72nd anniversary of Famine-Genocide marked in New York (11/27/05)

72nd anniversary of Famine-Genocide marked in New York

by Tamara Gallo-Olexy
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America

NEW YORK - The annual national observance to commemorate the anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine Genocide of 1932-1933 was held on Saturday, November 19, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

The program began with a moving introduction by Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., who described the recollections of an elderly Famine survivor and her guilt at having survived such an atrocity. He underscored how necessary it is to inform everyone about the atrocities in Ukraine in 1932-1933.

"Not only did her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, but also her fellow parishioners, her neighbors, her community - all became abundantly aware of not only how precious and holy God-given life is, but also how easily people can be led astray, how easily they can succumb to the demagoguery of one considered to be a "great" leader, how easily the life - in particular the life of those not in favor - can be devalued," Archbishop Antony said.

Cardinal Edward Egan of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York also paid homage to the Famine's victims. He noted that St. Patrick's Cathedral welcomes all "to commemorate this tragedy of the Ukrainian people."

Bishop Basil Losten of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and Archbishop Antony then proceeded to concelebrate an ecumenical requiem service (panakhyda) for the repose of the souls of the genocide victims. The Dumka Chorus of New York, under the direction of Vasyl Hrechinsky, sang responses to the service.

Following the requiem prayer, Michael Sawkiw Jr., president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, provided brief introductory remarks on the 72nd anniversary of the Famine-Genocide. "It came at a time of no known natural calamity, pestilence, or drought," stated Mr. Sawkiw. "It came at a time of supposed peace between the two world wars...But it also came at a time of subjugation of a tyrannical empire over the freedom-loving Ukrainian nation."

Ambassador Valeriy Kuchinsky, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations delivered remarks from President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine. In his statement the Ukrainian president expressed "special words of gratitude to the American nation, which was the first to recognize the terrible consequences of the Holodomor of 1932-1933. I hope that this tragedy will be recognized also by the entire international community."

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Hennadii Udovenko also participated in the program and addressed those gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral. He mentioned the first anniversary of the Orange Revolution and how the Ukrainian nation awoke to become the master of its own fate. Much like President Yushchenko, Mr. Udovenko cordially thanked "the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States for its strong position to attract U.S. and worldwide attention to this awful tragedy of the Ukrainian people."

President George Bush also sent a message to the annual commemorative event, which was read by the UCCA president.

Mr. Sawkiw also informed those gathering that the House of Representatives had unanimously approved a bill authorizing the construction of a monument to the victims of the Ukrainian Genocide on federal land in the District of Columbia. The memorial is to be constructed by 2008 - the 75th anniversary of the Famine-Genocide.

He then proceeded to read excerpts of remarks by Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, and sponsor of the bill authorizing the memorial's construction. "This legislation is important for all of humanity," stated Rep. Levin in remarks in the House. "It is very important to the 1.5 million Ukrainian Americans ... it has special meaning to the people of Ukraine who have embarked on a courageous effort to build a free, democratic, open society, and indeed to all of us who value freedom."

Of particular interest were remarks delivered by Nigel Colley, grandnephew of Gareth Jones, a Welsh journalist who exposed the true nature of the genocidal Famine in Ukraine in 1932-1933. "To the list of the millions of Ukrainian peasants who lost their lives due to Stalin's man-made Famine," Mr. Colley stated, "the name of the only Welshman, my great uncle, Gareth Jones, should perhaps now be added." He noted that newly discovered evidence at the British Public Records Office "points the finger of blame for Gareth's murder in 1935 in the direction of Moscow, quite probably in retribution for his international exposure of the Holodomor."

Mr. Colley said Jones' only crime was his "dogged pursuit of truth." Mr. Colley recounted Jones' travels throughout Ukraine and how he had witnessed and documented the genocide being perpetrated against the people of Ukraine.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York issued an executive proclamation in remembrance of the victims of the Ukrainian Genocide. Excerpts from the text were read by Mr. Sawkiw.

Bishop Losten concluded the commemorative ceremony by thanking all the participants and expressing his hope that the world will never forget about the horrors the Ukrainian nation suffered because of who they were.

"A Prayer for Ukraine" was sung by the Dumka Chorus to conclude the program.

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