There was strength in numbers Sunday morning at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan held mass to express his support for the Ukrainian community.
“They love their country. They have been through this before. Russia has tried to annihilate Ukraine many times. Faith and learning and culture and peace and family and form. That's what' Ukraine stands for,” Dolan said.
What You Need To Know
- Cardinal Dolan held mass at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in the East Village
- Parishioners said the mass helped them manage their stress
- Some parishioners have family in Ukraine
- Cardinal Dolan commended Ukrainians for their resilience
The show of solidarity at the mass in the East Village is something keeping parishioner Genya Kuzmowycz-Blahy going.
“I have not felt this way since 9/11. It’s emotional because there is family and we are helpless but we’re not hopeless because of our faith. Our faith is keeping us strong,” said Kuzmowycz-Blahy, who has family in Ukraine.
“We are appreciative of what the United States is helping us with their help as long as military aid is concerned however we are still feeling we need more sanctions,” Kuzmowycz-Blahy added.
Maya Lopatinsky was also at the mass and she expressed concern for her relatives still in Ukraine.
“I’m just sad. It’s incredibly sad my grandmother calls me everyday and she’s in tears,” Lopatinsky said. “My extended uncle and his son have recently signed up to volunteer and fight.”
A small memorial of flowers and pictures of the crisis sits outside the church. Throughout the day, people stop in front of it to pray for Ukraine during this crisis.
At the mass Cardinal Dolan commended Ukrainians for their resilience.
