BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – Initiated by the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago, in cooperation with St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Bloomingdale, Ill., the Ukrainian community of Chicago and Illinois suburbs, children of the St. Andrew Ukrainian School and parishioners of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral gathered on Saturday, October 12, to honor the heroic service and sacrifices of Ukrainians who protected the people of Ukraine throughout history and in its current struggle against Russian aggression.
Since the 12th century, the Mother of God as an intercessor, patron and protector of Ukrainians has been established in Ukrainian history. Kings, princes, Kozaks and hetmans chose the Mother of God as their patron and protector. On October 14, Ukrainians worldwide gather annually to celebrate the feast of the Intercession of the Theotokos, or the Protection (Pokrova) of Our Most Holy and Ever-Virgin Mary.
On October 14, 2014, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko decreed a new holiday due to the Russian military intervention and aggression in Ukraine (2014-present) – Defender of Ukraine Day. The holiday was enshrined in a law passed by the Ukrainian Parliament on March 5, 2015.
Maria Korkatsch-Groszko
Consul General Larysa Gerasko delivers remarks.
On August 24, 2014, President Poroshenko had proclaimed that “…Ukraine should not celebrate the holidays of the military-historical calendar of Russia… we will honor the defenders of our homeland, not someone else’s.”
Volodymyr Vyatrovych, former head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, lobbied to designate October 14 in honor of the Ukrainian Kozaks, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and the current Ukrainian Armed Forces. Historically, the feast was especially popular among Ukrainian Kozaks, who had celebrated it since at least the 17th century, as they believed the Mother of God to be their patroness. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army chose October 14, 1942, to be the official day of its establishment.
The ecumenical service in Bloomingdale was officiated by participating clergy: the Very Rev. Victor Poliarny, secretary of the Vicariate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and pastor of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral; and the Revs. Mykhailo Leschyshyn, Anatoliy Basarab, Oleksiy Kasperuk, Yaroslav Marykot and Dmytriy Bihun. Responses during the memorial service were sung by the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Choir.
Ukrainian American Veterans Post 32, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – Illinois Division, Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation-USA Inc., Organization for Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine, Women’s Association for Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine and the Ukrainian American Youth Association honored the defenders of Ukraine with their attendance
Nadia Tyshchenko, director of the St. Andrew School of Ukrainian Studies, arranged to have children place flowers at the Heavenly Brigade (Nebesna Sotnia) Memorial Monument.
During her remarks, Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago Larysa Gerasko stated: “…today, Ukrainians throughout the world honor feats of combat and dedication of people who have devoted their lives in service to the Ukrainian people and protection of our homeland. Today, members of the Ukrainian servicemen, servicewomen and volunteers are defending our independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and give a serious challenge to Russia’s armed aggression… let the presence of each and every one of us become an embodiment of unity of the Ukrainian American community and support of Ukraine and her heroes.”