BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – The Ukrainian community of Chicago and its Illinois suburbs and parishioners of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral – Kyivan Patriarchate in Bloomingdale, Ill., gathered on the weekend of September 19-20 for a festive celebration to mark the 45th anniversary of the parish’s founding and for a solemn commemoration and dedication of the first monument in the diaspora in memory of the “Nebesna Sotnia” (Heavenly Brigade) and all who gave their lives for the freedom of Ukraine.
Attendees were honored with the presence of Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus’-Ukraine. He was joined by clergy and church board members representing parishes of the Kyivan Patriarchate of U.S.A., Canada and Japan, as well as the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago.
This special weekend began with a concert on Saturday evening with a grand performance by the Canadian Bandurist Capella under the musical direction of Andrij Dmitrovich and concertmaster Borys Ostapienko. The repertoire consisted of epic historic songs, traditional songs and sacred music. The artistic selection demonstrated support for those who find themselves in conflict against unlawful Russian aggression and subjugation, while expressing the deepest respect for those who have perished defending the sovereignty of Ukraine. The master of ceremonies was Oksana Rodak-Lucenko, an accomplished musician and bandura master.
On Sunday, a hierarchical liturgy was served by Patriarch Filaret. Clergy participating in liturgy included: the Very Rev. Victor Poliarny and the Rev. Mykhailo Leshchyshyn (St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, in Bloomingdale); Archimandrite Peterym (St. Pokrova Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Chicago); the Rev. Paul Koroluk (St. Jude UOC in Tokyo); the Rev. Oleh Saciuk (Holy Trinity UOC, Los Angeles); the Rev. Petro Mazepa (St. Mary Protectress UOC, Phoenix, Ariz.); the Rev. Steven Tolbert (St. Brigit UOC, Oklahoma); the Rev. Roman Zahursky (Holy Trinity UOC, North Royalton, Ohio); the Rev. Joseph Gawlik (St. Nicholas UOC, Homewood, Ill.); the Rev. Bohdan Zgoba (Hollywood, Fla.); and the Rev. Oleksij Kasperuk (St. Sophia UOC, Chicago).
Following the liturgy, Patriarch Filaret ordained Ivan Kaneda of Japan to the rank of deacon for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Tokyo.
As all gathered for the dedication of the monument in honor of the Heavenly Brigade, St. Andrew UOC–KP President and Co-Chair of the Ukrainian Heroes Monument Committee John Jaresko greeted members of the Ukrainian communities of Illinois, Chicago clergy of various confessions, and dignitaries from the United States and Ukraine. Present were Gov. Bruce Rauner of Illinois; Ukraine’s Minister of Finance Natalia Jaresko; Larysa A. Gerasko, consul general of Ukraine in Chicago; Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.); Alexander Field, representing Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich, chief rabbi of Kyiv and all Ukraine; Maj. Peter Bencak and Ukrainian American Veterans Post 32; Serhiy Shakhov of Save Ukraine Now; Dr. Alex Striltschuk, president of the Illinois Branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America; Dr. Maria Korkatsch-Groszko, member of the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission; architect Roman Holowka, project building consultant; Treasured Artist of Ukraine Yevhen Prokopov; and representatives of the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine, Women’s Association for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine, Ukrainian American Youth Association, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization and the Ukrainian Democratic Youth Association (known by its Ukrainian acronym as ODUM).
Patriarch Filaret officiated the blessing. Addressing attendees, he noted that: “This monument serves as witness that the events in eastern Ukraine are for defense of democracy for the entire world. If we do not defend democracy [in Ukraine], the totalitarian regime of Russia will spread to other countries of Europe, which can then lead to another world war. Therefore, we must respect and honor those heroes who continue to defend democracy and freedom for the entire world.”
Patriarch Filaret and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko with the Canadian Bandurist Capella.
Minister Jaresko offered her reflections on the strength of the Ukrainian nation in the face of the greatest evil. She stated that “…this monument will be a living testament to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and European choice.” Consul General Gerasko declared that “the dedication of this monument is of particular value because it sanctifies the lives of those that sacrificed for the future of an independent and prosperous Ukraine. Memory of their sacrifice should be preserved for future generations of Ukrainians.”
Gov. Rauner expressed confidence in the relentless belief and resolve of Ukrainians in the struggle for freedom; he recognized all who planned, contributed and erected the monument for the never-ending support for Ukraine and its people.
Rep. Roskam, who has visited Ukraine multiple times, commented on the commitment to democracy and rule of law in Ukraine and his admiration for the people of Ukraine, who risk their lives to defend their dignity and the future of their children and territory.
In solidarity with the Ukrainian community, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) forwarded a greeting in which he indicated his continued strong support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. “This monument will serve to honor those who put themselves in harm’s way in the preservation of freedom and democracy, remember the victims of such struggles and immortalize those loved ones who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” stated Sen. Kirk.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) commented about the monument, “…The Heaven’s Brigade Monument being built in Bloomingdale, Ill., has the potential to serve as an important avenue through which these people might be honored and recognized for their service. I had the opportunity to visit a similar memorial built on the Maidan square in Kyiv and was truly touched by the sacrifice and struggle that it represented. Thank you for your work on this important monument… it will send a strong message to President [Vladimir] Putin that the Ukrainian people will never be cowed into submission.”
A grand banquet to mark the 45th anniversary of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral – Kyiv Patriarchate was held at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort.
This first ever monument in diaspora to the Heavenly Brigade was designed by Mr. Prokopov, whose works are found in 30 museums throughout the world, with monumental-scale works in Ukraine, Germany, Taiwan and the United States. The artist’s works are also in private collections in Israel, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia and the United States; reproductions of his sculptures are found in specialized art publications, art history journals and books throughout the world.
In an interview, Mr. Prokopov explained that “this monument memorial honoring the Heavenly Hundred and all who are fighting for Ukrainian nationhood and sovereignty is an announcement to the world of the radiant memory and eternal honor that is bestowed upon the heroes of the Revolution of Dignity. This monument will serve as an expression of the tragic events in Ukraine.”
The artist added: “The symbol of both the suffering and the hopes of the victims, a high polished stainless steel cross, is a mirror of sorts that will endlessly reflect the unity of heaven and earth, being and non-being. Like an endless river flowing into the diamond-like reflections, an overlay of an ancient Ukrainian pattern (mini-crosses) furthers the symbolism of transcendence. Blue is the color symbolizing the souls of the departed heroes and the dignity of future generations. The spiritual content filing the monument is faith in the power of the eternal soul, and the unbreakable unity of Ukrainian patriots. This monument calls to us… remember, be united and you will be undefeated.”
Donors to the building of the monument in memory of “Nebesna Sotnia” received special recognition for their generous donations on Friday, October 16, during a premier showing of the award-winning film “Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom.” Lida Truchly, co-chair and project finance director on the Ukrainian Heroes Monument Committee, presented certificates of gratitude and a coin struck in 2014 by the National Bank of Ukraine in honor of the “Nebesna Sotnia.”
The patriarch and clergy inside St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
Maria Korkatsch-Groszko, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago