Feast Day of the Holy Protectress marks beginnings of the UPA

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. – The Feast Day of the Holy Protectress (October 14) is most significant for Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) veterans, whose beginnings are based on Kozak founding principles going back to 1490, when these Ukrainian warriors defended Ukrainian lands. The Kozaks would go into battle on the Feast Day of the Holy Protectress, and it is on this day in 1942 that historical archives date the beginnings of the UPA. In 1983, former members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army established a final resting place for their brothers in arms at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J. While the grounds are maintained by the cemetery management, the individual plantings and seasonal clean-up are done by volunteers who welcome anyone who would like to help once or twice per year to maintain the gravesites and surrounding grounds. Seen above is the monument to unknown soldiers of the UPA which stands in the UPA section of the cemetery. For more information readers may contact Christina Kotlar via email at [email protected]. – Christina Kotlar