obligation to help these people.” to the European continent” following Moscow’s seizure ern Ukraine despite what Kyiv and NATO say is over- Mr. Weldon urged bipartisan support for continued relations of Crimea and backing for separatists in eastern whelming evidence. with the current government of Ukraine. Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Pavlo Klimkin said Mr. Artemenko, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, began He did not identify Russia by name. But he said that before the meeting that Russia is not adhering to its his portion of the program by asking for a moment of silence to after the end of the Cold War and the violent 20th cen- obligations. He said he hoped to focus on security, pris- honor the more than 10,000 Ukrainians who have died as a tury “we had thought that peace had returned to oner exchanges, and discussions of how to hold “free result of the ongoing conflict with Russia. As chairman of the Europe for good” and that “borders would not be put and fair elections.” Solidarity of Right Forces party in Ukraine’s coalition govern- into question.” Mr. Klimkin said foreign affairs ministers planned to ment, Mr. Artemenko advocated support for President Petro The “turbulence” on Europe’s eastern edge is one of come together again in early March in Paris for a full- Poroshenko and stressed the importance of stabilizing Ukraine several major challenges the European Union is facing, Mr. fledged meeting. financially as keys to future prosperity. Steinmeier said. A Ukrainian businessman and investor who has spent decades The war between Kyiv’s forces and Russia-backed With reporting by UNIAN and RIA. working in areas of international commodities and facilities, Mr. separatists has killed more than 9,000 people since Copyright 2016, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the per- Rovt spoke about engaging youth as a key to future stability in April 2014. Fighting has diminished substantially since mission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Ukraine, a common theme cited by many of the other speakers. September 2015, but many aspects of the Minsk deal Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl. Congresswoman Kaptur took this concept a step further, not- have not been implemented. org (see http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-conflict- ing that the Internet has made world cultures available to The deal calls for elections under Ukrainian law in minsk-deal-munich-conference/ 27550002.html) Ukrainian youth at the touch of a button. She stressed the need for expanded cultural and family exchange programs between the United States and Ukraine, which will ensure that U.S. aid dol- Zannier, secretary-general of the Organization for lars are well spent. NEWSBRIEFS Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said his organization was prepared to facilitate elections on the A former defense advisor to the U.S. Mission to NATO, Mr. (Continued from page 12) Weinrod closed the program by presenting a geopolitical per- separatist-held territory. He said he had discussed with spective on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He touted the academic Donbas not ready for elections Ukrainian officials the possibility of creating an interna- and policy think tank consensus as proof that a stable Ukraine is tional police mission to “help creating a secure environ- good for both Eastern Europe and the international community. DONETSK, Ukraine – Russia-backed separatists in ment for the elections.” (RFE/RL, based on reporting by He suggested developing more bipartisan support and bringing eastern Ukraine say that local elections mandated by TASS and Interfax) the Minsk process on ending the conflict in the region Ukraine closer to NATO as primary goals for lasting peace. Ukraine flu death toll tops 280 The entire program can be viewed on YouTube at https:// can only be held toward the end of this year. Separatist www..com/watch?v=NbLArcq_bV4. official Vladislav Deinego said in the Ukrainian city of KYIV – The death toll of the influenza epidemic in Manor College President Peri noted that the college plans to Donetsk on February 14 that first the political situation Ukraine has reached 286, the Health Ministry has said. host more Ukrainian-themed programming in the future. must “stabilize” and economic concerns must be According to the ministry on February 15, two preg- Located in suburban Philadelphia, Manor College is a private addressed. “It will take at least half a year to complete nant women and four young people under 17 years of two-year institution offering transfer and career-oriented pro- constitutional reform and at least a month to adopt a age were among those killed by the flu since late grams to traditional age and adult students. Manor was founded law on elections and begin preparing,” he said. “It turns September. The largest number of deaths from the flu in 1947 by the Ukrainian Sisters of St. Basil the Great. As an insti- out it will take at least 10 months.” Russian Foreign has been registered in the regions of Kyiv and Odesa. tution of higher learning related to the Ukrainian Catholic Church Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking in Munich on On January 26, Health Minister Aleksandr Kvitashvili of the Eastern tradition, the college is committed to the preserva- February 13, urged Kyiv to adopt “constitutional reform officially announced a flu epidemic in the country. tion of its spiritual and ethnic heritage. For more information see that will reinforce the permanent status of Donbas.” In (RFE/RL, based on reporting by UNIAN and DailyLviv. http://www.Manor.edu. an interview with TASS on February 14, Lamberto com) No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 15

NOTES ON PEOPLE established an internationally recognized, research-based program of exhibitions, lec- Renowned curator Marta Kuzma tures, seminars, and projects. Ms. Kuzma was the founding director of the Soros named dean of Yale School of Art Center for Contemporary Art in Kyiv; served by Mike Cummings ative in character, visionary in formulation, as artistic director of the Washington critical in structure and acumen, generous Yale News Project for the Arts, in the District of in terms of community building, and collab- Columbia; and as head of the international NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Marta Kuzma, vice- orative with those who constitute the insti- exhibitions program at International Center chancellor and rector of the Royal Institute tution as a whole — its students, profes- of Photography in New York City. Ms. Kuzma of Art in Stockholm, will be the next dean of sors, and staff.” has extensive experience curating high-lev- the Yale School of Art, President Peter With more than 25 years of experience el, international exhibitions. Salovey announced on February 9 in a mes- in leading international institutions of con- She is a visiting professor in art theory at sage to the Yale community. temporary art as a curator, writer and aca- the Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Ms. Kuzma will be the first woman to lead demic, Ms. Kuzma brings to Yale a deep Venezia in Venice and at Universita Bocconi the School of Art, which opened in 1869 as knowledge of contemporary art, artists, in Milan. the nation’s first art school connected with and the role of art in broader social change. Born in New Jersey, she holds a B.A. from an institution of higher learning. She was Since September 2014, Ms. Kuzma has Barnard College and an M.A. in aesthetics chosen after an international search that been head of the Royal Institute of Art, and art theory from the Center for drew interest from candidates representing Sweden’s leading school of undergraduate Research in Modern European Philosophy a wide variety of perspectives and commu- and post-graduate study in visual art and Yale News at Middlesex University, London. nities in art and design, said Dr. Salovey. architecture. Marta Kuzma Ms. Kuzma will succeed Robert Storr, “Marta is an independent and creative “Marta Kuzma is a visionary leader,” said dean of the School of Art since 2006. thinker with a track record of making deep Berit Svedberg, chair of the board for the tion into an international context, to engage Sheila Levrant de Bretteville, director of connections to students and faculty. I am Royal Institute of Art. “She has created an more vigorously in research and education, graduate studies in graphic design at the confident that she will develop a distinctive educational environment at the Royal and to open the institution to a more Yale School of Art, chaired the search com- vision for the Yale School of Art,” said Dr. Institute of Art that offers students broad diverse public participation. mittee. Salovey. “She has an appreciation for devel- and deep possibilities to develop as artists. “I regret that Marta Kuzma will not contin- “We are very excited to have Marta oping ‘courageous’ students, and recogniz- As rector, she has consistently focused on ue to lead the Royal Institute of Art into the Kuzma be our dean following the excep- es the importance of new sensibilities and the students’ best interests. To promote the future,” Ms. Svedberg said. “I am at the same tional leadership of Rob Storr,” Prof. new contexts for the presentation of artists quality of their education has been Marta’s time convinced that she will lead the Yale Levrant de Bretteville said. “The committee and art.” top priority and guiding aim for the process School of Art with great engagement and cre- unanimously agreed that Marta was a great Ms. Kuzma is keenly aware of the cur- of change at the school.” ativity, and I wish her the very best there.” listener and leader, who will work collabor- rent paradigm shifts in art and design prac- During her tenure at the institute, she Previously, Ms. Kuzma served for eight atively with faculty and the university lead- tices, said Dr. Salovey, noting that she was asked by Sweden’s Ministry of Higher years as director of the Office for ership to bring the School of Art and its stu- believes an art institution should be “cre- Education to further the school’s integra- Contemporary Art Norway, where she dents to even higher levels of achievement.”

have been talking about this for a long time, Ukraine “to work towards social harmony, Your Beatitude, will the fact that the “Two parallel worlds”... and both Myroslav Ivan Cardinal to refrain from taking part in the confronta- holy father signed such an unclear and Lubachivsky and His Beatitude Lubomyr tion, and to not support any further devel- ambiguous document not undermine (Continued from page 1) [Husar] frequently appealed to our opment of the conflict.” Churches and reli- the respect that the faithful of the UGCC thoughts and so, essentially, as had already Orthodox brothers with these words, but gious organizations in Ukraine never sup- have for him, given that unity with the happened previously, they spoke about us there was no answer. I hope that we will be ported the war and constantly labored successor of Peter is an integral part of without us, without giving us a voice. able to foster bilateral relations with the towards social peace and harmony. One her identity? Possibly the Apostolic Nuncio can help Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), moving need only to show some interest in the top- Undoubtedly, this text has caused deep me understand the “obscure places” in this in this direction without interference from ics raised through the appeals of the All- disappointment among many faithful of our text and can explain the position of the Moscow. Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Church and among conscientious citizens Vatican in places where it is, in our view, Organizations over the last two years. How would you comment on this of Ukraine. Today, many contacted me not clearly formulated. Instead, the appeal not to participate in statement in the declaration: “We invite about this and said that they feel betrayed the protests and not to support its develop- However, paragraph 25 of the decla- all the parts involved in the conflict to ment for some reason strongly reminds me by the Vatican, disappointed by the half- ration speaks respectfully of Greek- prudence, to social solidarity and to of the accusations by Metropolitan truth nature of this document, and even see Catholics and the UGCC is essentially action aimed at constructing peace. We Hilarion, who attacked the position of it as indirect support by the Apostolic See recognized as a subject of inter-Church invite our Churches in Ukraine to work “Ukrainian schismatics and Uniates,” practi- for Russian aggression against Ukraine. I relations between the Catholic Church towards social harmony, to refrain from cally accusing us of being the cause of the can certainly understand those feelings. and the Orthodox Churches. taking part in the confrontation, and to war in eastern Ukraine, at the same time, Nonetheless, I encourage our faithful not not support any further development of Yes, you are right. They no longer seem viewing our civic position, which we based to dramatize this declaration and not to the conflict?” to object to our right to exist. In reality, in upon the social teaching of the Catholic exaggerate its importance for Church life. order to exist and to act, we are not obliged In general, I would like to say that para- Church, as support for only one of the We have experienced more than one such to ask permission from anybody. The new graph 26 of the declaration is the most con- “sides of the participants in the conflict.” statement, and will survive this one as well. emphasis here, of course, is that the troversial. One gets the impression that the In this regard, I wish to state the follow- We need to remember that our unity and Balamand Agreement of 1993, which Moscow Patriarchate is either stubbornly ing. The UGCC has never supported nor full communion with the holy father, the Metropolitan Alfeyev has used until now to refusing to admit that it is a party to the con- promoted the war. However, we have successor of the Apostle Peter, is not the deny our right to exist, is now being used flict, namely, that it openly supports the always supported and will support the peo- result of political agreement or diplomatic for its affirmation. Referring to the rejection aggression of Russia against Ukraine, and, by ple of Ukraine! We have never been on the compromise, or the clarity of a Joint of “uniatism” as a method of uniting the way, also blesses the military actions of side of the aggressor; instead, we remained Declaration text. This unity and commu- Churches, Moscow always demanded from Russia in Syria as a “holy war,” or it is appeal- with our people when they were on the nion with the Peter of today is a matter of the Vatican a virtual ban on our existence ing first of all to its own conscience, calling Maidan, when they were being killed by the our faith. It is to him, Pope Francis, and to and the limitation of our activities. itself to the same prudence, social solidarity bearers of “Russkiy mir.” Our priests have each of us today, that Christ says in the Moreover, this requirement was placed as a and the active building of peace. I do not never taken up arms, as opposed to what Gospel of Luke: “Simon, Simon, behold, condition, in the form of an ultimatum, for know! The very word “conflict” is obscure has happened on the other side. Our chap- Satan demanded to have you, that he might the possibility of a meeting of the pope and here and seems to suggests to the reader lains, as builders of peace, suffer the freez- sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for the patriarch. In the past, we were accused that we have a “civil conflict” rather than ing cold together with our soldiers on the you that your faith may not fail. And when of “expansion on the canonical territory of external aggression by a neighboring state. front and with their very own hands carry you have turned again, strengthen your the Moscow Patriarchate,” and now our Today, it is widely recognized that if sol- the wounded from the battlefield, wipe brothers.” right to care for our faithful, wherever they diers were not sent from Russia onto away the tears of mothers who mourn their It is for this unity with the Apostolic See are in need, is recognized. I assume that Ukrainian soil and did not supply heavy dead children. We care for the wounded that our Church’s 20th century martyrs and this also applies to the Russian Federation, weapons, if the Russian Orthodox Church, and for those who have suffered as a result confessors of faith gave up their lives, seal- where today we do not have the possibility instead of blessing the idea of “Russkiy mir” of the fighting, regardless of their national ing it with their blood. As we commemo- of free and legal existence, or on the territo- (“the Russian world”) supported Ukraine origin, their religious or political beliefs. rate the 70th anniversary of the Lviv pseu- ry of annexed Crimea, where we are “re- gaining control over its own borders, there Today, more than ever, the circumstanc- do-synod, let us draw from them the registered” in accordance with Russian leg- would be neither any annexation of Crimea es are such that our nation has no other strength of this witness, of their sacrifice islation and are effectively liquidated. nor would there be any war. It is precisely protection and refuge, except from its which, in our day, at times appears to be a This change of emphasis is definitely this kind of social solidarity with the Church. It is precisely a pastoral conscience stumbling block – a stone which the build- positive, although essentially nothing new Ukrainian people and the active construc- that calls us to be the voice of the people, to ers of international relations frequently has been said. The recognition that tion of peace that we expect from the signa- awaken the conscience of the global reject. Yet, it is precisely this stone of Christ “Orthodox and Greek-Catholics are in need tories of this document. Christian community – even when this of Peter’s faith that the Lord will make the of reconciliation and of mutually acceptable I would like to express a few thoughts on voice is not understood or is disregarded cornerstone of the future of all Christians. forms of co-existence” is encouraging. We the phrase that encourages Churches in by the religious leaders of Churches today. And it will be “marvelous in our eyes.” 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Carolers visit retired sisters and clergy Carpe Diem Club established at UACCNJ

Larisa Paschuk Organizers and presenters of the Carpe Diem Club (from left): Dr. Marta Lopatynsky, Louisa Kaminskyj, Dr. Irka Sawchyn and Dr. Ruta Lenchur.

HILLSIDE, N.J. – Carolers from Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hillside, N.J., (seen by Irka Sawchyn above) visited the retired Sisters of Mercy and clergy at McAuley Hall on the campus of Mount St. Mary WHIPPANY, N.J. – A new social organization, the Academy in Watchung, N.J., on Saturday, December 26, 2015. The carolers sang Christmas carols in “Carpe Diem Club”, has been formed at the Ukrainian Ukrainian and English. This year, the carolers had the privilege of presenting the retired sisters and clergy American Cultural Center of New Jersey in with the Bethlehem Peace Light, which is shared by scouts, including Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, Whippany. The Carpe Diem Club provides an oppor- around the world during the Christmas season. The parish carolers also visited parishioners in their homes and tunity for members of the surrounding Ukrainian nursing homes throughout Union, Morris, Somerset and Middlesex counties. communities to socialize and participate in a week- day afternoon program. Meetings take place once a month at the UACCNJ. All age groups are welcome, and seniors are especially encouraged to participate. The club is sponsored by the Arts, Culture and Hillside children welcome St. Nicholas Education (ACE) Committee of the UACCNJ and has been meeting since October 2015. There is no mem- bership fee – anyone who attends gets a name tag and becomes a “member.” A typical afternoon gathering starts with a hot luncheon, provided at low cost, that allows old friends to become reacquainted and new friendships to form. It was telling that at the first luncheon the attendees themselves moved all the tables together to create a communal environment and easy conver- sations. Lunch is followed by a program of informative, entertaining and participatory activities for the attendees. Previous programs covered health topics, including a talk about eye care by Dr. Marta Lopatynsky, a discussion about insomnia with Dr. Ruta Lenchur and a presentation about apitherapy, the use of bees, honey and hive products for thera- peutic purposes by Dr. Petrusia Kotlar Paslawsky. On a different note, Dr. Irka Sawchyn introduced a new religious song of gratitude that had everyone singing together. A very popular and recurring seg- ment is chair yoga, led by Louisa Kaminskyj, whose soothing voice guides the group through gentle, relaxing stretches. During the programs the attend- ees sit in a semi-circle to add to the feeling of fellow- ship. Upcoming events are chosen to allow participants to learn, do, and leave uplifted in spirit. Zoriana Stawnychy will speak on financial matters at the next meeting, scheduled for February 28. Future HILLSIDE, N.J. – St. Nicholas visited the children and parishioners of Immaculate Conception Ukrainian talks are planned about computer-related topics, Catholic Church here on Sunday, December 6, 2015. He said he was inspired by the children’s love of their current events in Ukraine, videos and the arts. faith and their passionate request to have their religious education classes despite a very busy Sunday and Attendees have been very pleased with the meet- traditional day off. Children age 3-18 years old participate in the parish’s religious education program. The ings, which indicates that the club is fulfilling a real children honored St. Nicholas by presenting a bilingual holiday entertainment program that consisted of a play need in the social fabric of the community. Meeting and performances of Christmas music by young musicians and singers. Above, St. Nicholas is seen with the dates are announced through notices on the UACCNJ children and the parish administrator, the Rev. Vasyl Vladyka. – Joe Shatynski Facebook pages and website, the church bulletin of St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany, e-mail and postal notices to previous attendees. To reach The Ukrainian Weekly Editorial – 3049, 3088 Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 973-590-8026 or sending an May we call (973) 292-9800, Production – 3063 e-mail to aceuaccnj @gmail.com. With general ques- and dial the appropriate Administration, Advertising tions, readers may contact Ms. Kaminskyj at help you? extension (as listed on right). and Subscriptions – 3040 [email protected]. No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 17

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Yevshan ensemble performs in Rhode Island by Ihor Slabicky WOONSOCKET, R.I. – With a quick motion of his hands, choir director Alex Kuzma launched the Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble into the powerful opening of “Boh Predvichnyi.” The profound perfor- mance of this arrangement by Alexander Koshetz opened the December 20, 2015, concert at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Woonsocket, R.I., which was organized with the assis- tance of Cornel Osadsa and sponsored by Open MRI of New England. Following an introduction by Msgr. Roman Golemba, the pastor of St. Michael’s and of St. John the Baptist in Fall River, Mass., Mr. Kuzma led the group through versions of classic Ukrainian Christmas carols (koliady) and shchedrivky, featuring arrangements by Kyrylo Stetsenko, Anatoliy Avdievsky, Vasyl Stupnytsky and Mykola Leontovych. Also on the program were compositions by Leontovych and Dmytro Bortniansky. Accompanied by a bandura quintet, the chorus performed a divine “Nebo i Zemlia,” Ihor Slabicky as arranged by Mr. Stetsenko. Also note- Alex Kuzma directs the Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Woonsocket, R.I. worthy was the ensemble’s rendition of the koliada “Chy Doma, Doma, Khazayin Concluding the concert was “Dobryi The Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal is in its second century of serving the Doma,” in another arrangement by Mr. Vechir, Tobi, Pane Hospodariu,” with the Ensemble, located in Hartford, Conn., faithful in Rhode Island and central Stetsenko, which allowed Mr. Kuzma to attendees joining the ensemble to sing this draws its members not only from that Massachusetts. It also serves the world by highlight the qualities of the ensemble piece. area but also from Boston and Worcester, streaming the divine liturgy live over the with sectional solos. Concert-goers, some of whom traveled Mass. The ensemble has performed Internet. On most Sundays, the Ukrainian The lush harmonies of “Shchedryi from Connecticut, the Boston area and throughout New England, in New York, language liturgy starts at 11 a.m. Eastern Vechir,” a contemporary composition by Aquidneck Island to enjoy this musical Pennsylvania and the District of time (to participate, visit the parish web- Bohdan Sehin of Lviv, portrayed the sacred- bounty, expressed their gratitude to Mr. Columbia. page at http://www.stmichaelsri.org/ ness of the holy day. The ensemble returned Kuzma and Yevshan with prolonged The parish of St. Michael the Archangel and click on the “Live Broadcast” link). to traditional works with the world applause. The closing remarks by Msgr. renowned “Shchedryk” by Leontovych. Golemba reiterated this appreciation. Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America Philadelphia Chapter Coff ee and poetry in Washington presents our

Deanna Fedyk Nina Fedyk Kaitlyn Flynn 2016 Debutantes at the Engineers’ Banquet & Ball

Kateryna Savchyn Slava Hart (Yarka Bohach) reads from her poetry. Saturday, February 13th, 2016 Grand Ballroom WASHINGTON – On Sunday, January 17, read some further poems. To the surprise the District of Columbia chapter of the and delight of the audience, he performed a Hilton Philadelphia Hotel at Penn’s Landing Shevchenko Scientific Society presented a musical rendition of a poem written in 201 South Columbus Boulevard reading of contemporary Ukrainian poetry. “Kolomyika” form. The author herself then Philadelphia, PA 19106 An enthusiastic audience filled the coffee read some of her latest works, which were room at the Ukrainian Catholic National warmly received. Shrine of the Holy Family to hear selected Originally from Lviv, Ms. Hart currently Music by Svitanok Orchestra works by fellow parishioner Slava Hart, lives in Arlington, Virginia. Her first poetry also known by her pen-name of Yarka collection, “Chuyesh Ptakhu...Tse Ya,” was Special performance by renowned pianist Bohach. published in Lviv in 2012 by the well- Roman Rudnytsky Darian Diachok read several selections known Kameniar publishing house. It is and commented briefly on Yarka Bohach’s available as an e-book published by verse. Next, co-pastor Rev. Wasyl Kharuk Glagoslav Publishers. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8

sold to a farming couple, in 1988. It’s now will be submitted simultaneously with the Almost forgotten theirs. Whether they have ownership of the Coalition... approval of the new candidate,” Mr. cemetery, or of its skeletal occupants, is Oleshchuk said. “In which case, against a (Continued from page 7) (Continued from page 1) another, more contentious, issue. backdrop of joy that an offensive figure will At its maximum the Spirit Lake popula- In the past few years a permanent dis- Early parliamentary elections will have to have been gotten rid of, they’ll easily push tion swelled to 1,312 internees, including play about the Spirit Lake internment camp be held if a new coalition doesn’t emerge in through someone else no less offensive.” some 60 families. Opened on January 13, has been opened at La Ferme, largely the next 30 days, according to election law. Indeed, it was widely believed in Kyiv 1915, it was shut on January 28, 1917 – thanks to the financial support of the Yet , the head of the that the entire February 16 spectacle in the Kapuskasing would not close its gates until Canadian First World War Internment Poroshenko Bloc parliamentary faction, Verkhovna Rada was orchestrated by the February 24, 1920, some 14 months after Recognition Fund. Even earlier, a commem- kept the door open for a new coalition to president, including the demand that Mr. the end of the Great War. orative plaque (1999) and then a statute, emerge, possibly involving the faction led Yatsenyuk resign and the failed vote that When the American vice-consul, O. titled “Interned Madonna,” were unveiled by Mr. Liashko, who “comes and goes very followed. Gaylord Marsh, visited Spirit Lake in the (2001). Unfortunately, every attempt to quickly.” Only 194 national deputies backed the autumn of 1915, the cemetery had a large secure limited rights of access to the intern- Mr. Lutsenko proposed a new coalition no-confidence vote, while a 226-vote cast-iron cross and several graves with ee cemetery for the purposes of restoring agreement in which a precise month-by- majority was needed. Its biggest support cedar markers. By the time I first visited, in and re-consecrating it, have failed. Local month plan is laid out for each minister to came from the Self-Reliance, Batkivshchyna June 1999, one concrete and a few toppling feuds had made certain of that. fulfill, along with a corresponding plan for and Radical parties. wooden crosses were all that remained. By On Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s web- approving legislation in Parliament. The measure was rejected by Mr. September 2008 most of those had fallen, site, Mélanie Joly, the minister of Canadian Ironically, the president and his allies led Yatsenyuk’s People’s Front party, the so much so that even determining the loca- heritage, is described as “a lawyer by train- a fierce attack campaign in August 2015 Opposition Bloc sponsored by Rinat tions of all 16 graves would have required ing [who] is passionate about her city of against Mr. Liashko, who at the time accused Akhmetov, and the two oligarch-backed concerted effort. This unique site is now in Montréal and the power of positive poli- the president of corruption and persecu- groups of deputies – Rebirth and Will of the much, much worse condition, almost com- tics.” That’s encouraging. For only the inter- tion. Yet Ukrainian politics are notorious for People. pletely lost to the forest. vention of another Montréaler will recover their constantly shifting alliances, particu- Most significantly, 39 out of 136 How did a Catholic cemetery established the memory of the innocents transported larly between former enemies. Poroshenko Bloc deputies didn’t even sup- under federal authority fall into such disre- from her city into the wilderness, whose On February 17, it was Mr. Liashko who port the no-confidence vote, despite the tombs will forever be lost if she does not pair? We know that in October 1918, soon was in the driver’s seat. He confirmed president’s call for Mr. Yatsenyuk’s resigna- act, and soon. after the military left, the Dominion reports that he communicated with all the tion. Department of Agriculture assumed control key power brokers – including a telephone “With all due respect to many of my col- Lubomyr Luciuk is a professor of political over the property. Eventually, in May 1936, conversation with Mr. Poroshenko and an leagues who gave their votes for the gov- geography at the Royal Military College of Ottawa let the province of Quebec have the evening meeting with Mr. Yatsenyuk, ernment’s resignation, you were used,” Canada. The “Appeal” to Minister Joly is land for a nominal sum. No one cared about Internal Affairs Minister and wrote Poroshenko Bloc National Deputy the internee cemetery. The land was next found at www.uccla.ca. National Security and Defense Council Mustafa Nayyem on his Facebook page. Secretary – to discuss “Thirty votes of our colleagues disappeared ways to save the coalition from collapse. at the most critical moment. To think that “We’re talking about forming a new this happened by chance, without approval coalition,” he told the pravda.com.ua news from the Presidential Administration and site. “We are talking about reformatting the the faction’s leadership, is naïve and foolish. coalition, a new coalition program, and a Today’s session has left no doubt that new government program of action. It’s there’s no desire to change anything in this impossible to return what isn’t there. There mud, neither on Bankova nor on is no coalition.” Hrushevsky streets. Their comfort zone has The current political crisis was ignited dulled their sense of reality.” with the February 3 resignation of Aivaras The vote was evidence of how deter- Abromavicius, the economic development mined Ukraine’s oligarchs and political and trade minister, followed by the power brokers are to maintain the status February 15 resignation of Deputy quo, political experts said. Procurator General Vitaliy Kasko, both of It’s apparent that Mr. Yatsenyuk has an whom have been backed by Western gov- alliance with the billionaires Mr. Akhmetov ernments as dedicated reformers. and Igor Kolomoisky, while Mr. Poroshenko Since then, President Poroshenko has has an alliance with billionaire Dmytro been under pressure to convince the West Firtash that dates back to his election cam- Women and children at the Spirit Lake internment camp. of his commitment to reform. His trusted paign in 2014, Mr. Oleshchuk said. confidante Viktor Shokin, the procurator “The oligarchic consensus has ceased to general firmly opposed by Washington for be an analytical artifact. It’s publicly on the important, and a core European value, to alleged corruption, reportedly submitted a record,” Serhiy Datsyuk, a philosopher and U.S. ambassador... allow diversity of opinions, even if those resignation letter on February 16 upon the political observer, stated on his Facebook opinions are critical of the government, and president’s public request. page. “Pro-oligarch deputies not voting for (Continued from page 6) even if one political faction or another may Mr. Shokin’s resignation, which has yet the Cabinet’s dismissal will lead to the the reality. And continue the strong record not agree with those opinions. to be approved by the Verkhovna Rada, sat- political death of the consensus’s represen- that Ukraine’s government has demon- And then, finally, for journalists to stick isfied a U.S. demand connected to a $1 bil- tatives. A deep political crisis began from strated since December 2014 of pushing to professional standards. To report the lion loan guarantee that was reported by that moment that can’t be resolved on the forward with the hard work of reform. facts. To overcome and reject efforts to buy the dt.ua news site in late January, citing legal field anymore.” I hear some very dangerous voices today their coverage. And not to fall into the trap, anonymous sources. At the same time, the experts agreed the saying that: “We’ve had enough of these which I think sometimes happens in inter- In the same statement, Mr. Poroshenko current infighting and corruption can’t go technocratic ministers. We’ve had enough national media, of arguing or believing that also demanded Mr. Yatsenyuk’s resignation, on in a time of economic misery and war. of professional governance. Now it’s the the test of objectivity is to report both sides which the prime minister duly ignored. Despite the current attempts to keep the politicians’ turn to take the reins. There of an argument, even when one side is After the no-confidence vote, Poroshenko current coalition on life support, and should be a reload of the government to patently and transparently manufactured. Bloc Parliamentary Chair Lutsenko despite the fierce desire of Western govern- put real politicians, and not these techno- These are the ingredients for Ukraine’s announced a three-week deadline for Mr. ments to maintain stability in Ukraine, cratic English-speaking ministers we’ve success. And what I want to underline Yatsenyuk to form a new Cabinet. early parliamentary elections are inevita- had over the past year.” I think that would today is my government’s commitment to That has given the president the pretext ble, in the view of Mr. Oleshchuk. be an enormous mistake, in part because it continue, as we have for the past two years, to delay Mr. Shokin’s official resignation “The danger in not holding early elec- would fuel the Kremlin attempt to mischar- to stand foursquare with the Ukrainian until he finds a replacement that fits his tions is far greater than the risks of holding acterize Ukraine and say that Ukraine is a people, to work closely with the govern- needs, said Petro Oleshchuk, an assistant them,” he said. “But we can’t resolve the failing state, when in fact Ukraine is an ment and the presidency and the people of professor of political science at Taras current problems without changing the emerging European democracy. Ukraine to advance the European choice Shevchenko University in Kyiv. election law. It’s absurd to spend hundreds A couple of last thoughts. The media that you have made. And most importantly, Unfortunately, the replacement is not likely of millions on new elections only to bring space is obviously key to all of this. In this to always side with those who are commit- to be much of an improvement, he said. the same people to the Rada. The rules of regard, it is important that Ukraine contin- ted to reform, and to always side with those “In all likelihood, Shokin’s resignation the game have to change.” ues to develop professional, credible and who believe that falling into the habits of independent journalism free from oligar- the past is the single biggest trap that chic control. I know it’s a tiny piece of the Ukraine faces looking to the future. was quoted in a Washington Post article media space, but I cannot say enough good I’m very confident that the reformers are Turning... about the plot. Mr. Mironov said, “The event dates back to February 4 and news about it things about Hromadske TV and what it going to prevail; and I’m absolutely confi- (Continued from page 6) represents as a model of objective, inde- dent that in this hybrid warfare with has emerged today, on the last week before pendent journalism – not answerable to Russia, Ukraine is going to prevail – Channel 1 quoted Mr. Osmayev as saying voting. I have a feeling that all this is not a any oligarchic or political agenda. I don’t because you’ve overcome already the worst the attackers were prepared to use anti-tank mere coincidence.” think Ukraine needs more propaganda that the Kremlin can throw at you. So the mines. The assassination plot was confirmed machines. What Ukraine needs is more job now is not to give up, and to continue by Mr. Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov. Source: “Alleged plot to kill Putin foiled,” objective information. moving forward. And the United States will Duma Deputy Sergei Mironov, a presi- RFE/RL Russian Service, The Ukrainian Protect freedom of speech. It’s critically stand with you in that effort. dential candidate and head of A Just Russia, Weekly, March 4, 2012. No. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 19

Through March 6 Multi-media exhibit, “Ukraine Exists,” Ukrainian February 28 Literary evening, featuring Vasyl Makhno, Ukrainian Chicago National Museum, 312-421-8020 or New York Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org or [email protected] 212-288-8660

February 22 Seminar with Vasyl Kosiv, “Visual Representation of a February 28 Commemorative evening in honor of the Heavenly Cambridge, MA Dream: Ukrainian Identity in Graphic Design of the Bloomingdale, IL Brigade with film screening, “Freedom or Death” by USSR and the Diaspora, 1945-1989,” Harvard Damian Kolodiy, St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox University, www.huri.harvard.edu or 617-495-4053 Cathedral, en.standrewuoc.com or 630-893-2827

February 23 Presentation, “Documenting My Ukrainian Ancestors” February 29 Seminar with Mykola Riabchuk, “’Cotton Head’ vs ‘Dills’: Ottawa by Donna Law, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cambridge, MA Ethnic Othering and Stereotyping During the Russo- Shrine, 613-723-1673 Ukrainian Conflict,” Harvard University, www.huri.harvard.edu or 617-495-4053 February 25 U.S.-Ukraine Security Dialogue VII, “Taking New Washington Measures of Russia’s ‘Near Abroad’: Assessing Security March 5 Concert, “Mykola Dyletsky: A Musical Grammar in Challenges Facing the ‘Frontline States.’” Russell Senate New York Seventeenth-Century Cracow and Kyiv,” Ensemble Office Building, 646-704-1463 or [email protected] Origo, Ukrainian Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org or 212-288-8660 February 25 Carpe Diem Club luncheon, Ukrainian American Cultural Whippany, NJ Center of New Jersey, 973-590-8026 or March 5 Live and silent auction annual fund-raiser, Ukrainian [email protected] Chicago Institute of Modern Art, [email protected]

February 27 Skiing championship, Carpathian Ski Club, Hunter March 10 Presentation by author Yuri Andrukhovych, Hunter, NY Mountain, www.klkusa.com or [email protected] New York “Carpathologia Comosophilica,” Columbia University, 212-854-4697 February 27 Family Perogy Night, Knights of Columbus – St. Vladimir March 11 Varenyky dinner, Ukrainian American Youth Ottawa the Great Council, Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League Whippany, NJ Association, Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New of Ottawa, 613-731-4453 Jersey, 973-919-1322 or Pierogi.dinner.at.uaccnj.com February 27 Book launch and commemorative evening dedicated to March 11-April 3 Art exhibit featuring works by Roman Vovk, Ukrainian New York Gen. , “Cheloviek, Kotoriy nie Mog Chicago National Museum, 312-721-8020 or Molchat” by Andriy Grigorenko and , www.ukrainiannationalmusuem.org Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130 March 12 Pysanka Workshop, Ukrainian Homestead, February 27- Art exhibit, “The Tales and Myths of Yohann Petrovsky- Lehighton, PA 215-235-3709 March 9 Shtern,” Ukrainian Institute of America, New York www.ukrainianinstitute.org or 212-288-8660 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events February 28 Pysanka celebration, featuring Ukrainian artists from advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions San Diego southern California, Balboa Park, from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors www.houseofukraine.org or 619-742-2720 and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

Daily Telegraph, wrote on Twitter that “evi- Wristwatch... dence Debaltseve was a Russian army operation is mundane (and overwhelming). JACQUES HNIZDOVSKY (Continued from page 2) Wouldn’t even be news if Russia didn’t keep from the battle of Debaltseve. on denying it.” PRINTS DRAWINGS PAINTINGS The CIT report joins a large body of evi- ​ dence indicating the Russian military has Copyright 2016, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted William Greenbaum Fine Prints has been in business now been deeply involved in the war in eastern with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ for more than 50 years. We currently have 50 signed prints Ukraine. A fragile ceasefire has been in Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, by Mr. Hnizdovsky for sale and we are seeking to purchase place since last year, but there are daily vio- Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see more of his prints as well as his drawings and paintings. lations. http://www.rferl.org/content/cybersleuth- Roland Oliphant, the Moscow corre- ing-group-evidence-proves-russian-role-in- spondent for the British newspaper The ukraine-war/27539447.html).

PROBATE CITATION File No. 2015-581/A SURROGATE’S COURT - ROCKLAND COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: e unknown heirs at law, next of kin and distributees of NADIA KOSTYK deceased, the daughter of KATARINA KUZMA CZIKALO and ILYIA CZIKALO, deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead and died subsequent to February 16, 2015, then to their executors, administrators, next of kin, distributees, heirs at law, legatees, devisees, assignees and successors in interest, all of whose names and post o ce addresses are unknown and cannot be ascertained a er due diligence used. A petition having been duly led by Orest Zaklynsky, domiciled at 4 Hunter Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island 02940. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Rockland County, at 1 South Main Street, 2nd Floor, New City, New York, on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, why a ALL PRINTS NOW ILLUSTRATED ONLINE AT: decree should not be made in the estate of Nadia Kostyk, lately domiciled at www.greenbaumprints.com 150 Sisters Servants Lane, Sloatsburg, New York, admitting to probate a Will dated December 31, 1992, as the Will of Nadia Kostyk, deceased, relating to real Please email us at [email protected] and personal property, and directing that Letters Testamentary issue to: Orest or phone us at 508-284-7036. Zaklynsky, Dated, Attested and Sealed, February 1, 2016. Hon.  omas E. Walsh II, William Greenbaum Fine Prints Surrogate, Eileen Horan, Deputy Chief Clerk, Gianna O. Corona, Esq., Attorney 98 South Street for Petitioner, Cane & Boniface, P.C. One Main Street, Suite 1, Nyack, New York Rockport, MA 01966 10960, (845) 727-4000. [NOTE:  is citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required Open By Appointment to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.] Member: International Fine Print Dealers Association 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 No. 8

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Saturday, February 27 hall, 54 Winter St. (behind Newbrite Plaza) from 9 a.m. to 2 artists will be held immediately after the performance. The NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Society invites all to an p.m. (heavy snow date: March 19). Pysanky and egg-decorating concert is at 3 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., evening dedicated to Gen. Petro Grigorenko (1907-1987), dur- supplies and our famous Easter breads (pasky) will be fea- Alexandria. Suggested donation $30; free for students; unre- ing a book launch of “Cheloviek, Kotoryi nie Mog Molchat” (A tured. Other highlights will be a cookbook, varenyky, holubtsi, served seating. For more information, e-mail: twgcultural- Person Who Couldn’t Be Silent), a collection of reminiscences borshch, homemade cakes and desserts, a raffle and a tag sale. [email protected]. Lunch and take-out are available. Admission and parking about Grigorenko, the prominent Soviet dissident. The book Saturday, March 19 (Kharkiv, 2015) will be presented by the editor, Grigorenko’s behind the church are free. For information call 860-229-3833 SOMERSET, N.J.: A program on researching World War II and son Andriy, and Pavel Litvinov, a Russian physicist, writer, or 860-677-2138. displaced persons-era records will be presented by the Nashi human rights activist and former Soviet-era dissident. The Sunday, March 13 Predky Family History Group of the Ukrainian Historical and book includes reminiscences by , Leonid ALEXANDRIA, Va.: The Washington Group Cultural Fund Educational Center of New Jersey. The conference will feature Plyushch, , , , Music Series continues with an afternoon of music devoted to presenters from the U.S. Holocaust Museum. Talks Vyacheslav Chornovil, Nadia Svitlychna and others. Emceed by the work of composer Boris Skalsky. The concert will feature will focus on the USHMM’s Oral History Collection, research Dr. Anna Procyk, the book launch will take place at the society’s both new and past works, including the premier of a cello quar- materials and services, the International Tracing Service, over- building, 63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th streets) at 5 tet jointly commissioned by the Shevchenko Scientific Society view of World War II-era history and basic genealogy strate- p.m. For additional information call 212-254-5130. U.S.A. and the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in the gies. Limited one-on-one 30-minute research appointments Friday, March 11 United States. Performers will include New York- and with USHMM researchers will be available. Participants will be WHIPPANY, N.J.: The Ukrainian American Youth Association’s Washington-based musicians – among them, percussionist able to get help in deciphering family documents. The event Whippany branch will host the annual varenyky (pierogi) dinner John Hadfield and experimental avant-garde guitarist Anthony will take place at 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ukrainian Cultural at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, 60 N. Pirog – as well as the composer’s mother, Zdanna Krawciw- Center, 135 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873. Cost: $40, Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ 07981. For only $12 you can enjoy Skalsky, who will join Mr. Skalsky on stage in a performance of breakfast and lunch included. To register go to www.nashipred- sumptuous varenyky, delicious borshch, bread, dessert and cof- his Piano Suite for Piano Four-Hands. A reception to meet the ky.org or call 732-356-0132. fee. Entertainment and door prizes are included. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the last seating is at 8 p.m. Reserve your table of 10 or more by calling 973-919-1322 or by e-mailing Pierogi.Dinner.at. PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES [email protected]. Orders to take out will be available. Preview of Events is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Items should be no more than 100 words long. Saturday, March 12 Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publication. Items will be published only NEW BRITAIN, Conn.: The 22nd annual Ukrainian Easter once, unless otherwise indicated. Please include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in Festival will be held at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church which the item is to be published. Information should be sent to: [email protected]. Subscribe to The Ukrainian Weekly $90 per year $80 for UNA members

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