NORTH PORT, Fla. – The Ukrainian American community of southwest Florida joined Ukrainians around the world in commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 by lighting a Candle of Remembrance on October 4, before the entrance to St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port.
From September 1 to November 24, Candles of Remembrance are being lighted by Ukrainians around the world in memory of the innocent victims of the genocidal famine created by Joseph Stalin and his regime.
Roman Czajkowskyj, head of the Florida chapter of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness, opened the commemoration by lighting the first candle, to be followed by all present. Members of Ukrainian American organizations then read the names of 85 children, ranging in age from 2 months to 14 years, who died from starvation in 1933 in Luhansk region.
A requiem service for Holodomor victims was led by the Revs. Vasyl Petriv, Ivan Fatenko and Oleh Saciuk. At the end, all present sang “God Hear our Prayerful Request” and the Ukrainian national anthem.
Fathers Oleh Saciuk, Vasyl Petriv and Ivan Fatenko lead the prayers.
Further commemoration of the Ukrainian Genocide will be held on November 1, at North Port City Hall, where a proclamation will be presented designating November 24, 2018, as Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Remembrance Day.
A commemorative concert titled “An Artistic Tribute” will take place on November 17 in Venice and will feature performances by renowned Ukrainian artists: violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv, pianist Volodymyr Vynnytskyj, cellist Natalia Khoma, soprano Zoya Roszko, baritone Oleh Chmyr and the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America.
Organizers of the events are Mr. Czajkowskyj, Nellia Lechman, Vira Bodnaruk, Daria Tomashoky, Lesia Popel, Katia Steciuk, Bohdan Bodnaruk and Chrystyna Czajkowskyj.