ХРИСТОС НАРОДИВСЯ! CHRIST IS BORN! The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXVIII-LXXXIX No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 $2.00 Protests begin over Zelenskyy ‘biggest disappointment’ of 2020 appointment of education as more controversial Cabinet appointments made minister in Ukraine by Mark Raczkiewycz KYIV – As the year ends, a moderate reshuffle in the by Roman Tymotsko Cabinet of Ministers and at the executive branch took place KYIV – Several hundred people, including students from over the past 10 days in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Kyiv’s leading universities, members of youth and student administration amid the political newcomer’s dwindling organizations, academics, and parents, gathered in front of popularity 19 months into his term. the presidential office here on December 21 to protest Oleh Tatarov, the president’s deputy chief of staff Parliament’s decision to appoint Serhii Shkarlet to the responsible for law enforcement, said on December 21 that position of minister of education and science of Ukraine. he would recuse himself of certain duties in order to coop- On December 17, 226 national deputies – the minimum erate with investigators and avoid a conflict of interest in a required – voted to appoint Mr. Shkarlet to the position. large-scale corruption case in which he is a suspect. Members of the Holos Party, however, claimed that eight After receiving a notice of suspicion for involvement in deputies whose votes had been counted in favor of Mr. the alleged $2.8 million graft scheme from the National Shkarlet’s appointment were not present when the vote Anticorruption Bureau (NABU), Mr. Tatarov said at a brief- took place, which Holos Party deputies said meant that ing the same day that he had “temporarily transferred part those eight votes were not cast legally. of my powers to another employee of the president’s office This was not the first instance in which students and in order to avoid manipulation.” educators expressed their disapproval of the new minister. NABU head Artem Sytnyk told journalists the following Public outcry first started six months ago when Mr. day that the agency is seeking to hold Mr. Tatarov in custo- dy or on bail for which the Specialized Anticorruption Shkarlet was originally considered for the position. In June, courtesy of Educaton_Science Ministry he was appointed acting minister of education despite Prosecutor’s Office is asking the equivalent of $357,000. Education Minister Serhiy Shkarlet numerous letters from academics, educators, and repre- In response, Mr. Tatarov said on the messaging applica- sentatives of student organizations who wrote arguing tion Telegram that the possibility of his detainment is moot. not be any arrest in a completely fabricated criminal pro- against Mr. Shkarlet’s appointment to the position. “I want to inform the … official [Mr. Sytnyk], who has ceeding where there is no fact or evidence.” Educational reform is one of Ukraine’s fundamental flirted with corruption, that his public relations campaign will end in the same way as all his previous activities – In August, civic activists balked at Mr. Tatarov’s appoint- (Continued on page 8) with nothing,” Mr. Tatarov wrote. “There will not and can- ment to the presidential office. Under former President Viktor Yanukovych, he was the deputy head of the main investigation department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During his tenure, he justified the use of violence against protesters during the pro-democracy, anti-corrup- tion Euro-Maidan uprising that ousted Mr. Yanukovych. Christmas More than 100 people, mostly protesters, were killed dur- ing those protests, now known as the Revolution of Dignity. “This is an appallingly ill-considered decision and is celebration understandably viewed as a spit in the face by many of those persecuted on the Maidan and the families of those in Ukraine who were killed,” the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group said in a statement at the time. A trained lawyer, Mr. Tatarov had worked within the police since 1999 and has also run a law firm. The high-level corruption case comes as Ukraine is making preparations to receive the first batches of the COVID-19 vaccine next year. This week, Kyiv is also hosting an online visit by the International Monetary Fund to review Ukraine’s financial outlook and its commitments to fight corruption. Kyiv is looking to unlock the remaining $3 billion of funding as part of an 18-month, $5 billion lending program. Another change in the president’s office the same day was Yulia Kovaliv, who resigned as a deputy chief of staff responsible for economics and investment. After 15 months on the job, she described her tenure on Facebook as “an unbelievable experience … in a complicated time for the country.” Ukrainian online news site Pravda reported she would The country’s main Christmas tree was lit up on Saint Sophia’s Square in Kyiv on December 19. To Eastern rite continue to serve as an adviser to the president and return Christians, the day falls on Saint Nicholas Day, according to the Julian calendar. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko to the state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz in an presided over the tree-lighting ceremony. While speaking on stage, Mr. Klitschko called on Kyivans and guests unknown capacity. of the capital to thank the front-line “defenders” of Ukraine, and to also thank the health care workers and first She had also headed the Office of the National responders “who continue to work on holidays and weekends and save people’s lives” amid a coronavirus pan- Investment Council, which promoted dialogue between the demic that has led to the deaths of nearly 17,000 people and infected nearly 1 million more in Ukraine. government and CEOs of foreign investors. – by Mark Raczkiewycz (Continued on page 12) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

ANALYSIS

While reaching out to incoming U.S. administration, Investors file case over Motor Sich investment of Donetsk and Luhansk, generally known as the Donbas, where more than 13,200 Chinese investors have brought a $3.5 people have been killed in the ongoing con- Kremlin signals resumption of bilateral arms race billion arbitration case against Ukraine for flict since. Weeks before inciting separatism blocking the sale of a strategic aircraft force for good in the world while the U.S. is in the region, Russia forcibly annexed by Pavel Felgenhauer engine maker whose fate Washington is bad, ugly, dark and aggressive. According to Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula after sending Eurasia Daily Monitor closely following. The Chinese investors Mr. Putin, last August’s alleged poisoning of in troops and staging a referendum that behind Skyrizon filed the arbitration case opposition leader Alexei Navalny by was deemed illegitimate by more than 100 In the wake of the December 14 vote by earlier this month, accusing Kyiv of expro- the Electoral College, which officially con- Novichok in Tomsk is a Western provoca- countries. The law has been prolonged priating its investment in Motor Sich after three times since then and was set to expire firmed the election of Joseph Biden as the tion and falsification. “If we really wanted the government froze its shares in the com- next president of the United States and to poison Navalny, he would have been on December 31, 2020. (RFE/RL’s pany, the Kyiv Post reported December 17. Ukrainian Service) Kamala Harris as vice-president, Russian dead,” Mr. Putin reasoned or darkly joked Motor Sich owner Vyacheslav Bohuslayev President Vladimir Putin finally, and reluc- (Kremlin.ru, December 17). agreed in 2017 to sell a majority stake in Russian invasion of Ukraine tantly, congratulated the U.S. president- In contrast, he praised Turkish strong- the company to Skyrizon, triggering con- Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported elect. In November 2016, Mr. Putin was one cerns in Kyiv and Washington over the December 22 that in the previous 24 hours, of the first world leaders to congratulate real man [macho], who keeps his word and transfer of its advanced technology to no Ukrainian soldiers were killed, although Donald Trump on his victory; in 2020, he doesman Presidentnot wag his Recep tail.” WhileTayyip Mr. Erdoğan: Putin and “A Beijing. Former national-security adviser two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in was apparently the last head of state of a John Bolton told Ukrainian officials last action. During the same 24-hour period, major world power to extend the same ges- the Russian president appreciates his year during a trip to Ukraine in 2019 that Russian-terrorist forces opened fire on ture to Mr. Biden. Mr. Putin sent his con- TurkishMr. Erdoğan counterpart’s may have serioussteadfastness differences, and the U.S. opposes the sale of the company to Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk and gratulations via telegram, expressing hope predictability. Mr. Putin also believes he has China. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reit- Donetsk sectors of the front 11 times in that Moscow and Washington can work strong personal chemistry with Chinese erated that message this year. However, total, including at least seven times with together constructively to solve global leader Xi Jinping – in addition to Russia and Motor Sich needs large-scale investment to heavy weapons – mortars and artillery. On problems “despite their differences” China having “identical interests in many stay competitive, and Western companies December 21, Ukraine’s Joint Forces (Interfax, December 15). different fields” (Interfax, December 17). At haven’t shown great interest in buying the Operation reported that on December 17 a the same time, Mr. Putin saved a few nice Soviet-era company, which employs thou- Today (December 17), the Russian presi- Ukrainian soldier was taken into captivity dent held his annual “big” end-of-year words for the outgoing U.S. head of state. sands of workers, putting Washington and Though losing reelection, Mr. Trump by Russian forces. (Ukrainian Canadian press conference, an event that, once again, Kyiv in a tough position as they seek a solu- Congress Daily Briefing) lasted over four hours. This time, because “received the votes of almost 50 percent of tion. The Chinese investors earlier this year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held the population, has a strong base of sup- renewed their lobbying effort to get Ukraine mulling response to new COVID-19 strain mostly online. During his remarks, Mr. port and apparently will continue to be an Ukraine to unfreeze the shares and, having A decision on further action by Ukraine Putin reiterated his hope of a constructive influential political figure,” Mr. Putin con- failed, filed an arbitration case. Ukraine’s in connection with the detection of a new relationship with the incoming U.S. admin- tended (Kremlin.ru, December 17). bilateral investment treaty with China strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Great istration and noted that Mr. Biden had pre- Russia’s long-serving leader continues to allows investors to appoint their own arbi- express sentiments that suggest law and trators. Skyrizon could face difficulties Britain will be made after analyzing the sit- viously stated he would prolong the New uation and consulting with foreign part- START nuclear arms control treaty, which power stem primarily from the barrel of a proving that it is a private company and gun – perhaps not surprising for a Russian that the shares were bought in a legal and ners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of expires on February 5, 2021. Another Ukraine said. According to the ministry’s important point of interest to Mr. Putin and man born at the tail end of Stalinism, in transparent matter, the Kyiv Post reported, 1952, who made a career in the KGB, devel- citing a Ukrainian law firm. (RFE/RL) press service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs his subordinates is the nearly completed of Ukraine, together with other public oped his political connections during the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, the Ukraine extends Donbas special status law departments, is closely monitoring the situ- turbulent 1990s, and was promoted to lead construction of which was temporarily ation with the detection of the new strain of the country in 1999 by a group of Kremlin halted by U.S. sanctions targeting European Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a COVID-19 disease in the U.K. “A decision on insiders who tasked him with reconquering pipeline servicing and building companies. bill extending the law on the special status further actions of Ukraine will be adopted Nord Stream 2 is designed to double Chechnya in the second Chechen war. Mr. of local self-governance in areas of eastern after a comprehensive analysis of the situa- Gazprom’s possible gas volumes transited Putin was asked why he suddenly decided, Ukraine until December 31, 2021. The bill tion and consultations with foreign part- directly to Germany, from Russia, under the in January 2020, to rewrite the 1993 was approved by 304 lawmakers at a ners,” the ministry said. It is also noted that Baltic Sea. It would run parallel to and dou- Russian Constitution, granting himself Parliament session on December 15. Ukrainian diplomats are in close contact ble the 55 billion cubic meters per annum potentially 16 more years of unlimited Lawmakers of the Holos (Voice) and with foreign governments that have sus- capacity of the preexisting Nord Stream 1 power (until 2036). “We rejected those Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) political par- pended flights from the U.K. At the same pipeline project. Nord Stream 2 would international [Western] norms by prioritiz- ties did not take part in the vote. The legis- time, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine allow Gazprom to stop pumping any more ing our own,” spelled out Mr. Putin, lation was first adopted in September 2014 recommends that Ukrainian citizens tem- for a period of three years after Russia Europe-bound gas through Ukraine, thus “because now our army is one of the best in incited an insurgency in the eastern regions (Continued on page 14) providing Moscow an additional tool with the world, and we can do as we please.” In which to pressure Kyiv. The pipeline has 1993, Russia was weak, needed Western been strongly opposed by Poland, other aid and was forced to adopt liberal norms in its constitution. In 1999, Russia could Central European states and the European hardly gather 50,000 fighting men to invade Commission, but it is defiantly promoted by he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933 Chechnya. Today, the country does not need T U W Berlin and the German business sector, Westerners to tell it what to do, Mr. Putin which is a major pro-Russian and pro-Putin An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., insisted (Kremlin.ru, December 17). lobbying force in Europe. According to Mr. a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. According to the Kremlin head, a new Putin, Russia has “many, many friends in Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. arms race is already in full swing, and the Germany.” Mr. Putin hopes Mr. Biden, who Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. United States is fully to blame – after has expressed a desire to rebuild relation- (ISSN — 0273-9348) Washington scrapped the Anti-Ballistic ships with European allies, will drop the Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2002, Moscow was The Weekly: UNA: Trump administration’s sanctions against forced to respond. Russia has been devel- Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 Nord Stream 2 (more of which were just oping an array of superweapons, including included in the recently passed Congress­ various hyper-velocity innovations that are Postmaster, send address changes to: ional 2021 defense authorization bill – see supposedly impossible to intercept. “The The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Andrew Nynka EDM, December 14), helping out the Americans have precision weapons but do 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas Kremlin leader and his allies (Kremlin.ru, not have hypersonic ones. Of course, they P.O. Box 280 Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] December 17). Gazprom has sunk billions are developing them and catching up,” Mr. of dollars into almost completing Nord Putin claimed. “But when they do, we will Stream 2, while Mr. Putin seems to have a be ready [with effective countermeasures].” The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com personal interest in the state-controlled gas The Russian president expressed confi- monopoly’s wellbeing. The Ukrainian Weekly, December 27, 2020-January 3, 2021, dence that the West and, specifically, the No. 52-1, Vol. LXXXVIII-LXXXIX Mr. Putin strongly rejects – as supposed- U.S. archenemy have no recourse but to ly a U.S. intelligence community provoca- accept Russia as an equal entity and bar- Copyright © 2020 The Ukrainian Weekly tion – the notion that Russian hackers sup- gain for some quid pro quo (Kremlin.ru, ported Mr. Trump’s 2016 election pros- December 17). But it remains to be seen pects in any way as well as all other just how fruitful such bargaining will be ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA reports, past or present, of Russian state- with a Biden White House. sponsored hacking. And he rebukes charg- Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 es of any other Russian mischief on the The article above is reprinted from e-mail: [email protected] international stage, like using the Novichok Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 nerve agent to poison anyone. Mr. Putin its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, e-mail: [email protected] declared Moscow to be a “white and fluffy” www.jamestown.org. No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Baku’s success in using Turkish drones raises question: Could Ukraine use them against Russia in Crimea?

by Paul Goble executive at Ukraine’s military industry Azerbaijani defense ministry and more Donbas (Regnum, October 20, 23). The rea- Eurasia Daily Monitor firm Ukroboronprom, that Kyiv might be broadly as well” (Aktsenty, December 7). sons Russia is likely to be concerned direct- able to produce “its own analogue” to the Turkey had used domestically-devel- ly echo the factors animating discussions The Azerbaijani military’s use of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 in a year (Regnum, oped attack and reconnaissance UAVs in Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles November 30). Together, those pronounce- support of its own military operations in that most anti-aircraft defense systems do (UAVs), purchased from Turkey, played ments suggest Kyiv has absorbed the les- northern Syria and in Libya (see Terrorism notamong work European well against defense low-flying analysts: and the slow- fact such a prominent role in Baku’s victory sons from the recent fighting in Karabakh Monitor, April 17; see EDM, June 11; moving UAVs, and that the real-time infor- over Armenian forces during the Second and decided to move forward more rapidly YouTube, December 9). But until recently, it mation these drones can provide tends to Karabakh War (September 27–November on its UAV strategy and defense coopera- had not sold them to other countries, Mr. mitigate whatever other advantages of the 9, 2020) that defense analysts around the tion with Turkey (see EDM, November 16). Chablin writes. The success Azerbaijan had opposing side. world are now focusing on how their coun- That motivation by itself – even before any in the use of these drones may help As one Russian analyst, Denis Fedutinov, tries may utilize similar unmanned systems tangible changes become apparent on the Turkey’s defense ministry meet its goal of contends, Azerbaijan’s success in using and how they could respond if such drones ground – is likely to set off alarm bells in selling $10 billion of Turkish weaponry drones against Armenia is an obvious are used against them (Regnum, accessed Russia, whose forces will be the most likely over the next three years, something that advertisement for the Turkish weapon and December 16; Ecfr.eu., November 24; see targets of Turkish drones deployed by could boost Ankara’s position as a major for unmanned aerial systems as such. EDM, November 9). Notably, Azerbaijan Ukraine. player in key conflicts around the world. Therefore, he suggests, there is likely to be employed its Bayraktars to identify and Anton Chablin, a Russian specialist on Moreover, as Mr. Chablin notes, Turkish intense discussions in world capitals about attack Armenian forces as well as to pro- the Caucasus who has tracked the employ- - whether UAVs require a fundamental vide a real-time picture of the battlefield ment of UAVs by Azerbaijan against er reason for promoting the sale of redrafting of both offensive and defensive that was useful for both strategic planning Armenia, points out that these Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has anoth military plans. At the same time, the les- and propaganda (see EDM, October 15). drones were “actively used by Azerbaijan” Selçuk Bayraktar, is “one of the top manag- sons drawn from the autumn 2020 Now, Vadim Nozdrya, who heads the not only to track down and destroy ersadvanced and technical Turkish expertsUAVs: His at theson-in-law, Baykar Karabakh war could possibly trigger a new Ukrainian arms trade state committee Armenian forces in the mountainous region Makina firm, which developed these mili- arms race between countries like Turkey, Ukrspetseksport, has announced that Kyiv where the war was primarily fought but tary drones” (Aktsenty, December 7). which produce such advanced UAVs, and is prepared to purchase from Turkey 48 of also, and importantly, as a means of provid- The concerns European analysts have others, against whom those drones might these battle-tested UAVs (Milliyet, ing details on a real-time basis to the mili- shown about the Azerbaijani precedent in be used, that will focus on the development December 4). That news is undoubtedly tary of where these Armenian units were the use of drones in combat are likely of weapons systems capable of destroying prompting analysts in Moscow to consider and where they were heading. “[This] shared by some in Moscow, Mr. Chablin or otherwise countering their effectiveness how Ukraine could eventually use such allowed the Azerbaijani command the suggests. Although so far, Russian commen- (Profile.ru, December 13). drones to threaten Russian control of occu- opportunity to deploy its forces in the most tators have only described Azerbaijan’s pied Crimea or Donbas and what Moscow effective way possible, and [it was also] a actions rather than discussed the implica- The article above is reprinted from needs to do in response. means of recording Azerbaijani victories tions that drones might have for Moscow Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Mr. Nozdrya’s words come on the heels and Armenian defeats in ways that could be itself should Ukraine deploy them against its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, of a declaration by Igor Fomenko, a top put up on the social media [accounts] of the Russian occupation forces in Crimea or www.jamestown.org.

COMMENTARY Russia to “return” icon gifted to Lavrov in Balkans amid signs it’s stolen Ukrainian heritage Putin threatens to increase Russia’s RFE/RL independence for the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska, which along with the “support” for occupied Donbas Russia announced on December 19 that Bosnian and Croat federation composes ly the release of prisoners on an “all for all it is returning a centuries-old Orthodox Bosnia. by Halya Coynash basis.” In fact, they are refusing to make any icon that was given to Foreign Affairs Mr. Lavrov’s visit this week proved prob- Kharkiv Human Rights exchange at all, with the excuse presented Minister Sergei Lavrov during a visit this lematic in other ways, too. Protection Group by the so-called “republics” totally absurd. week to the Balkans after revelations that it He cut out planned events after the A week after the chief prosecutor of the They are claiming that the reason is that might have been a protected cultural trea- Bosnian and Croat members of the Bosnian International Criminal Court announced Ukraine has not wiped the slate clean from sure stolen from Ukraine. presidency declined to meet with him over The embarrassing episode began when his choice to begin his visit on December grounds for investigating war crimes and a procedural point in the case of nine peo- Milorad Dodik, the Republika Srpska repre- 14 at Mr. Dodik’s offices outside Sarajevo crimes against humanity on occupied ple whom it released and handed over to sentative of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s tripartite and because of Mr. Lavrov’s reported sug- Ukrainian territory, Russian President the militants in the last exchange. It is not presidency, presented Moscow’s top diplo- gestion that the Dayton terms should Vladimir Putin has threatened a further clear whom they have in mind, however, mat with the artwork on December 14. remain in place. He also was said to have build-up in what he termed “support” for Serhiy Harmash from the Ukrainian delega- “The icon will be returned to its donors supported Mr. Dodik’s rejection of Bosnia’s Russia’s proxy Donbas “republics.” Such tion at the Trilateral Contact Group says for further clarification on its history via NATO aspirations. “support” since 2014 has resulted in the that the men’s whereabouts are unknown Interpol,” the Russian Foreign Ministry told The statements were seen by joint presi- Russian and Russian-controlled armed for- even to their lawyers, and without their journalists five days later. dents Sefik Dzaferovic and Zeljko Komsic as mations having vast stockpiles of tanks and consent and presence, it is not possible to A shared image of the artifact and its “disrespectful” toward Bosnia. other military hardware. meet the militants’ demand. There would seal had suggested it might be from the The Dayton agreement, which turned 25 Russia has, of course, always denied any certainly be other arguments against, for Ukrainian city of Luhansk, which has been last week, salvaged Bosnia’s statehood and military involvement in eastern Ukraine, example, withdrawing charges against the mostly controlled by Russia-backed sepa- saved many lives by ending bitter fighting and has particular reason to do so, given former Berkut officers accusing of mass ratists since 2014. between Bosnians, Croats and Serbs. the claims now against it in international murder on Maidan, however, the reason Its seal appeared to clearly state that it But its ethnically based divisions and courts over the downing on July 17, 2014, does, in any case, seem a pretext for block- was Ukrainian “cultural heritage” under decentralization of power parceled up of Malaysian airliner MH17 by a Russian ing any exchange, with that decision cer- protection of authorities in the Odesa authority normally vested in a central gov- BUK missile from Russia’s 53rd Anti- tainly coming from Russia. The latter, inci- region. ernment. Aircraft Missile brigade. During his annual dentally, has not “wiped any slates clean,” The Ukrainian embassy in Sarajevo Republika Srpska’s threats to secede press conference on December 17, Mr. despite the men it released in September quickly sent a letter to the Bosnian Foreign from Bosnia and Serbia’s reluctance to rec- Putin spoke only of other “support.” 2019 having been political prisoners and Ministry demanding a “public, immediate, ognize its former province of Kosovo as an “As we, Russia, supported Donbas, so we POWs illegally facing criminal charges. and unambiguous denial by the state lead- independent country are two of the key will continue to support it,” the Russian With respect to Russia’s “support” for its ership” of the reports that suggested it had issues hindering some Balkan countries’ president said. “We will even increase our proxy “republics” in Donbas, this has noth- possessed or transferred an important cul- ambitions to join the European Union and, support for Donbas. That concerns support ing to do with encouraging any real auton- tural, historic and religious artifact origi- in some cases, NATO, along with rampant of production, and resolving social issues, omy. Essentially the opposite, with mines nating in Ukraine. corruption and threats to the rule of law. and questions of an infrastructure nature, in Donbas having been closed with no The Bosnian ministry redirected the and so forth.” attempt to either ensure that they do not Ukrainian request to the Bosnian presiden- Copyright 2020, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Mr. Putin then went on to accuse pose a serious environmental hazard, or cy, which is a frequently awkward, ethnical- with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ Ukraine of failing to fulfil the Minsk to find other work for miners. The latter ly based power-sharing arrangement stem- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Accords and other familiar refrains. The are, presumably, seen as a source of cheap ming from the Dayton agreement to end Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see claim about Minsk comes as both Russia labor in Russia itself, while also increasing the Bosnian War in 1995. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-lavrov-bos- and its proxy “Donetsk and Luhansk peo- the potential problems for Kyiv. The Bosnian Serb leader Mr. Dodik has nia-returns-icon-stolen-ukrainian- ple’s republics” refuse to comply with a repeatedly threatened to try and secure dodik/31009086.html) major commitment of those accords, name- (Continued on page 22) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

OBITUARY: The Very Rev. Archpriest John Michael Fields The Very Rev. Archpriest John Michael Fields of Frackville, past grand-knight of the Frackville Knights of Columbus, a Pa., entered into eternity on Friday, November 27. The son of member of Frackville Rotary, member of Frackville the late John “Jack” Fields and Olga Uhryn Fields, John was Centennial Committee, previous member of the North born on February 19, 1950, in Butler Township, Pa., and is Schuylkill School Board, during which he was instrumental survived by his sister Diane M. Berkheiser and her husband in building the junior and senior high school in Fountain Dennis, and sister MaryAnn Fields-Whyne; nephew Keith Springs. He was also an active member of the Schuylkill John Berkheiser and his wife Shawn, niece Kristen A. County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, former partner Berkheiser, niece Katharine A. Whyne and her husband of Thomas and Fields Law Office in Frackville, instructor of Chris, and niece Maria A. Whyne; great-niece Caroline G. religious studies at Cardinal Brennan Jr./Sr. High School in Berkheiser and great-nephew Wyatt “Jack” Berkheiser. Fountain Springs, and participant in the recent Moderna The Rev. Fields began his extensive academic résumé at COVID-19 vaccine trial being conducted by the University Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., graduating magna of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The Rev. Fields was active cum laude with a dual degree in Russian studies and politi- in numerous other projects to benefit both the Borough of cal science in 1972. He continued to Villanova University in Frackville and Schuylkill County. Villanova, Pa., graduating from The Charles Widger School But he also sought also to enjoy life and thoroughly of Law with his juris doctorate in 1975. Upon passing the enjoyed all things Disney, was an avid political spectator, bar exam, he began practicing law in Frackville partnering possessed a particular love of firework displays, and shar- with attorney Jack Thomas to form the Thomas and Fields Very Rev. Archpriest John Michael Fields ing his love and knowledge with his family, community and Law Office. peers. His loss is tremendous to all who knew him. Years later he entered St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic construction and rededication of two new churches and In his communique to the archeparchy on Friday, Seminary in Washington, D.C., to begin his pursuit of reli- took pride in helping design both to emulate the traditional Metropolitan-Archbishop Borys Gudziak regretfully informed gious studies. During this time, he entered The Catholic wooden church structures found in Ukraine. In 2003, the the bishops, clergy, religious and faithful that the Rev. Fields University of America in Washington, where he obtained Rev. Fields was named pastor of St. Michael the Archangel passed away peacefully in his home. Metropolitan- his master’s degree of Sacred Theology from the universi- Ukrainian Catholic Church in Frackville, Pa., his home parish, Archbishop Borys called him “an ardent American and a ty’s School of Theology and Religious Studies in 1986. and also the neighboring St. John the Baptist Ukrainian proud carrier of the legacy of his Pennsylvania coal-mining During that year, he also completed coursework from The Catholic Church in Maizeville, Pa., until 2014. Finally, from Catholic University’s School of Canon Law, later earning his 2013 until his passing, he was the director of communica- future of the church, of the United States and of his ability to doctorate of canon law. tions for the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. homeland.”help make a betterHe remained future for “hopeful” us all. about the future: the On April 4, 1985, the Rev. Fields was ordained to the dia- The Rev. Fields served in various and numerous minis- A Panakhyda was celebrated on December 3 at St. conate at the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic tries within the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy. Over the Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Cathedral in Philadelphia by Metropolitan-Archbishop years, he was assistant editor, and later editor of “The Frackville, Pa. The Rev. Fields laid in repose at St. Michael’s Stephen Sulyk. A year later, on May 11, 1986, Deacon John Way,” the official newspaper of the Ukrainian Archeparchy, Ukrainian Catholic Church until 7 p.m., followed by a was ordained to the holy priesthood also in Philadelphia. member of the Archeparchial Insurance Department, priestly Parastas that was celebrated by the bishops and On May 17, 1998, Archbishop Sulyk conferred upon the assistant finance officer, member of the board of directors clergy of the archeparchy. Rev. Fields the honor and title of protopresbyter, or arch- of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference of Bishops, spiri- Following the funeral liturgy, interment was held at the priest, for his dedicated work in the priesthood. tual director of the Holy Name Society in the South parish cemetery. His family request in lieu of flowers or His pastoral and administrative work within the Anthracite Council, member of the presbyteral council, other offerings that donations be made in his name to the Archeparchy of Philadelphia was numerous and varied. The president of the Priests’ Beneficial Fund, member of the St. Josaphat Seminary Endowment Fund, c/o Archbishop’s Rev. Fields began his parish assignment as an assistant in Archeparchial Corporate Board, protopresbyter of the Chancery, 810 North Franklin Street, Philadelphia, PA 1988 at The Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic South Anthracite Protopresbyterate, director of Ascension 19123, as he was dedicated to academics and study for Church in Lansdale, Pa. Later that year, he was named the Manor Nursing Facility in Philadelphia and vice-chancellor those wishing to enter the priesthood. administrator of the parish at the neighboring St. Anne of the archeparchy. All services were live-streamed on the St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church parish in Warrington, Pa. During His civil involvement and achievements were likewise Ukrainian Catholic Church Facebook page (www.facebook. his time there, from 1988 through 2004, he oversaw the numerous and varied. The Rev. Fields was a member and com/StMichaelsUkrainianChurchFrackville).

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Ukrainian Catholic University top-rated in IT field LVIV – DOU (developers.org.ua), a community of Ukrainian programmers, recently publicized its analysis of the ratings of the best institutions of higher education in the information technology (IT) field in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Catholic University, in particular its Applied Sciences Faculty, received first place among all Ukraine’s institutions of higher education. This year’s rating, which was released on October 5, was based on the results of the admissions campaign of 2020, for which UCU received 189.15 out of 200 points on the weighted average of applications in the IT field. In previous years, the DOU rating was based on a survey of students and graduates of universities who work in the IT field regarding the quality of education at their universi- ties. This year’s analysis rated each university that has IT and related specialties on the basis of data from the EDBO, the single government electronic base on questions of edu- cation. Researchers focused on indicators of the entrant’s level of preparedness and the popularity of specializations, using the average test score in the category weighted for applica- tions in the IT specialization at the institutions rated. The DOU rating included universities that received no less than 200 applications in the IT field. The Ukrainian Catholic Lesyk Urban University headed the list of 82 institutions of higher edu- Students at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. cation in Ukraine. In 2019, UCU had shared first place with the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. strength in ‘deep international water.’ A rating according to the team, teachers for their dedicated work, and our part- Yaroslav Prytula, dean of the Applied Sciences Faculty, entrance scores is only one measure of quality, easy to cal- ners, students, applicants and their parents for their great - culate. But there are many measures of quality, difficult to faith in our university.” ly pleased to be in the circle of respected Ukrainian univer- calculate, but which are truly more important and which sitiescommented and, Ion think, this year’s it is ratingworthwhile by DOU: for “We us are to extremetest our we are trying to develop at UCU. I am sincerely grateful to Source: DOU

Today the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of Christ

Address of Metropolitan Emmanuel of Church of Ukraine was a new beginning as fectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Cor. There is a lot still to be done, and this France delivered in Kyiv on December 15, on it became the 15th autocephalous Orthodox will only be accomplished by joining forces the occasion of the Second Anniversary of Church. The adoption of the Charter paved that remains is to maintain this unity and and will only be possible with the coopera- the Unification Council of the Orthodox the way for the signing of the Tomos of not1:10). to Therefore,leave any spacethe primary for the challenge devil to tion of all of you, under the leadership of Church of Ukraine. Autocephaly, which was bestowed by His destroy that which was accomplished with His Beatitude. It is indeed a very emotional All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch a lot of joint efforts. moment every time that we gather in this Your Beatitude, Bartholomew on the day of the Epifany of The growth and the challenges of the holy and historical place, the church of the Your Excellencies / Eminences, our Lord, the 6th of January 2019. local Orthodox Church of Ukraine are Holy Wisdom of God, and we give thanks At this moment, we are gathered here in However, the gathering in this same noticeable, and Your Beatitude has shown, once more to God, and we ask for His peace prayer to give thanks to our Triune God for church of Saint Sophia helped us proceed during these last two years, the appropri- and that He may free us from the slavery of this second anniversary of the Unification in the necessary wisdom, by overcoming all ate maturity and determination in ensuring the pandemic. As we are proceeding to cel- Sobor, which took place on the 15th of other obstacles, to obtain the unity of the the optimal organization of the Orthodox ebrate the feast of the Nativity of our Lord, December 2018, and the achievement of Church. Reminded by the words of the Church of Ukraine by the proper steps. The let us not forget the angelic hymn “Glory to this historical event is brought to mind. Apostle to the Gentiles, you ought to be recognition of the Church by the God in the highest, and on earth peace, Guided by the Holy Spirit, we managed, all united “in the name of our Lord Jesus Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Orthodox together, to give a new perspective and to Christ, that all of you agree with one anoth- Churches of Greece and Cyprus bode well we first give glory to God so that we can show the unity of the local Orthodox Church er in what you say and that there be no and shows much hope for its recognition in havegoodwill peace toward on earth. men!” (Luke 2:14) so that two years ago. The creation of the Orthodox divisions among you, but that you be per- the future by other churches. Source: OrthodoxTimes.com.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew prays for victims of Holodomor

ISTANBUL – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew served a memorial service on November 28 at the Patriarchal Church at the Phanar for the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine on the occasion of the 87th anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies in the modern history of the country, during which millions of peo- ple died of starvation. The service was attended by Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imvros and Tenedos, Bishop Adrianos of Alikarnassos, Archimandrite Charalampy Nichev, who is responsible for the Ukrainian community in Istanbul, the Consul General of Ukraine in Istanbul, Oleksandr Gaman, as well as officials of the consul- ate and members of the Ukrainian community of Istanbul. In his homily, Patriarch Bartholomew said, “…the Holodomor, the Great Famine in Ukraine, which aimed to kill from 7 to 10 million pious Ukrainians through starvation during the most horrible years of the Soviet regime, from 1932 to 1933, and which we prayerfully com- memorate on this day. …Today, we pray for the repose of the souls of these millions of pious Ukrainians […] to ‘a place of light, a place of green pasture, a place of refreshment, whence pain, grief and sighing have fled away.’ Singing ‘eternal memory’ to these faithful, we remember their tragic end and witness to all our human family that we must never forget such evil starvation, but on the contrary, we must condemn the Holodomor, so that such atrocities would not be repeated in the history of humanity.” Source: https://www.ecupatria.org/2020/11/30/the-ecumenical-patri- arch-prayed-for-the-victims-of-the-great-famine-in-ukraine/ 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

CHRISTMAS PASTORAL LETTER The Ukrainian Weekly Our Christmas wish Today the Orthodox Church Writing in a recent Facebook post about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our lives, Metropolitan-Archbishop Borys Gudziak succinctly captured how celebrates the Nativity of Christ these past nine months have affected our mental health and well-being. “We yearn Nativity Epistle of the Permanent Today the entire world is anxious, just as for hope, normalcy, freedom, eager to exhale, unwrap our wings, and break out from Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops the residents of Jerusalem were aforetime the confinement. Many pray just to survive,” the archbishop wrote on December 23. Beyond the Borders of Ukraine to the God- It has certainly been a difficult year for most, if not all, of us. As we look back beloved Pastors, Venerable Monastics, and peace on earth and good-will among men over the past year and reflect on 2020, we share Archbishop Gudziak’s perspective all Faithful Children of the Ukrainian fills(Mt. every2:3), andChristian so the soul angelic with song peace about and that this time of year is also an opportunity to reflect more deeply on our lives, on Orthodox Church in the Diaspora and in hope for a better future. For today the our relationships with one another, and on our own well-being. Ukraine. Savior of the world lies in a manger, He “Despite the pitfalls, losses, and the depressive quagmire of 2020, the time we’ve who “does not break the bent reed and spent alone has given us an unprecedented occasion to contemplate spiritual mat- “Today Christ is born from a Virgin in does not snuff out the smoldering flax” (Is. ters,” Archbishop Gudziak wrote of his own experience during the pandemic. “In Bethlehem, today the Eternal One is born what is it that we put our hope and faith? What is truly significant and life-giving? What is the true meaning of Christmas?” heaven rejoice, the earth and all mankind and42:3). earth, “He is which our peace, had Who been tore erected down theby These are important questions, and we don’t assume to have the right answers. rejoice”and the (FestalWord is Stykhyra) incarnated: the powers of humandividing unrighteousness. wall” (Eph. 2:14) between heaven But at this time of year – and particularly at the end of such a difficult year – we Christ is Born! Mankind has contemplated this Divine share Archbishop Gudziak’s perspective that even the darkest, most difficult Today the Orthodox Church again cele- Infant for over 2,000 years, and from Him moments in our lives come with an opportunity. brates the Nativity of Christ, commemorat- many derive life-giving strength which “I hope that for you, the lockdown and quarantine, the limits on travel and recre- ing the advent into the world of the Son of transforms their life for the better. The ation, have not been exclusively negative. This crisis can be an occasion for deep God. The entire Christian world glorifies Holy Fathers say that Christ came to the personal discovery and honest soul-searching. And maybe, victories, large and and magnifies the New-born God-child, earth in order to raise us up to heaven, that small,” the archbishop wrote. Christ the Lord. he became man, that we might become Other spiritual leaders in our community have echoed this sentiment. St. Paul calls the Nativity of Christ “A sons of God, that He became poor that we “Instead of falling into despair, let us resolve to look upon this interruption in might be rich, and humble so that we might our life through the eyes of faith and as a God-given opportunity to grow in grace, be glorified. in spiritual peace, and in love for each other,” Bishop Paul P. Chomnycky, OSBM, incarnationmystery of great of the piety: Son of God God appeared is the greatest in the It is a great sorrow to us all, that this wrote in this year’s Christmas pastoral message from the Ukrainian Catholic andflesh. deepest (I Tiim. mystery 3:16). of The the mystery Christian of faith. the year during the celebration of the Nativity Hierarchy of the U.S.A. The Pre-eternal God becomes man without holidays we experience a great trial as a “At this time when most of us are more homebound, let us devote more time to ceasing to be God. The Holy Evangelist result of the coronavirus pandemic. Today personal and family prayer, spiritual reading and meditation upon the miracle of John the Theologian says “The Word our temples are affected by particular Christ’s Incarnation and His coming to us as a helpless baby. And let us be true became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn. restrictions which prevent our faithful from neighbors and stretch our helping hands and hearts to those in our communities receiving necessary pastoral care. But the who are suffering both spiritually and physically during these difficult days,” Bishop In our contemporary anxious and con- great feast which we celebrate, the Nativity Chomnycky wrote. fused1:14). world, where terror and uncertainty of Christ, reminds us of God’s immeasur- We hope, and wish, and pray that the coming year will bring you good health, reign, the quiet and joyful angelic hymn able love for the human person. “God so happiness, prosperity and well-being. But as we wait for our Christmas wish to loved the World, that He gave His Only- come true, perhaps even in these difficult times amid our own suffering and strug- peace is on earth, and His good-will among gle as a result of this pandemic, we might yet find the strength and resolve to, as rings out: “Glory to God in the highest, His (Continued on page 11) Bishop Chomnycky put it, “be true neighbors and stretch our helping hands and hearts to those in our communities who are suffering both spiritually and physical- men” (Lk. 2:14). ly.” This is our Christmas wish – that together we look after one another despite our own difficulties and struggles. In doing so we might just find a degree of peace, happiness, and health that we have all seemingly longed for this past year. We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, joyous, healthy new year!

Dec. Turning the pages back...

Forty-seven years ago, on December 28, 1973, world 28 renowned Russian writer, dissident and winner of the Nobel Prize for literature Alexandr Solzhenitsyn published the first of 1973 his three tomes on “The Gulag Archipelago, 1918-1956,” that detailed the concentration camps’ secret police surveillance and terror in the Soviet Union. Chronicling the period following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 until Nikita Krushchev’s rise to power, Solzhenitsyn warned “if freedom does not come to my country for a long time,” then the mere reading of this book will be considered a serious crime. In 260,000 words, the first book is based on Solzhenitsyn’s nine-year incarceration in concentration camps and those of 277 other former inmates with whom the writer came in contact. The book contains detailed accounts of how the Soviet police system worked, their methods of extracting confessions of uncommitted crimes and tortures used in the prison camps. He stated that this form of torture still existed in the camp at the time of the book’s publication. Western analysts called the book Solzhenitsyn’s most explosive work and would undoubtedly cause a great deal of friction between him and Soviet officials, in addition to a great deal of discussion in the West. Soviet news agency TASS released an official communique dated January 2, 1974, in which Soviet authorities harshly denounced Solzhenitsyn for his book and labeled it “a blanket slander of the Soviet people.” The New York Times ran an additional release on January 3 of that year by TASS, which did not deny any of the accusations described in the book, but noted “in some points Solzhenitsyn went further than before,” referring to prais- es of the tsarist regime and to the comparison of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union. Soviet officials explained that the book “only sows mistrust” between the USSR and the rest of the world, and aids in “prolonging the Cold War.” Solzhenitsyn, who was among the most outspoken critics of Soviet internal policies, hesitated in publishing the book when a close associate of his, Yelizaveta Voronyanskaya, was arrested by the KGB, tortured until she revealed the location of a copy of the manu- script given to her by the author, and eventually committed suicide. This led him to publish the book at Editions YMCA-Press, a Paris-based Russian lan- guage publisher. The book would be translated and published in English by Harper and Row in April 1974. Excerpts from the book had been printed at the time on the pages of “Didukh” by Iryna Korchuk and Volodymyr Petryshyn, from a Christmas card pub- (Continued on page 23) lished by the Ukrainian National Association in 2020. No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 7

COMMENTARY FOR THE RECORD Resources and tips Prime hierarchs greet Metropolitan Epifaniy for raising bilingual children on second anniversary of Unification Council by Orysia D. Buchan development. There are books online, such Below are the statements of greeting this country can be an example of from the prime hierarchs of the Orthodox Orthodoxy, because it is the will of God. Most people understand the importance favorite places to buy Ukrainian books and Churches of Greece, Alexandria, Cyprus and Only from this example can we achieve and benefits of being bilingual. Increased gamesas those is found at www.kootaooma.com. at казка.укр and one of (For my Constantinople on the occasion of the second unity in Orthodoxy, Orthodoxy which brainpower, academic advantages in kids, Harry Pottery fans out there, the Ukrainian anniversary of the Unification Council that serves Christian peoples, with Christ as the increased awareness of cultures, improved version of this fan favorite is wonderful!) was held on December 15, 2018, which was center, and we shall be members of this competitiveness in the job market, and instrumental in the creation of the Orthodox lovely Church, all Orthodox, of which we making it easier to learn a third language from Toronto. This is a great kids’ magazine Church of Ukraine (OCU), and its election of find ourselves in all corners of the world. are just some of the benefits. For me, I that• Kids’is interesting magazines to such adults as “Розумники”and children Metropolitan Epifaniy as its prime hierarch. We wish Your Beatitude Many Years! believe that language is the basis of culture alike. In Ukraine, there are many kids’ mag- The 2018 Unification Council and its deci- May God grant you and the Orthodox and, without language, the culture eventu- sions led to the Tomos of Autocephaly being Church of Ukraine all the best, and you spe- ally disappears. others. I found it to be difficult to get these granted to the OCU by the Ecumenical cifically, but also all Orthodoxy. When I became a mom, I didn’t know shippedazines, such directly as “Малятко,” to the U.S., so“Пізнайко,” a family mem and- Patriarch Bartholomew on January 6, 2019, there were so many resources out there +Chrysostomos II, ber or a friend in Ukraine may be needed to which recognized the OCU as independent. that could help in learning Ukrainian. So Archbishop of Cyprus (Source: pomisna.info, translated by much has changed since I was a kid. After Nicosia, Cyprus, December 15, 2020 - Matthew Dubas) nine years and four kids, I thought I would ko-tv.com.ua/noviy_nomer/.get these. Readers can find “Малятко” at the Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria offer a list of compiled resources that have following internet address: https://malyat helped my family, as well as some tips on Music Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and all Africa Theodore raising truly bilingual children. I hope this and all Greece I wish to express on behalf of the second may help others in their quest for their kids Your Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and department, of the great Patriarchate, from to know Ukrainian as well. This obviously there• Mus areic. many Оля great Фриз, Ukrainian ‘Добридень!’ kids’ CDs by all Ukraine, in Christ God as a highly loved the blessed Cairo, here, in God-treaded is not all-encompassing, but it is meant to thatМірка have й Оля, catchy Перші toons Кроки, and are Зореплавці... worthy of and worthy brother and co-serving in our Egypt, to sincerely congratulate His offer a good base from which to begin. adult ears, as well. Also, for a mix of humility, Hierarch Epifaniy, we in the Lord Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and all First off, and the most important by far, Ukrainian and English radio, try UkrRadio embrace and sincerely and joyously greet Ukraine Epifaniy on the occasion of two is to speak Ukrainian at home. If both par- out of both New York City and Chicago. Your Beatitude. years from the date of his selection to the ents are able to speak Ukrainian, it is best In the Synodal Letter, which you hold in blessed throne of Ukraine. Online to speak Ukrainian at home all the time. If your hands, the Holy Synod of the Holy Our All-Holy Ecumenical Patriarch one parent is unable to do so, the next best Church of Greece and in our humility we Bartholomew of Constantinople whole- thing is for one parent to speak the minori- Baby Einstein? Visit www.ukrainianpower. express to you, in brotherhood, we raise heartedly, as selected by the Holy Synod, ty language (Ukrainian in this example) com• Whto purchaseo doesn’t the like Ukrainian Sesame version Street orof our wishes and sincere congratulations on granted autocephaly to our sister Church, and the other the majority language Baby Einstein and a few episodes of the occasion, with God’s assistance, on the the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. (English in the U.S.). Boomchyk Borovyk, the Ukrainian version second anniversary of the Declaration of My sincere congratulations, and many Apart from speaking Ukrainian in the of Sesame Street. There are even catchy Autocephaly and your selection to head the wishes from the second throne, the Ancient home, we are so fortunate to have some songs that teach the days of the week and Holy Church [of Ukraine], following the Patriarchate, missionary and blessed, to great resources surrounding us that may be months of the year. urgent actions of His All-Holiness our sister Ukrainian Church. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and My own heart especially rejoices in this, Print a Ukrainian book to your child? Go to you- having been chosen by the Holy Synod [of for as long as I had lived in Ukraine, I had of use to you: • Online books. Want someone to read enjoyed the blessed workings of the Lord, - the Orthodox Church of Ukraine]. We sincerely wish that under the pru- specifically I had recognized the generosity one read to you truly helps with language tube.com (Continuedand type “Казка on pageз Татом.” 9) • Books! Reading and listening to some dent priesthood of Your Beatitude, the Holy of the souls and great faith of the extremely Church of Kyiv and All Ukraine has radiated Godly people of Ukraine. LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Your Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and tinguishable light of peace and love from all Ukraine Epifaniy, you are the youngest thenear eternal and far God(Ephesians the Word 2:17) and with our an Savior inex among the Orthodox Primates. However, I from the threat of or use of force against Jesus Christ, Who for our sake became am familiar with your goodness and godli- Terms for a U.S.- the territorial integrity or political indepen- incarnate in the flesh, adhering to Apostolic ness. You speak contemporary Greek, and dence of Ukraine.” succession and true Orthodox teachings. this I underscore, the original language of Russia reset Russia violated the agreement when it Additionally, we pray that He, Who the writings of the Holy Fathers of the annexed Crimea in 2014 and invaded east- If Joe Biden is to reset the U.S. relation- became an infant, Who is eternal, that He Church and Gospel is Greek. ern Ukraine. What does it say when 25 ship with Russia, the starting point needs safeguard Your Beatitude, members of the I wish to congratulate you on behalf of years later Ukraine is practically helpless to be 1994, the year the leaders of Russia, Holy Synod who elected you, pious clergy the Church of Saint Mark, and on behalf of against the giant nuclear-backed war Ukraine, the U.S. and the U.K. sat side-by- and God-loving faithful of the Holy Church the missionary Church of the Holy machine of Vladimir Putin? The war in side in Hungary to sign the Budapest of Ukraine and that He grant them strong Patriarchs, and therefore our Churches eastern Ukraine, which is now in its sev- Memorandum on Security Assurances. Its unite a great history. enth year and shows no sign of ending, has health, under the Strong and Holy intent and purpose was clear. Ukraine was I wish you, that your pastoral service to the claimed the lives of 14,000 civilians, 4,000 Protection of the All-Holy Theotokos and all to give up the third largest nuclear arsenal Godly people of Ukraine is always blessed, soldiers and displaced 2 million people. the saints. May all your years be joyous. in the world. With this, I greet Your Beatitude with a so that God may grant you all the best. In exchange, Russia would respect the George Jaworsky loving and holy kiss. Gift the love of your beautiful Ukrainian existing borders of Ukraine and “refrain Wollert, Australia With great love in the Lord, people and attain God’s blessings every day. A loving brother in Christ, To your hierarchs and your flock I send my wishes and all my love, so that again + Ieronymos II, and again it may continue for many, many GUIDELINES FOR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Archbishop of Athens and all Greece years and you may celebrate with your Athens, Greece, December 14, 2020 The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor that react to articles pub- blessed flock. lished on its pages. Opinions expressed by letter writers are their own and do not Many Years! Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus necessarily reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, May the blessings of St. Mark always be the Ukrainian National Association. On the occasion of the second anniversa- with all of you! ry of the granting of the Tomos of Letters must be signed (anonymous letters are not published) and the city from +Theodore II, Autocephaly by Ecumenical Patriarch to the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria which they are sent will be published under the author’s name. However, the day- Orthodox Church of Ukraine, I greet its pri- time phone number, e-mail address and complete mailing address of the letter- and all Africa mate, Your Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv Alexandria, Egypt, December 15, 2020 writer must be given for verification purposes. Epifaniy, and pray that the Lord aids you to THE LENGTH OF LETTERS CANNOT EXCEED 250 WORDS. Letters may be edited be worthy in your mission and service in Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew or abridged. The Weekly reserves the right to edit for clarity, civility and accuracy. the exhaustive shepherding of the of Constantinople Letters should be sent to [email protected] or to The Ukrainian Weekly, Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which has Your Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. truly suffered much in the many past all Ukraine, Christ our God’s beloved and decades. And I hope that in the person of desirable brother and our co-server in Your Beatitude Epifaniy it has found a capa- humility, Epifaniy, your attentive Beatitude OUR NEXT ISSUE ble head, who can lead it to the quiet in brotherhood in the Lord, I strongly havens, so that under Your Beatitude’s care embrace and congratulate you! The next edition of The Ukrainian Weekly will be dated January 10, 2021. it is able with certainty to continue on its path to salvation, and that in every day in (Continued on page 23) 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

ister of education, he did not prepare Protests begin... Ukraine’s schools for the new school year (Continued from page 1) and he did not ensure the purchase of per- sonal protective equipment for educators. challenges, the protesters wrote in their “The appointment of Serhiy Shkarlet as open letter, “because it is about the quality minister of education and science is a of education of our children who will help shame for Ukraine and the Ukrainian build the economy and other important Parliament,” said Natalia Pipa, a national areas of the country’s life.” deputy from the Holos Party and secretary Critics of Mr. Shkarlet’s point out that he of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on was a member of the Party of Regions and Education, Science, and Innovation. worked with President Viktor Yanuko­ “Mr. Shkarlet is satisfied with the old sys- vych’s reviled Minister of Education tem, when diplomas and degrees could be Dmytro Tabachnyk. Mr. Shkarlet has also bought, and you could enter university with been suspected of corruption and plagia- a bribe,” Ms. Pipa said. rism. Nevertheless, both President “This person is unprofessional and dis- Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister honest. He became an academic due to pla- Denys Shmyhal supported him for the edu- giarism and he became a minister as a cation minister’s role. As a result, Mr. result of button-pressing,” Ms. Pipa said, Shkarlet was appointed acting minister in referring to the manner by which Dmytro Chypchev June even though the Verkhovna Rada com- Parliament voted for Mr. Shkarlet. She Students and educators gathered in front of the presidential office to protest the mittee on education did not vote to appointment of Serhii Shkarlet to the position of minister of education and science of added that the Holos Party will show that approve the appointment. Ukraine. the vote in Parliament for Mr. Shkarlet’s In response to the news of Mr. appointment was not valid, “and we will Shkarlet’s appointment to the position of Regions cannot head the Ministry of Petro Poroshenko’s political party, though seek Mr. Shkarlet’s resignation.” minister of education and science of Education and Science. That’s why we’re he was not elected. Ms. Pipa also point out that video camer- Ukraine, protests broke out in several cit- announcing the ‘Stop Shkarlet’ protest cam- Protest organizers said they believe Mr. as in the Verkhovna Rada showed 12 depu- ies throughout the country, including paign. We call on academics, teachers, par- Shkarlet cannot head the Ministry of ties from the pro-Russian Opposition Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, ents, students, activists and all concerned Education and Science, and they pointed Platform – For Life (Oppozytsiyna Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolayiv, Lviv, to join the protests and we demand the out that the National Agency for Quality Platforma – Za Zhyttia) in the Parliament Khmelnytskyy, Sumy, Ternopil, Lutsk, appointment of a worthy head of the minis- Assurance in Higher Education accused Mr. hall at the moment of the vote. However, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro and Stryi (Lviv Oblast). try,” said Daniil Lubkin, head of the Shkarlet of plagiarism in four of his previ- official results for the vote in the Verkhovna The protests were coordinated under the Ukrainian Students for Freedom organiza- ous academic papers. Rada showed that there were 20 votes in banner “Stop Shkarlet.” tion. “There are a lot of plagiarists in Ukraine, favor of Mr. Shkarlet’s appointment from During the largest of the protests, which In addition to running for a seat on the but in my social environment, academic members of the same party. The Verkhovna took place in Kyiv and included roughly Chernihiv Oblast Council as a member of dishonesty ends with expulsion,” said Rada’s Regulations Committee is expected 300-400 people, representatives of educa- the Party of Regions, Mr. Shkarlet has also Tetiana Buts, a student who took part in the to provide an official statement on the mat- tional, youth, and student organizations stated in previous interviews that he sup- ter. Members of the Holos Party said that if signed an official appeal to Mr. Zelenskyy ported Mr. Yanukovych in a previous presi- expelled from the university, that’s okay, the vote is not overturned by the demanding the minister’s dismissal. dential election. During local elections in andprotest. you can“It’s go a tostrange work in logic: the government.” if you were Regulations Committee, then they will pre- “We, students, believe that a plagiarist 2015, however, Mr. Shkarlet ran for the Critics of Mr. Shkarlet’s from the aca- pare a petition to the Constitutional Court and a former member of the Party of Chernihiv Oblast Council as a member of demic community said that, as acting min- to dispute the matter. No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 9

Hollywood movie “Hustle” filmed This limited-time offer is available until in Ukrainian Catholic archeparchy of Philadelphia January 16, 2021. PHILADELPHIA – For two days, on will include cameos by NBA players Kyle October 14-16, the Ukrainian Catholic Lowry, Mr. James and “loads of NBA guys,” Archeparchy of Philadelphia was host to according to Mr. Sandler. Hollywood, as a Netflix movie, “Hustle,” was Special interior lighting was used to light filmed on location. up the windows of the Immaculate Filming scenes included the Chancery Conception Cathedral for the exterior shot. Offices of the Ukrainian Catholic The set dressers added shrubbery and Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and the for- greens in front of several buildings and dec- mer cathedral parochial school had a new orative light fixtures. sign over the entrance, which read “St. The surrounding streets were lined by Francis Roman Catholic High School.” the 14 tractor trailer trucks that trans- Starring Adam Sandler, and produced by ported equipment, served as make-up, him and LeBron James, the film is a basket- hair, wardrobe, cafeteria and dressing ball movie in which Mr. Sandler plays an rooms. Filming is scheduled to end by Get a 12 month NBA scout and he discovers a player in December and a premier date is to be Spain and brings him to America. The film released. online subscription of

translation of kids’ movies, such as Trolls, The Ukrainian Weekly Resources... Big Hero 6, Captain Underpants, Frozen, for only $30* (Continued from page 7) and basically a whole slew of Disney mov- ies, have been translated brilliantly into $80 for our print edition ($70 for UNA members) Ukrainian. Though the language can be a have access to Ukrainian cartoons, but with bit fast for those not used to it, you can get $30 for our online edition ($25 for UNA members). the• internet,Cartoons! it Growing is a cartoon up we explosion! just didn’t the ear for it relatively quickly. Talk about a Want a subscription for BOTH print and online? Simply go to youtube.com and type in car- great way to pick up a language! Visit the - Add only $5 to the price of a print subscription. pe.net/ toons such as “свинка пеппа укр,” “томас followingI’m sure link there for aremovies: many http://moviesta other resources * For new subscribers only. укр,” “чаггінгтон укр,” “зак і крак укр,” and I’d be interested in hearing what other “фіксики укр,” “герої в масках укр,” “чіп і readers recommend. To be honest, I never дейл,” etc. You can visit the Ukrainian kids ‘taught’ my kids Ukrainian, but, rather, we there.cartoon Other network cartoons online can by be searching found by “плюс visit- just spoke Ukrainian at home and used the плюс” to get ideas of other cartoons out above resources to enhance the kids’ learn- ing. It’s been a lot of fun and enriching for mult/ua/.ing the following Also, Mickey web sites:Mouse https://dity. Club can be everyone. Yes, it may have been easier to tydyvy.com/ and http://video.meta.ua/ not do any of this and stick to just English, Act now by contacting our Subscription Department: meta.ua/community/mult/ but few things worth doing are easy, and album/1614075/1614496/.found at the following link: http://video. the rewards of raising bilingual kids are tre- 973-292-9800 x 3040 • [email protected] mendous.

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Masters of ceremonies Christine Boyko and Valentyna Tabaka together with Seminarians from the Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary wish UNWLA many UNWLA President Marianna Zajac during the virtual gala. more years. Ukrainian National Women’s League of America celebrates 95th anniversary

by Natalia Pawlenko Over 1,200 people from across North America participated in a celebration of the 95th anniversary of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) on December 6. This virtual gala was a cele- bration of the generations of unique Ukrainian American women who, quietly and without much fanfare, have accom- plished so much over the decades. Highlighting the members and projects of the organization’s many branches and featuring beloved performing artists from Ukraine, the gala raised over $36,000 for important educational, cultural and humanitarian initiatives provided through the UNWLA. Ably facilitated by mistresses of ceremony Christine Boyko from Arizona, UNWLA People’s Artist of Ukraine Iryna Fedyshyn performed at the gala. Trio Trioda from Ukraine performed at the gala. national second vice-president, and Valenty­ Ukraine, and promote the preservation of 1932-1933 and, in November 1933, formed na Tabaka of New Jersey, UNWLA national American public about Ukraine and its cul- Ukrainian national identity, cultural heri- a committee to disseminate awareness officer at large, viewers also heard greetings ture; providing financial assistance for tage and ethnic traditions in the United about the Famine-Genocide in Ukraine. from the many supporters of the UNWLA educational studies into Ukrainian history States. The name given to the new organi- Today the UNWLA is an affiliate member of who remarked on the important role that and culture; and continuing support for zation was “Soyuz Ukrainok Ameryky” – in the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian the organization has played in Ukrainian the Ukrainian Museum in New York City, English, The Ukrainian National Women’s which it founded in 1976. Holodomor Genocide Awareness and con- American life, and they also spoke of the League of America. tinues the important work of raising aware- organization’s contributions to social wel- Today the UNWLA has branches in 23 About UNWLA Initiatives ness and recognition of the Holodomor as a fare and education in Ukraine and the U.S. states, from the west to the east coast, and The UNWLA is proud to sponsor a num- genocide through requests for gubernatori- About the UNWLA counts nearly 1,700 Ukrainian American ber of impactful initiatives which fall under al proclamations, holding Holodomor women among its members. The mission - exhibits and educational lectures and advo- In 1925, five Ukrainian women’s groups of the UNWLA has remained steadfast over al and social welfare. One of the most cating for the inclusion of the Holodomor in in New York City and vicinity formed a the past nine decades. Today, its work con- recentthree major initiatives, categories: “Spiritual educational, Rebirth cultur of genocide studies. centralized organization whose goals were tinues to center around the preservation of Ukraine Fund,” which began in March 2019, These are just a few of the projects and to inform the free world about events in Ukrainian cultural heritage; informing the provides financial support to two theologi- initiatives undertaken by UNWLA – there are many more. For additional information, Theological Seminary of the Ukrainian readers can visit the organization’s website Greek-Catholiccal seminaries: Church the Kyiv and Three the SaintsVolyn at www.unwla.org. A detailed history of Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Academy. UNWLA will soon be available in book form These two institutions focus on the when “UNWLA 1925-2020. Women’s training of future priests who will take Community, Citizenship, and Commitment their spiritual mission into the eastern in the Ukrainian Diaspora” by Dr. Martha regions of Ukraine to encourage and facili- Kichorowska Kebalo is published in mid- tate a spiritual rebirth, especially in this 2021. time of war and unrest in the nation. In her remarks about the longevity of this More recently, the UNWLA spearheaded organization, UNWLA President Marianna a funding drive called “UNWLA for USA” Zajac said that “the UNWLA provides its and $31,400 was donated to Feeding members with a sense of belonging, pride America, a national organization dedicated and inseparability, and the UNWLA is a to helping those who, as a result of the reflection of the Ukrainian soul, Ukrainian coronavirus pandemic, may not have heart and Ukrainian culture!” Ms. Zajac also enough food to eat. noted that the UNWLA is open to individu- The UNWLA was among the first als with fresh new ideas and a desire to do Ukrainian American organizations to send good, while working in collaboration with Map of UNWLA branches across the USA. aid to Ukraine during the Holodomor of other like-minded women.

Read the Ukrainian National Association’s newspapers online: www.ukrweekly.com • www.svoboda-news.com Our online archives are made possible by our generous sponsors: Self Reliance New York Anonymous donor Heritage Foundation of 1st Security Savings Bank Federal Credit Union Selfreliance Federal Credit Union Bahriany Foundation Shevchenko Scientific Society, U.S.A. SUMA Federal Credit Union and others No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 11

RTH Associates St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church (1970). St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cultural Center (2010). Ukrainian Orthodox parish celebrates 50th anniversary

by Maria Korkatsch-Groszko statehood of Ukraine. Greetings were received from His BLOOMINGDALE, IL. – On Sunday, Beatitude Epiphaniy, Metropolitan of Kyiv December 13, St. Andrew Ukrainian and All Ukraine; Archbishop Yevstratiy of Orthodox Cathedral (Orthodox Church of Chernihiv and Nizhyn; Archbishop Sergiy of Ukraine) in Bloomingdale, Ill., invited the Donetsk and Mariupol; the Rev. Mykhailo Ukrainian community of Illinois and Leshchyshyn, St. Andrew Ukrainian beyond to participate in a virtual celebra- Orthodox Cathedral in Bloomingdale; the tion of the feast of the patron saint St. Very Rev. Yaroslav Marikot, St. Andrew Andrew the “First-Called” and the 50th Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in anniversary of the inception of the parish in Bloomingdale; the Rev. Serhiy Kovalchuk, 1970. Dean of the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of The Very Rev. Mitered Archpriest Victor St. Nicholas in Chicago; the Rev. Anatoliy Poliarny, vicar of St. Andrew Ukrainian Basarab, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Cathedral and secretary for the Orthodox Holy Patronage Church; the Very Orthodox Church of Ukraine in U.S.A. and Rev. Roman Zahursky, Holy Trinity Canada, officiated a divine liturgy and a Ukrainian Orthodox Church Port Royalton, moleben to the Holy Mother of God. For Ohio; the Rev. Oleksiy Kasperuk, St. Sophia those who participated in the liturgy in Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Orthodox person, all regulations and recommenda- Church of Ukraine; Vitaliy Kutny, CEO of tions of local, state and federal agencies Self Reliance Ukrainian Credit Union; regarding COVID-19 were adhered to, and Oresta Fedinyak, Chair of the Self Reliance the service was live-streamed on Foundation. The Women’s Bandura Facebook. John Jaresko Ensemble of North America, under the In his remarks on this feast day, the Very St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral-OCU (2020) direction of Oksana Rodak and Oksana Zelinska, performed during the event, as the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. In Ukraine, Ukraine, descendants of the pious Mr. Jaresko said that the first divine litur- did the Bayda Quartet and the trio Trioda theRev. memoryPoliarny noted:of St. Andrew “…St. Andrew the Apostle is one ofis Ukrainian people, who in most difficult gy was held in 1970, in an ordinary home from Ternopil, Ukraine. majestically and reverently honored, as he times of their history did not forget God, in Downers’ Grove, Ill., where seven fami- Closing remarks were delivered by the is considered the founder of the Ukrainian did not lose hope in Him. … At this difficult lies gathered with a dream to start a Very Rev. Poliarny, in which he expressed Orthodox Church. … St. Andrew is also time in the U.S.A. and in Ukraine, we must Ukrainian Orthodox Church outside of deep gratitude to those who, through their credited for setting a cross and consecrat- believe that light will shine over darkness, Chicago. They later moved to a stable, dedication and hard work, have supported ing the ground on which Kyiv was built.” that good will defeat evil and better times which sat on the current property in St. Andrew for 50 years, as the parish Reflecting on the past 50 years of the will come.” Bloomingdale, Ill. evolved from “the stable” (1970) to the history of the parish, the Very Rev. John Jaresko, the president of the church Today the community of St. Andrew “cathedral with the golden domes in the Poliarny continued in his remarks “…when board of St. Andrew, offered a brief over- includes a dedicated cemetery; the “stable” Cossack-Baroque style” (blessed in 1988 in we think about the past, we will remem- view of the growth of the parish. “It was no was converted into a modern cultural cen- honor of the millennium since the Baptism ber how much effort and dedicated work coincidence that on December 13, 1970, ter, which includes a banquet hall, profes- of Ukraine into the Orthodox faith) in there was in founding and building the the Apostle Andrew was officially selected sional kitchen, a school of Ukrainian studies Bloomingdale. community of St. Andrew. Let us remem- as the patron saint of our parish,” Mr. and a branch of Self Reliance Ukrainian A recording of the virtual program can ber our predecessors, let us remember the Jaresko said. Credit Union. On the grounds of the parish, be found on the St. Andrew Ukrainian pioneers and our parents who have dedi- “The Kyiv cathedral in 1621, during the the Ukrainian Genocide Holodomor Orthodox Cathedral-OCU YouTube channel cated themselves in founding the parish of revival of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Monument stands as a memorial to the St. Andrew. … Our church fights against declared the apostolic origin of Christianity more than 10 million victims who were the destructive Russification, against in the Ukrainian lands. The conciliar subjected to death by starvation. The par- at https://youtu.be/LNTY2u8GuPA.Maria Korkatsch-Groszko, Ph.D., is vice- injustice and demoralization of our decree states St. Andrew the Apostle is the ish grounds also include the Monument to president of the executive board of St. Ukrainian people. By the will of God, first Archbishop of Constantinople, the the Heavenly Hundred and all the Heroes of Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral- wherever we are, let us not forget that we Ecumenical Patriarch and the apostle of Ukraine, which stands in memory of all of Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Bloomingdale, are children of our mother – sufferer – Ukraine,” Mr. Jaresko said. those who have laid down their lives for the Ill.

It is precisely the feast of the Nativity of We greet all of you with a sincere heart, + Antony Today... Christ which witnesses to the fact that God dear brothers and sisters, with the great Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox (Continued from page 6) does not leave us without His care. God not and salvific feasts of the Nativity of Christ, Church of the USA and in the Diaspora only looks after the world as a whole, but the New Year, and the Holy Theophany. We begotten Son, that all who believe in Him after each person individually. especially greet our youth and children, + Jeremiah should not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. And so may the One born in Bethlehem, and all of you God-beloved Christians in the Archbishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox the Lord resting in the manger, spur each of diaspora and in Ukraine. Eparchy of Brazil and South America Out of His great love for His creation, He us on to consider why we live and what May the coming new year be for all of us + Daniel made3:16). this world beautiful. But people path we are following – the straight path of a year of spiritual growth, peace, good Archbishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox often break their unity with God through God, or the crooked path of sin. Faith in health, familial good fortune, and a God- Church in the USA and Western Europe their sinful life and bring misfortune, sick- God calls all of us to battle with all manner blessed year of good fortune for all people ness, and evil into the world. This pandem- of evil and before anything else with our throughout the world. + Ilarion ic, which has shaken the entire world, calls own personal sin. Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church us as Christians to meditate upon our own During these holy days of the Nativity With Archpastoral Blessings, of Canada personal lives. God would not have permit- season let us prayerfully call upon the God- ted this pandemic to attain such world- child Christ – our Saviour – so that He + Yurij + Andriy wide development if it were not a reminder might protect all of us from this terrible Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to all the people of the earth. sickness. Church of Canada of Canada 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

ANALYSIS Public relations and realities of the Belarusian crisis by Grigory Ioffe pending leadership. On December 3, she have been deployed to cleanse the power Parliament, directors of the largest corpo- Eurasia Daily Monitor announced her readiness to lead Belarus structures of opposition-minded people rate enterprises, presidents of Belarusian “during a transitional period.” She pointed and ideas,” observes Mr. Shevtsov. “This universities, and most oblast-level bureau- Popular narrative tropes are not always out that “the Lukashenka regime is falling internal consolidation […] of the political crats take part in these gatherings – alto- accurate predictors of how a story will ulti- apart, and following […] pressure and pro- class of Belarus is the main consequence of gether 2,500 persons. Most probably, Mr. mately develop. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, test, the stage of dialogue will inevitably the failed color revolution [sic] here” Lukashenka wants to become the head of the former presidential hopeful and a per- begin… We all understand,” she stressed, (Facebook.com/yury.shevtsov, December this new-old entity in case he has to aban- son believed by many to have won the “that people from the system will find that 8). Furthermore, he rebukes the weekly don his current function (Naviny, presidential elections of August 9, is widely it makes more sense for them to sit down Sunday street protests steered by Telegram December 8). Second, come December 21, seen as a positive character in the unfold- at the negotiating table than to fight their channels and warns that the demonstra- all overland border crossings except to ing Belarusian drama. Courageous and lik- own people” (Gazeta.ru, December 3). tors are increasingly tiring of these activi- Russia will be closed for exit from Belarus. able, she does her best to rally internation- In contrast to Ms. Tikhanovskaya, ties, which they view as a fruitless game. Although attributed to the pandemic, the al support for the protest movement in her President Lukashenka is broadly castigated “Until they get a new game that is safe for measure is more likely designed to cut back home country. as a dictator associated with electoral fraud society,” Mr. Shevtsov argues, “they will on potential outflows of skilled labor. At the Ms. Tikhanovskaya has already met per- and abuse of human rights, while his public perform protests that are becoming more same time, since the announcement was sonally with six heads of state. And last relations team is deemed a sore loser in the radical and, as is already happening, in made on December 10, it should still allow week (December 10), Israel’s ambassador court of public opinion. And yet, despite some cases, bloody” (Facebook.com/yury. most active members of the protest move- to Lithuania visited her office in Vilnius to months of protests against his rule, Mr. shevtsov, December 12). ment to flee within the remaining 10 days. explain that even though his colleague in Lukashenka remains firmly in control and When it comes to Mr. Lukashenka’s own Leaving via international airports is not Minsk had recently presented his creden- taking steps that look all but certain to activities, two recent developments stand precluded, but with vastly reduced num- tials to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka retain this status quo, while keeping Ms. out. First, spurred on by Moscow’s remind- bers of flights and expensive airfares, this is (Belta, November 24), this did not reflect Tikhanovskaya from achieving her stated ers of his pledge to transition out of power, no medium for mass movement (Tut.by, Israeli support for Mr. Lukashenka’s poli- goals. Mr. Lukashenka opted to assign a constitu- December 10). The border closure may, cies (Nexta, December 10). By all accounts, Some more sophisticated pundits on Mr. tional status to the All-Belarusian People’s thus, pursue the goal of making the country Western leaders are fond of hobnobbing Lukashenka’s side, notably Yury Shevtsov, Assembly, a congress of the political classes more governable. with Ms. Tikhanovskaya, continuously pro- observe that the protest movement has convened once every five years since 1996 fessing her moral stature and ostensibly been largely defeated. “Systemic processes (Belta, December 8). All members of the (Continued on page 14)

Zelenskyy... (Continued from page 1) Some foreign businesses had been weary of her appointment to Mr. Zelenskyy’s administration given her past working with ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and his alleged bag man, Serhiy Kurchenko, in 2010-2014. The Energy Reforms civil society project wrote six years ago that Ms. Kovaliv had in 2007-2010 worked for Gazeks Ukraina, an oil and gas exploration and production company that was controlled by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. She previously worked in Mr. Yanukovych’s Coordination Center for the

Implementation of Economic Reforms. Courtesy of Presidential Office of Ukraine Courtesy of Ministry of Energy of Ukraine From 2013, she sat on the supervisory board of Mr. Kurchenko’s media UMH hold- Yulia Kovaliv Oleg Tatarov Yuriy Vitrenko ing group before being appointed as the first deputy minister of economy and trade The education minister has repeatedly Ministry of Revenue and Duties. In 2014, he jointly with the Kyiv International Institute in then-President Petro Poroshenko’s stated that “there is no plagiarism in my worked as deputy chief of the Main of Sociology found that he was “the biggest administration in June 2015. works…and there are phrases taken out of Investigation Department of SFS Financial disappointment” of the year. Both Messrs. Yanukovych and Kurchenko context.” Investigations, and later headed the depart- Per the latter survey, 28 percent of the are believed to be hiding in Russia and are Evidence of “Mr. Shkarlet’s plagiarism … ment. He also has the rank of colonel of the respondents believed the Ukrainian presi- wanted in Ukraine for various charges rang- appears damning. … If proven true, it tax police, an agency that no longer exists. dent to be the biggest disappointment of ing from treason to embezzlement. should certainly be disqualifying,” Andrew Additionally, former Naftogaz executive the year, whereas four in 10 Ukrainians in The Verkhovna Rada on December 17 D’Anieri, a program assistant at the director Yuriy Vitrenko was named acting the Razumkov poll were disenchanted with confirmed the appointment of Serhiy Washington-based Atlantic Council, wrote energy minister during the same Cabinet him the most. Shkarlet as education and science minis- on December 21. session. Mr. Zelenskyy was elected last year with ter. The move was a promotion for Mr. Another stain in the president’s Cabinet A graduate of the French business uni- a promise to reduce the outsized role oli- Shkarlet, who had been serving as the act- last week came after Parliament confirmed versity INSEAD, Mr. Vitrenko led a success- garchs have played in politics and the econ- ing education and science minister since Roman Leshchenko’s appointment as agri- ful arbitration case against Russia’s omy, and he pledged to clamp down on June. culture minister. The same week, Ukrainian Gazprom while at Naftogaz. He secured a widespread corruption in Ukraine. The academic community, including the media learned that the Kyiv Commercial $2.9 billion award for the state-owned com- Mr. Zelenskyy said that his top priority independent National University of Kyiv- Court accepted a lawsuit that alleges he had pany in a bitter dispute over gas supplies for the coming year is “global” judicial Mohyla Academy, and National Agency for embezzled $430,000 from a Ukrainian from Ukraine’s belligerent neighbor. reform, according to an interview he gave Higher Education Quality Assurance farming company owned by North Dakota After being introduced as the acting to The New York Times on December 16. (NAQA), have opposed his appointment farmer Kurt Jacob Grozhans. energy minister, Mr. Vitrenko said his prior- Surveys conducted by the country’s and accused him of plagiarism. Mr. Leshchenko responded to the allega- ities would be energy security, European three main chambers of commerce, includ- The Education Ministry and Mr. Shkarlet tions by saying he had repaid “all debts to integration and he would work to ensure ing the American Chamber of Commerce, have denied the accusations. the American investor,” Ukraine Business sustainable energy development. have all shown that the public believes A former member of Mr. Yanukovych’s News said in a daily note to the business “I believe that as a priority energy secu- Ukraine’s unruly judiciary is the principal once-ruling Party of the Regions, Mr. community. rity is a component of the country’s nation- bottleneck in stamping out graft in the Shkarlet allegedly plagiarized four academ- At an extraordinary Cabinet session this al security,” he said. country. ic works. In addition, Ukrainian plagiarism week, another official from Mr. As the year draws to a close, numerous “I believe this is important since the resource false-science.ucoz.ua has found Yanukovych’s presidency was appointed to polls show that Mr. Zelenskyy’s social capi- courts are Ukraine’s sore spot, and now that Mr. Shkarlet “not only plagiarized his the government. Vadym Melnyk was named tal and trust from the public have sunk to there is the High Anti-Corruption Court, doctoral dissertation, but [that plagiarism] as the head of the State Fiscal Service (SFS) an all-time low since his inauguration 19 now we’re ‘at war’ with a few judges of the was also systemic…at the Chernihiv in charge of tax and duty collection. months ago. Constitutional Court who seek to destroy National University of Technology, where Until 2013, Mr. Melnyk headed the inves- Two nationwide surveys conducted this the anti-corruption structure in Ukraine. Scarlett worked as rector,” according to tigation department covering particularly month by the Razumkov Center and Ilko They won’t succeed. We will reformat this reporting by the BBC. important cases, and he also worked in the Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation all,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 13

Soyuzivka virtual winter gala

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Ukrainian National Soyuzivka Heritage Center has faced many challenges – “How can Soyuzivka make this up?” Dr. Szeremeta Foundation, a non-profit organization that performs but never as severe as the one this pandemic has creat- asked. “Donor dollars are essential for Soyuzivka to get charitable activities on behalf of the Ukrainian National ed,” said Dr. Szeremeta. through this pandemic. We know times are tough for all. Association, has announced plans for a winter gala cele- This year the pandemic all but silenced the laughter But to whom can we turn, if not our family?” bration that will take place on January 16, 2021. of the 400-plus children who would have participated in “We hope one day soon, to be able to invite you to Plans for the gala – which organizers say will “rekin- Soyuzivka’s summer camp programs. An eerie silence concerts and festivals. We await your children back at dle the magic of Soyuzivka” – include a night filled with replaced the hum of Ukrainian music that streamed camp. In the meantime, please look deep into your virtual performances and testimonials that will bring through the air every summer. Chirping birds substitut- heart and give generously,” he added. the magic of Soyuzivka to your home. ed the chatter of people enjoying each other’s company, The adage is true, he said, “there is no place like “At Soyuzivka, where our Ukrainian heritage is and the dancing stopped. Soyuzivka.” observable in the most visible fashion, we meet many “We must ensure that our children and all of us can Donations can be made online through the Soyuzivka hyphenated Ukrainian Americans,” said Dr. Wasyl continue to come, explore and learn about the unique - Szeremeta, president of the UNF. “All are welcome [at Ukrainian cultural heritage in this beautiful mountain ivka.com/donate, and they can also be mailed to UNF- Soyuzivka]. All feel at home. The Center has been an setting,” Dr. Szeremeta said. UkrainianSoyuzivka, HeritagePO Box 519, Center’s Kerhonkson, new website: NY 12446. www. soyuz important gathering place for countless Ukrainian- He noted that the resort is doing everything possible The board of directors of the UNF include Lydia Americans throughout its 50-plus years of community to sustain operations at a much-reduced occupancy, Chopivsky-Benson, Stefan Kaczaraj, Roma Lisovich, service.” though he said that effort has not been enough. Taras Sochan, Yuriy Symczyk and Valentyna Tabaka. The As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact daily Soyuzivka has lost over $1 million dollars in gross reve- fundraising committee for the gala celebration includes life, UNF officials pointed out that the future has never nue this year, and that revenue will not be recoverable Stephanie Burachinsky, Lydia Chopivky-Benson, Stefko felt so unpredictable. For nonprofits and businesses as all booked events were cancelled for the remainder Drabyk, Larysa Dyrszka, Alexander Gorloff, Sue Hrib, everywhere, plans for sustainability have been replaced of the year. Mr. Szeremeta said that total fixed expenses Lesia Kozicky, Andrew Lazirko, Lara Littlefield, Andrij by strategies for survival. (property taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.) are more than Olesnycky, Alexandra Paslawsky, Nestor Paslawsky and “These are challenging times for us all. Our beloved $500,000 annually. Petrusia Paslawsky. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

and equitable treatment of their invest- NEWSBRIEFS ments in Ukraine and protection from arbi- trary and discriminatory actions due to Belarusian press club’s chief detained; (Continued from page 2) harm,” the PMI statement reads. The com- porarily refrain from traveling to London pany also called AMCU’s actions illegal, offices and homes searched and southeast England. Ukrainians who are illogical and arbitrary. (Interfax Ukraine) where authorities have significantly already in the areas of the U.K. that are Ukraine records 8,513 new COVID-19 cases RFE/RL most affected by COVID-19 are advised to increased their arrests of reporters in be careful, comply with the requirements of On December 22, 8,513 new cases of The head of the Belarusian Press Club, recent months. local authorities and follow information on coronavirus (COVID-19) disease were Yulia Slutskaya, has been detained by police The arrests come as mass protests con- recorded in Ukraine, while 14,020 people in Minsk. Authorities have also searched tinue across the country over a disputed ua/. (Interfax Ukraine) officially recovered on that day and 232 the offices of the independent journalistic presidential election in August. the website https://tripadvisor.mfa.gov. patients died, according to the Health organization and the homes of some of its Election officials in Minsk say incumbent Philip Morris files suit against Ukraine Minister of Ukraine Maksym Stepanov. members. Alyaksandr Lukashenka won a landslide Philip Morris International (PMI) has “Some 8,513 new cases of COVID-19 dis- Ms. Slutskaya’s relatives said on victory. Opposition supporters say the filed a lawsuit for bilateral investment arbi- ease were recorded in Ukraine as of December 22 that she was detained when results were rigged in Mr. Lukashenka’s tration against the government of Ukraine December 22. In particular, 415 children she arrived back in Belarus after a holiday favor. in connection with the decision of the and 368 medical workers fell ill. Some abroad where she had spent time with her Since August, at least 373 journalists Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine 1,318 people were hospitalized, 232 people daughter and grandchildren. The relatives have been arrested in Belarus. At least six (AMCU) to fine them UAH 1.2 billion in the died and 14,020 recovered over the past said they do not know Ms. Slutskaya’s cur- remain in custody. case of the wholesale distributor Tedis day,” Mr. Stepanov wrote on his Facebook rent whereabouts. In October, the Belarusian Foreign Ukraine, according to a press release from page. A day earlier, on December 21, 6,545 Meanwhile, the program director of the Affairs Ministry revoked media accredita- cases of COVID-19 were recorded, 8,325 PMI. “The decision of the committee is a Belarusian Press Club, Ala Sharko, tions from several foreign news organiza- new cases were reported on December 20, clear violation of the investor’s rights. We informed the Belarusian Journalists’ tions in a move widely criticized as an believe that this dispute between the inves- and there were 11,742 cases on December 19, while 12,630 new cases of the disease Association that police stormed into her attempt to stifle reporting about ongoing tor and the state will have an extremely apartment on December 22. anti-government demonstrations. negative impact on the investment attrac- were reported on December 18. There have been 979,506 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ms. Sharko’s lawyer, Syarhey Zikratski, Founded in 2011, the Belarusian Press tiveness of Ukraine, as well as on the coun- says police forced him out when he arrived Club calls itself “a platform for professional try’s reputation as a whole,” said Kostas Ukraine since the beginning of the pandem- ic. Of that number, 16,897 people have died at the apartment during the search opera- development of independent media and Salvaras, the CEO of Philip Morris Ukraine. tion. journalists.” The lawsuit was filed on December 21 in and 600,288 people recovered. The largest The Belarusian Press Club said via its Washington at the International Center for number of confirmed cases on December Instagram account that police also Copyright 2020, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Settlement of Investment Disputes. 22 was registered in Kyiv (1,159), According to PMI, in 2010-2011 the AMCU Dnipropetrovsk (992), Odesa (914) and searched the apartment of Syarhey with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ allowed Tedis to gain control over the Zaporizhia (665). (Interfax Ukraine) Yakupau, the director of the group’s educa- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, tional programs. Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see majority of tobacco wholesalers, but in Documentary on COVID-19 filmed in Ukraine 2019 the same committee decided that The moves come just days after the New https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-slutskaya- PMI’s Ukrainian subsidiaries and other The first full-length documentary film York-based Committee to Protect press-club-chief-detained-offices-homes- global tobacco producers and Tedis collud- about coronavirus in the post-Soviet space Journalists (CPJ) listed Belarus as a country searched/31014067.html?ltflags=mailer) ed for the sake of Tedis’ establishing a was shot in Ukraine. According to a press monopoly on the market. “The committee’s release for the documentary – “COVID- decision violated the rights of PMI compa- nies in accordance with the agreements just over two months to make and was shot tional cases – one of them being Belarus. between the United States and Ukraine and 2019: Exiting the Red Zone” – the film took Public relations... “Belarus is now an area of our intense between Switzerland and Ukraine on a fair (Continued on page 15) (Continued from page 12) competition with Poland, the state that per- haps three or four hundred years ago was Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Vladimir our major enemy. Now, a united Europe Makei met with Western ambassadors in stands behind Poland. [Still,] I really hope Minsk. On the one hand, it was a positive that we have reached that phase of our sign for Belarusian-Western relations that transformation whereby the extremist stip- the meeting took place at all. But on the ulation ‘until Belarus becomes our Western TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 other hand, Mr. Makei repudiated the Federal District, we will not rest in peace’ is or e-mail [email protected] European Union Delegation’s summary of no longer seen as a reasonable political the meeting (Eeas.europa.eu, December 9), course. In fact, it would be counterproduc- SERVICES PROFESSIONALS which, the Belarusian minister asserted, tive,” he declared. was couched in a condescending language Mr. Lukyanov characterized Moscow’s of a wannabe mentor (Tut.by, December ОКСАНА СТАНЬКО 10). Lukashenka is not an option, but there is no Ліцензований продавець Страхування Життя Despite the fact that Mr. Makei’s boss, alternativeeffort in Belarus to rely on.as a zugzwang: Yes, Mr. OKSANA STANKO President Lukashenka, depends on Russia “Now, it is necessary to have an accurate Licensed Life Insurance Agent much more than on the West, he still has understanding of what exactly is happening Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. not moved to release jailed former presi- in Belarus – not even so much in society as dential aspirant Victor Babariko. His some- in the ruling conglomerate. If there is such Tel.: 908-872-2192 what opaque links to Russian state-owned an understanding, it will become clear email: [email protected] energy interests notwithstanding (see what room for maneuver we have,” the EDM, May 19), at least until recently Mr. Russian commentator concluded Babariko was Belarus’s most popular poli- (Moskovsky Komsomolets, December 8). HELP WANTED МАРІЯ ДРИЧ tician. A recent interview with Feodor One can construe Mr. Lukyanov’s words Ліцензований Продавець Lukyanov provides a rare glimpse into as an allusion to the Russian government’s Moscow’s current stance. Mr. Lukyanov, current preoccupation. Presumably, Dental Receptionist wanted Страхування Життя after all, is one of Russia’s most trusted Moscow is busy navigating its multiple Join our award winning team! МАRІA DRICH Work at a beautiful place with Licensed Life Insurance Agent political commentators who is also close to channels in the corridors of power in Minsk positive energy. Great opportunity Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Lukyanov in search of a top-down solution to the believes that Moscow’s struggle for blanket Belarusian crisis. Within several months, for professional growth! Training on 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 site. 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since 2014 the law enforcement agencies of burdensome requirements” on RFE/RL’s Roskomnadzor would be allowed to partial- NEWSBRIEFS Ukraine and the prosecutor’s office have operations in Russia as well as on VOA’s. ly, fully restrict, or slow access to websites been recording and investigating crimes “We’ve condemned it. We’ve also imposed found in violation of the law. The bill is seen (Continued from page 14) committed in the occupied territories of enormous sanctions on Russia for other ele- affecting major social-media websites such in the genre of an “expedition film.” The Ukraine. They have currently documented ments of their malign activity,” Pompeo said. as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. The plot is based on the stories of 65 people, more than 20,000 crimes, including war “We hope that the rest of the world will join State Duma also approved a bill on intro- including medical workers, volunteers, crimes and crimes against humanity. us in this. We hope that those nations that ducing jail terms for people found guilty of ambulance drivers, entrepreneurs, employ- Executive Director of the International value the freedom of press, who want inde- making slanderous comments on the ees, as well as patients and relatives of Renaissance Foundation Oleksandr Sushko pendent reporters to be able to ask ques- Internet or in the media. All of the bills patients with COVID-19. The film crew vis- added that the creation of such a portal tions, even if sometimes leaders don’t like approved on December 23 must still be ited 15 reference hospitals working with would allow Ukraine to more systematical- them, will join with us.” The State Duma also approved by the parliament’s upper cham- COVID-19 patients, as well as three inten- ly convey information about crimes and approved in a final reading on December 23 ber, the Federation Council, before they are sive care units, where critically ill patients incidents in the occupied territories to the a bill that would allow the state media regu- endorsed into law by President Vladimir with serious complications were treated. international community. “The materials of lator, Roskomnadzor, to block websites that Putin. (RFE/RL, with reporting by TASS and Shooting took place in Kyiv, Kramatorsk, the prosecutor’s office [in the Autonomous “discriminate against Russian media.” Interfax) Kryvy Rih, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa and Republic of Crimea] have documented Cherkasy. (Interfax Ukraine) abductions, torture, persecution, hundreds Zelenskyy on U.S.-Ukraine relationship numerousof illegal searchescrimes: premeditated and detentions killings, of Lubomyr O. Hewko Ukrainian President Volodymyr Ukrainian citizens on racial, religious and Zelenskyy is convinced that Ukrainian- political grounds. Therefore, it is very May 22, 1929 – December 3, 2020 important that society has the opportunity American relations can be strengthened With deep sorrow we announce thanks to newly elected U.S. President Joe to obtain objective information of events in Crimea after the occupation, to know the that Lubomyr O. Hewko, 91, died on Biden’s deep relations with Ukraine before December 3, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was an his presidency, the press service of the truth about the real situation with human extraordinary person, wonderful husband, father and Ukrainian president’s office said. rights and in relation to other areas that grandfather. His deep devotion to family, decades- “President-elect Joe Biden … even before were influenced by the occupation, in par- long involvement in Ukrainian-American cultural, his presidency he had, so to speak, deep ticular, the protection of cultural heritage, educational and civic affairs, and many service activities in every community relations with Ukraine and understands ecology, the militarization of the peninsula, in which he lived, have left a legacy that touched the lives of many. Russians well, understands the difference appropriation of public and private proper- between Ukraine and Russia well and I ty, etc.,” said Ihor Ponochovny, the head of Lubomyr was born on May 22, 1929, the son of Dmytro Hewko and think understands the mentality of the prosecutor’s office of the ARC and the Maria Dziuban. During World War II, his family fled Ukraine in the face Ukrainians well. This will greatly help city of Sevastopol. (Interfax Ukraine) of the advancing Soviet army. He then spent four years in displaced persons camps in southern Germany, before coming to the United States strengthen these relations and give a boost Russia further limits press, work of NGOs to the settlement of the issue of the war in in the fall of 1949 at the age of 20. Donbas and the de-occupation of our terri- The Russian parliament’s lower chamber Lubomyr graduated in 1947 from the Ukrainian Real Gymnasium in tories. I think the U.S. can add a lot to that,” has approved several controversial bills that the displaced persons camp in Mittenwald, Germany, and received his Mr. Zelenskyy said in an interview with The human rights watchdogs and the opposition B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University and a M.S. in New York Times. According to Mr. have said undermine democratic processes. Engineering from the University of Michigan. In 1956, he married Natalie Zelenskyy, residents of the United States Among the legislation approved by the State Osidach, the love of his life, who passed away in July 2020, just a few themselves will not allow anti-Ukrainian Duma on December 23 was a series of weeks before they would have celebrated 64 years of marriage. rhetoric from anyone who represents the amendments to the controversial law on American government. “America is actually “foreign agents” that requires organizations He was an engineer with General Motors for 37 years. He began his showing its support, and we are grateful for that have received the designation to report career in 1955 at the GM Research Laboratories in Warren, Michigan; in the sanctions policy – it is serious. Both the their activities and face financial audits. The 1966 he was transferred to New Departure-Hyatt Bearings, a GM Division Crimean sanctions and Nord Stream were changes expand the scope of individuals located in Sandusky, Ohio. He returned to the GM Research Laboratories in strategically important for us. And it was and groups that can be designated “foreign 1978 before retiring in 1992 and establishing his own consulting business. very difficult,” the Ukrainian president said. agents,” introduce new restrictions and reg- During his career at GM, he was involved in research on, and design With regard to Nord Stream, the United istration and reporting requirements, and of, several experimental transmissions for passenger car and military States “played the key role here,” Mr. oblige the media to note the designation applications, including infinitely-variable-ratio transmissions, powertrains Zelenskyy said. “So, I have to thank the whenever they mention these individuals or for experimental gas turbine engines and friction drive transmissions. United States and the Trump administra- groups. The new law says individuals, During his later years at GM, he focused on hybrid and other advanced tion for that. I am grateful that Ukraine has including foreign journalists, involved in automotive powertrains and automotive energy storage systems become a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Russia’s political developments or collecting for hybrid vehicles. He held 24 patents, published over 30 technical Partner, for all the sanctions against Russia, materials and data related to Russia’s papers, and wrote over 60 research reports, technical memoranda and and for training with NATO. Our relation- defense or national security issues must be internal GM publications. He also served on a number of national and ship does not end. As for the economy, I included on the list of foreign agents. It also international technical committees and governmental advisory panels. think that these relations were not says that individuals labeled as “foreign enough,” the president said. Mr. Zelenskyy agents” would be banned from joining the Lubomyr was very active in numerous organizations in the Ukrainian- added that Mr. Biden’s messages regarding civil service or holding a municipal govern- American community, particularly Plast and the “Chornomortsi” where he the concept of a global strategic vision of ment position, while forcing them to mark continued as a member and leader into his 80s. He was also a member in security in Europe are important for their letters to authorities and other materi- the Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America and the Shevchenko Scientific Ukraine. “Because if we talk about security al with a “foreign agent” label. Last month, Society and held a variety of leadership positions in both organizations. in Europe, the only war in Europe today is Amnesty International slammed the pro- He was a dedicated Rotarian and President of the Clarkston, Michigan the war in Donbas. This is a war, a war of posed legislation saying it would “drastical- Rotary Club; and a member of the Planning Commission and Zoning Ukraine,” he said. (Interfax Ukraine) ly limit and damage the work not only of Board of Appeals of Independence Township, Michigan. He was civil society organizations that receive funds Internet portal will document crimes in Donbas particularly proud of the work he did in helping establish the first Rotary from outside Russia but many other groups club in Kyiv after the fall of the Soviet Union and in organizing two major The office of the president of Ukraine in as well.” Another bill related to “foreign Rotary missions to supply medical equipment and services to Ukraine the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC), agents” and approved on December 23 lays and one to help the victims of the Chernobyl tragedy. the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office, out a punishment of up to five years in pris- the Ukrainian Center of National Remem­ on for individuals or organizations labeled For Lubomyr it was not about getting the credit, but about helping brance, the International Renaissance as foreign agents who fail to inform official others and getting the job done. Service to others was his way of thanking Foundation and the Prometheus entities about their status, and/or refuse to the country that welcomed him as a refugee. He will be remembered for Environmental Security Research Center report their activities to Russian authorities. his warmth, compassion, organizational abilities and loyalty and will be signed a memorandum of cooperation that The “foreign agent” law, originally passed in deeply missed by his family and friends. provides for the creation of an Internet por- 2012, requires designated organizations to He is she is survived by his three children, Marc (Lisa McDonald), tal to document the facts regarding crimes report their activities and face financial Annetta (Michael Simpson) and John (Margarita) Hewko, and five committed in the occupied territories of audits. Critics say the law has been arbi- grandchildren, Eugene and Iryna Simpson, Timothy and Andrew Hewko, Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk trarily applied to target Russian civil society and Maria Hewko; as well as family in the US, Ukraine and Poland. regions. “Everyone’s right to know the organizations, human rights defenders, and truth about the events of the occupation of political activists, including outspoken Due to the COVID crisis, funeral services were held for the immediate Crimea is, of course, one of the most impor- Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny’s Anti- family on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian tant and mandatory elements of our work Corruption Foundation. A further measure Catholic Church in Warren, Michigan. Interment was at the Holy Sepulchre in this direction,” said permanent represen- designating foreign-funded media as “for- Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan. The family will hold a celebration of his tative of the president of Ukraine in the eign agents” was adopted in 2017, under life, and that of his wife Natalie, once the current health crisis has passed. ARC Anton Korynevych, according to the which Russia’s Justice Ministry listed sever- Those who wish to remember Lubomyr in a special way may make press service of the office of the president al services of Radio Free Europe/Radio gifts to the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) to support of Ukraine. It is envisaged that the portal Liberty, Current Time, and Voice of America the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. Donations can be made online will publish a variety of data, including eye- (VOA) as “foreign agents.” Current Time is at www.ucef.org or by mail to UCEF, 2247 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, witness accounts, archival sources, media the Russian-language network led by RFE/ Illinois 60622. Please note that any contributions are in memory of information, decisions and resolutions of RL in cooperation with VOA. U.S. Secretary Lubomyr Hewko. international organizations, photos and of State Michael Pompeo in August warned videos. Deputy Prosecutor General of that the upcoming amendments to the law May his memory be eternal. Ukraine Gunduz Mammedov recalled that on “foreign agents” would “impose new 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

The Executive Сommittee of the Ukrainian National Association and its newspapers, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly,

extend best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the leaders of Ukrainian Churches, Ukrainian organizations, the UNA General Assembly, District Committees, Branches and members, readers of the UNA’s publications, as well as Ukrainian communities in the diaspora and Ukraine.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him! No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

Радісних Свят Різдва Христового і Merry Christmas Щасливого Нового Року and a Happy New Year родині, приятелям, знайомим, Головному Урядові УНСоюзу, to family and friends, працівникам та всім секретарям Відділів members of the UNA General Assembly, щиро бажають Branch Secretaries, and all UNA employees.

СТЕФАН і СВЯТОСЛАВА Yuriy and Nataliya Symczyk КАЧАРАЇ з родиною with children Victoria and Diana

З Різдвом Христовим, Wishing everyone З Новим Роком i Святим Йорданом! a Joyous Christmas Рідних, приятелів і друзів поблагослови, Боже, and a здоров’ям, радістю, любов’ю, добром – зичать Happy New Year! ФЕРЕНЦЕВИЧІ Христина, Ксеня, Тарас, Люба, Лев, Ярина з чоловіком Адріяном та синами Irene Jarosewich with husband Oleksandr Доріяном і Юліяном Ланспері.

З Різдвом Христовим Головна Управа „Самопоміч“ і Новим Роком Об’єднання Українців в Америці пересилаю сердечні поздоровлення усім моїм друзям, приятелям та знайомим, вітає усьому дорогому українському народові Відділи і все членство в Україні та у всьому світі. з прийдешніми Святами Бажаю кріпкого здоров’я, щастя, сили та Божого благословення у праці на добро і бажає і процвітання рідної України. Веселих Свят Різдва Xристового МИРОСЛАВА МИРОШНИЧЕНКО та щасливого і повного успіхів Нового Року KРАЙОВА УПРАВА СПІЛКИ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ МОЛОДІ В АМЕРИЦІ бажає ХРИСТОС РОЖДАЄТЬСЯ! Ієрархам Українських Церков, Світовій Управі СУМ, всім Управам Осередків та Булавам Відділів Юнацтва СУМ, членам і прихильникам та Українському Народові в Україні і в діяспорі мирних і радісних свят РІЗДВА ХРИСТОВОГО та ЩАСЛИВОГО НОВОГО РОКУ ХРИСТОС РОЖДАЄТЬСЯ! СЛАВІМ ЙОГО!

За Крайову Управу СУМ, Адріян Длябога - Голов а Оля Тимош - Секретар No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 19

Наукове Toвариство ім. Шевченка в Америці

б а ж а є українській громаді радісних свят Різдва Христового, доброго і успішного Нового 2021 року

Warmest Wishes for a Joyous Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year to all our Members, their Families and our Friends from the Board of Directors of the Христос родився! Ukrainian Institute of America

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СТАНИЧНА СТАРШИНА ПЛАСТОВОЇ СТАНИЦІ Федеральна Кредитова Кооператива СУМА в Йонкерсі, Н. Й. В НЬЮ-ЙОРКУ разом зі своїми філіями бажає вітає УКРАЇНСЬКІЙ ГРОМАДІ, ПЛАСТОВІЙ ФУНДАЦІЇ, Всіх своїх шановних членів, приятелів та українську громаду СВОЇМ ЖЕРТВОДАВЦЯМ ТА УСІМ ПЛАСТУНАМ І в Йонкерсі, Н. Й., Спрінґ Валі, Н. Й., Стемфорді, Кон., ПРИЯТЕЛЯМ ПЛАСТУ Ню-Гейвені, Кон., та околицях

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krainian ro PortS Pdate aralymPicS by U P S U : P Ihor N. Stelmach

Ukrainian Romanchuk sets unofficial world record The Fall 2020 issue of Sports Illustrated fea- drove a car behind him, providing protection from tured Ukrainian Daniel Romanchuk in its passing vehicles. Scorecard’s Faces in the Crowd section. The It was his fourth marathon-distance workout in 22-year-old Paralympian, who has spina bifida, eight weeks, not abnormal for elite wheelchair was acknowledged for setting an unofficial world marathoners. In a normal fall season, racers can record for a wheelchair racer with his time of hit three marathon majors in a span of some six weeks. Romanchuk’s training will adjust as he New York City Marathon in October 2020. This prepares for another odd, potentially very busy achievement1:13:57 seconds, came covering on the 26.2 heels miles of his at thebecoming virtual year of racing in 2021. The postponed Paralympic the youngest winner of the Boston Marathon’s Games come up in August 2021, along with all wheelchair division in 2019, which he followed up marathon majors (except Boston) in the second with additional victories in London, Chicago and half of the year. This could mean seven races for New York. Romanchuk and others in a very short time span. Romanchuk was using the virtual race as a Even though he broke a record, Romanchuk training run, but unexpectedly went off on a has set his sights on pushing his limits farther. record pace on a straight, flat surface. The official “Honestly, this goes down to my general view on records and things like that,” he told Runners Heinz Frei in 1999. World in an October 28 interview with this worldThis record year, October was 1:20:14 22 was seconds, a clear dayset byjust Swiss out- author. “I view records as limits to be pushed, not side of Champaign, Ill. He took off on farm roads something to be owned. At the end of the day, Wikipedia.com/Gr5555 with his Polar and Garmin GPS trackers set, a someone else is going to come along and they’re Daniel Romanchuk, who set an unofficial world record in wheelchair mostly straight, north-south course he had com- going to be faster, and that’s great because it division of the 2020 New York Marathon (virtual), in a photo from the pleted several times prior. His mother, Kimberly, means the sport is progressing.” 2019 Boston Marathon.

SPORTSSHORTS

BOXING the Int’l Boxing Hall of Fame) has for box- 2021. The former heavyweight champion Lou Lamoriello, who took over as Toronto’s ing. All of the champions feel so honored of the world capped a (134-6, 65 KO) ama- general manager in July 2018 and oversaw Wladimir Klitschko elected to Hall of Fame and blessed to be in the Hall of Fame. It’s teur career by winning super heavyweight Timashov’s development. The Ukrainian is “Thank you for the great news. It is an amazing.” This was Wladimir Klitschko’s gold at the 1996 Olympic Games. He turned expected to agree to a two-way contract honor to be a Hall of Famer. I’m so official response on December 15 upon get- pro the same year in Germany and won his with the Islanders before training camp. impressed with the dedication and passion ting the news of his election to the first 24 bouts before losing to Ross Purrity. the Village of Canastota (New York home of International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of He rebounded to defeat Chris Byrd for the BASKETBALL WBO heavyweight title and in 2006 Kuzma inks three-year $40M deal with Lakers stopped Byrd again for the IBF/IBO titles to begin a most dominant nine-year title reign The buzz around the NBA was the Los which included 18 successful defenses. Angeles Lakers were testing out the trade Nicknamed “Dr. Steelhammer,” the market for Kyle Kuzma in an effort to see Ukrainian was heavyweight champion lon- what the young forward might bring them ger than anyone in boxing history (12 in their quest to repeat as champions. years, two days), finishing with a pro Instead, the Lakers inked the Ukrainian (on record of (64-5, 53 KO). his mother Karri’s side) to a three-year, $40 million contract with a player option in the HOCKEY final year. “It is especially gratifying for our Islanders land Timashov Lakers franchise to draft, develop and now sign one of our own to a contract exten- Not able to reach a contract agreement sion,” said Lakers General Manager Rob with restricted free-agent Dmytro Pelinka in a press release on December 20. Timashov, the Detroit Red Wings traded “Kyle has shown tremendous growth over the 24-year-old forward’s rights to the New the last three years and played a crucial York Islanders on December 11 in role on last season’s championship team.” exchange for future considerations. Detroit The deal was somewhat surprising given had claimed the young Ukrainian off waiv- that Kuzma was rumored to be asking for a ers from the Toronto Maple Leafs late in the lot more money. The contract is viewed as 2019-2020 season. He had no points in five tradeable should the Lakers decide to go games with Detroit, but made a favorable that route since Kuzma is arguably their impression with his physical play despite most tradeable asset. For now, he is a most his modest size (5-foot-10, 192 pounds). solid role player off the bench, although he Timashov has dressed in 44 NHL games did start in three preseason games. He with four goals and five assists, all tallied averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds a while with Toronto. He was a member of game last season in 25 minutes per night. the AHL Calder Cup champion Toronto Even though he doesn’t stretch the floor as Marlies in 2018 and was drafted by the a shooter, his athleticism allows him to be a Leafs in the fifth round of the NHL Entry finisher in transition or get to the rim in the Draft in 2015. He likely fits as a bottom-six forward with the Isles based on scouting half-court. Kuzma lacks no confidence – reports noting his responsible defensive when he makes consistently good decisions game, displaying solid skating and play- he is a major plus for the Los Angeles making abilities. Timashov is a well-known Lakers. commodity in the eyes of General Manager Compiled by Ihor Stelmach. The Ukrainian Weekly on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ Like TheUkrainianWeekly Love No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 21 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 No. 52-1

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be pleased, but Mr. Putin is probably This has been acknowledged by virtual- lack of military involvement in Donbas. In Putin threatens... happy enough to retain the status quo, ly all the main Russian or pro-Russian mil- July 2014, it made sure to strictly limit the (Continued from page 3) with the conflict in Donbas destabilizing itants. Sometimes they use euphemistic scope of the OSCE Observer Mission at Ukraine, while raising a new generation phrases, like Alexander Borodai’s explana- Russian checkpoints Gukovo and Starting from April 2019, the Kremlin being fed on pro-Russian, anti-Ukrainian tion of what they owe to Mr. Putin’s “deci- [Russian-occupied] Donetsk. This mission has made it easy for Ukrainians, first in propaganda. With no free press and with sions and actions.” Others are blunter, like has been issuing reports ever since about occupied Donbas, then anywhere in it dangerous to in any way express pro- neo-Nazi fighter Alexander Zhuchkovsky. the very limited area that it has been man- Donbas, to obtain Russian citizenship. Ukrainian views, there is little to counter Back in August 2014, when the dated to monitor. This has been internationally recognized the propaganda that children are being Ukrainian Army seemed on the point of Drones have, fortunately, proven hard- as a further hostile act against Ukraine, subjected to. Russia’s claim to have noth- defeating the militants, Moscow was seen er to mandate, and the OSCE Special though one that appears to have largely ing to do with this is hardly credible and filmed sending vast amounts of mili- Monitoring Mission fairly regularly backfired, with the popularity for such when exactly the same methods of indoc- tary hardware and men to Donbas. The reports sightings of Russian military illegal passports far lower than they had trination are being applied in occupied first Russian military deaths were report- trucks travelling across the border into or predicted. Donbas and Crimea. ed by independent media shortly after- from militant-controlled Donbas by dirt Russia has never formally recognized Russia is, undoubtedly, financially prop- wards, though Mr. Putin fairly swiftly roads at night. Such sightings have only the supposed “republics” that it controls, ping up the so-called leadership of these issued a decree and then other measures hit the headlines when the militants and, despite the issuing of passports, unrecognized “republics,” as well as send- to conceal Russia’s undeclared warfare shoot down the drones, though there is does not seem to plan to do so. If it can ing its people to fill certain important against Ukraine. no good explanation for travelling by manage to push through “elections” and posts. The main “support,” however, in In general, Russia has taken measures night in this way unless you have some- install Russia-loyal functionaries, it will 2014 and since then has been military. to maintain its fiction regarding supposed thing to hide. No. 52-1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 3, 2021 23

of the Danaids [of Greek mythology]. Prime hierarchs... In the blessed life of the Church does (Continued from page 7) not bloom no practical “intricacies,” nor turning of theology to the sophistic and In commitment and mercy, on the blinding “art of speech.” December 15, 2020, we celebrate the two- Your Beatitude’s presence at the December 29 Webinar with the Revs. John Charest, Taras Naumenko, year anniversary of the creation of the Phanar remains unforgettable in our Online Volodymyr Yavorivskyi and Dobrodyika Ginny Yavorivskyi, Orthodox Church of Ukraine during the memory and your expressions of rever- “Youth Ministry: Ideas that Work! Parishes That Are Making Unification Council in Kyiv, with participa- ence for the Mother Church of Youth Ministry and COVID Work,” Ukrainian Orthodox tion of clergy and laity, which was con- Constantinople, and to our modest indi- Church of the U.S.A., Office of Youth and Young Adult vened in our humility for the selection of a viduals, when we presented to you the Ministry, www.uocyouth.org prime hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Tomos of Autocephaly, on the name day of Ukraine, and the approval of its the angel of Epifaniy with our humility in January 14 Online youth camp experience, “ASC & Me,” All Saints Camp, Constitution. From then and following the June of last year. Online www.uocyouth.org presentation of the Tomos of Autocephaly We feel especially joyous in uniting at the Phanar on January 6, 2019, and through the laying on of hands in the con- January 16 Free Virtual Winter Gala, “Rekindle the Magic of Soyuzivka,” your selection as head of the Orthodox secration of our exarch in Kyiv, Bishop Online Soyzuvka Ukrainian Heritage Center, hosted via Facebook, Church of Ukraine is a testimony about the Mikhail (Onyshchenko), with an official www.soyuzivka.com or https://www.facebook.com/soyuzivka Orthodox faith, which the unified delegation from the Orthodox Church of Orthodox Church of Ukraine on the terri- Ukraine in attendance. We love the Bishop January 26 Webinar and book launch, “The Cold War in Val-d’Or, a tory of the Ukrainian state, with your love of Comana, who is very respectful to mem- Online History of the Ukrainian Community in Val-d’Or, Quebec,” of God and love of humanity, prudence bers of the Patriarchal Court, both hier- by Myron Momryk, Ukrainian Genealogy Group, and active leadership. archs from our side and, assuredly, from https://meeting.zoho.com/meeting/register?sessionId=1041 I greet you, my blessed brother, which your side as well. 432510 was done in a short period of time for We are anticipating with joy meeting Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events such a weighty Church matter, with excel- with Your Beatitude in 2021 in Kyiv dur- advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions lent management of Church affairs, in col- ing our visit to Ukraine on the occasion of from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors laboration with the government for all the the 30th anniversary of its independence and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. good Ukrainian people, as well as with the at the invitation of His Excellency initiative and action during the dangerous President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of time of the pandemic, while addressing Ukraine. We had an opportunity to wel- He drew criticism from Russians, opposition to its social consequences and come the esteemed president at the Turning... Belarusians, Ukrainians and Kazakhs in his consolation of believers. You are steadfast Phanar and discuss current questions in latter days, after he promoted a Slavic in your ministry to the people of God, an atmosphere of beautiful cooperation. (Continued from page 6) revival based on Russian Orthodoxy, and remaining steadfastly faithful in dogmatic We were further encouraged by the recent The New York Times and other American his public statements fanned the flames of and canonical traditions of the Church and visit here by Ukraine’s Prime Minister newspapers. Russian chauvinism, nostalgic for the days sensitive and caring to the existential Denys Shmyhal during the patronal feast By February 1974, the author was of the Russian Empire. He also angered needs of your spiritual children, always of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, after arrested, stripped of his Soviet citizenship Ukrainians (he was ethnically Ukrainian on orientating toward the eternal signposts which we were able with sincerity and in a and deported, eventually settling in the U.S. his mother’s side) when he denied the of Christ. We praise the Head and Creator fruitful atmosphere to exchange thoughts. genocidal nature of the Holodomor of of our faith, our eternal Savior of the In the 1980s he refused Mikhail Blessed Master, Gorbachev’s offer to reinstate his Soviet cit- 1932-1933 that killed millions. world, Who has bestowed the Church to We remain unshaken in our faith in izenship, though in 1994 he did return to Source: “Solzhenitsyn exposes Soviet ter- Your Beatitude, his devotee in soul and God’s Providence and His life-giving live in Russia. He died of heart failure in ror system,” The Ukrainian Weekly, January body, to His priestly mission, a person of mercy, which heals the weak and replen- Moscow in 2008 at the age of 89. 5, 1974. the Church, who likewise fights for the ishes the exhausted. We lift our prayers to unity and strength of Orthodoxy. the glorious Lord for strengthening the Your personality and your worthy con- service of the Mother Church, and we ask tribution in the functionality of the Church you to pass along to the Ukrainian people life of Ukraine, as well as your sincere of God our humble wishes and all those at interest in the unity of Orthodoxy, marked the Phanar, who day and night preserve by the measured contribution of the rec- the tradition passed down from the ognition of autocephaly and your selection Fathers. Therefore, we pray that the Son as head of the Church and the inclusion of and Word of God, Who became incarnate your name in the Church’s diptychs by His in the flesh for us, grant you good health Beatitude Archbishop of Athens and all and blessings in furthering your work as Greece Ierynomos, the Patriarch of primate, for the good of the Church of Alexandria Theodore and Archbishop of Ukraine and all Orthodoxy, and a strength- Cyprus Chrysostomos. We are confident ening holy kiss we give to you, with that other Orthodox Primates will follow respect and send deep love in the Lord. suit, which will definitely contribute to the Your blessed and dearly beloved broth- unity of Orthodoxy. Ukrainian autocephaly er in Christ, is a canonical fact, which cannot be changed. Countering this truth are foreign +Bartholomew, interests, which do not “lead to good,” but Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople leads to the inevitable filling of the barrel Constantinople, December 14, 2020

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