04.07.2007, [08:25] // Speech, greeting, press release // RISU.ORG.UA
The Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA on 3 July 2007 released an archpastoral reflection on the 231st anniversary of America’s independence. The full text follows BELOW.
COUNCIL OF BISHOPS OF THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
Archpastoral Reflection on the 231st Anniversary of America’s Independence
“O, Give Thanks!”
On this, the two hundred and thirty first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we the Hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, proclaim with our faithful and all the people of these United States of America the words of the Psalm used at opening of the Thanksgiving Service, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, for His mercy endures forever.”
Many an immigrant, among them members of our own family, Ukrainians, who bore the burdens of adverse political systems, and were often oppressed and marginalized in their homelands by irresponsible and immoral governments, gazed upon the shores of their new home – their God-given haven -and uttered from the depths of their hearts the above words, “O give thanks…for He is gracious and His mercy endures forever.” From Ukraine and many other lands they settled in various parts of this country, adapting to their new life, meeting the challenges of their age and preparing a blessed future for their children. All this they accomplished without divorcing themselves from the spiritual and ethnic culture which formed them but by adapting it to their new situation and, thus, enhancing it. Their strong faith and work ethic contributed in a very positive manner to the communities in which they settled. Today, their descendants enjoy the fruit of their labors and honor those who made this possible.
As we today give thanks for the blessings we enjoy in this God-saved land, we are mindful that we all are called upon to be vigilant, righteous and responsible in combating two formidable threats to our independence: the anonymous and insidious acts of terrorism that we have witnessed and the second, the subtle and subversive secularization of our society and culture.
There must be a new revolution – a battle fought with faith such menaces, which threaten us as a people and as a nation.
May the memory of those who, by the Grace of God, created our great nation - the United States of America - back in 1776 – serve as our inspiration in our modern day revolution.
God be with us all!
In His love,
+Constantine, Metropolitan
+Antony, Archbishop
+Vsevolod, Archbishop
Issued on this the third day of July, in the Year of Our Lord 2007-07
At the Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
South Bound Brook, New Jersey 08880
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