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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Prayers for Ukraine

Despite cold weather and short notice, a group of approximately 70 people gathered in Bethlehem’s Payrow Plaza recently to join a candlelight vigil in support of Ukraine’s ongoing war of independence.

Convened by the Bethlehem Interfaith Group, priests from the Lehigh Valley’s Ukrainian churches, both Orthodox and Catholic, joined Protestant ministers and a Jewish rabbi in prayers and songs in multiple languages – English, Ukrainian, Hebrew and Latin – calling for justice and peace in Ukraine.

In the crowd were a number of refugees from Ukraine who have been sponsored to live in the Lehigh Valley.

In his opening comments Father Richard Jendras, pastor of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, emphasized the gratitude of Ukrainians for the support they have received from the United States, both military and humanitarian. He asked the crowd to continue their prayers for peace but also to look for opportunities to support Ukrainians financially, if possible.

Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom in Bethlehem spoke of the Jewish community’s commitment to the Ukrainian people and their struggle for freedom. At the conclusion of his comments, members of the crowd joined him in singing a moving Hebrew song calling for peace.

A highlight of the vigil was an impassioned speech by U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild, D-7th, who described a visit she made to Ukraine with a bipartisan group of eight members of the House of Representatives. What they saw there convinced Republicans and Democrats alike Ukrainians must be given American support until their freedom is assured. Also, since returning to Washington, they have continued to communicate with one another about policy on Ukraine. Wild stayed at the vigil talking with members of the crowd.

Speaking to the group, U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild, D-7th, shares her experiences during a visit to Ukraine. She is here with Rev. Cynthia Simmons, president of the Bethlehem Interfaith Group and, right to left, Father Richard Jendras of St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, Father Oleh Kravchenio, pastor of Assumption of the Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Northampton and Father Yaroslav Lukavenko, parochial vicar of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, West Easton.
PRESS PHOTOS BY DENNIS GLEW Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom, Bethlehem, joins the other religious leaders in calling for a just settlement of the war in Ukraine.
The vigil concludes with lighting candles to represent the end of the darkness of war in Ukraine.