Clevelanders commemorate anniversary of famine (12/06/98)

THE 65th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT FAMINE

Clevelanders commemorate anniversary of famine

PARMA, Ohio - The Ukrainian community of Greater Cleveland solemnly commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Great Famine in Ukraine with a memorial service on Sunday, November 8, at the Famine monument here on the grounds of St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.

The divine liturgies at St. Vladimir's Cathedral and St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, both located on State Road in Parma, were scheduled to conclude simultaneously. Following the liturgy at St. Josaphat's, the Parma police blocked a portion of the street and led a procession the four blocks to St. Vladimir's Cathedral.

Leading the procession were Bishop Robert Moskal, Bishop Vasyl Medvit of Kyiv and clergy, followed by parishioners and representatives of Ukrainian organizations. At St. Vladimir's Cathedral they were met by the clergy and faithful, and proceeded to the Famine monument. At the monument, two bishops, eight priests, two deacons and hundreds of faithful held a memorial service for the millions of innocent victims of Stalin's forced collectivization and genocidal famine.

Bishop Moskal and the Rev. John Nakonachny, pastor of St. Vladimir's, spoke of the significance of the remembrance. Also participating with messages were Bishop Medvit and the Rev. Hegumen Dmytrii of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate.

Choirs from both cathedrals, together with members of the Dnipro choir, participated in the memorial service, as well as in the commemorative program that followed at St. Vladimir's Parish Center.

The Famine commemoration was organized by the United Ukrainian Organizations of Greater Cleveland.

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