Pastors from two local Ukrainian orthodox churches asked Bethlehem City Council to help Ukraine during its hour of need during the invasion by the Russian Federation. After Father Richard Jendras finished his plea March 1, council members and attendees at the meeting rendered a rare round of applause.

Father Oleh Kravchenko, pastor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Northampton and Jendras, of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, made the appeal.

“We come here this evening before you asking for your assistance and the help of all the citizens of Bethlehem and of the Lehigh Valley,” said Father Jendras.

“As you well know a week ago the madman Vladimir Putin unleashed his war on the Ukrainian people. As we are gathered here this evening Vladimir Putin is slaughtering our people in Ukraine.”

“The Ukrainian people have stood up against him bravely and courageously. All we need to do is look on the television and se can see the grit and the determination of the people of Ukraine to fight against this injustice and to save their land and to save themselves from this tyranny.

“We need your help,” said Jendras.

He went on to ask for donations to allow their churches “to run events” and to “bring this to the forefront” to get the support of the people of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.

He asked for help publicizing events such as prayer rallies, prayer services, community events and community meetings in support of Ukraine.

“We would ask that in a show of support that alongside the American flag and the flag of the City of Bethlehem, that you put up the yellow and blue flag of Ukraine until this horror is over with,” said Jendras.

“Help us do this for freedom loving people, for freedom for people that are looking to hold on to democracy, for people that are bravely holding the line against a tyrant.”

In a later interview, Father Oleh Kravchenko said that they were raising money with food sales offering Ukrainian “varenyky” which he said is very similar to Polish pierogi, a form of dumpling with which many people in the Lehigh Valley are familiar with.

He said donations can be made by calling the office of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Northampton at (610) 262-2882.

In other business, City Council President Michael Colon presented a certificate of recognition to retiring police officer Robert Protalatin.

Mayor William Reynolds reported that the city wants to hire more lifeguards for the five municipal swimming pools that will be open this coming summer.