PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Next week will mark three years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A Center City cathedral observed the anniversary with a special service on Sunday, honoring the lives lost and calling for peace.
More than 100 people filled the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, where Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led the homily and prayed for peace in his home country.
“We are fighting for our freedom and our dignity, for the right to live freely in our homeland,” he said. “Our nation understands that freedom is not for free. And at this moment, Ukrainians are paying the highest price for it.”
Feb. 24 marks three years since the war started, but Father Roman Pitula, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in North Philly, said Ukraine has been defending itself for much longer.
“Three years ago, but we have to say it’s 11 years ago,” he said, “because annexation of Crimea happened in 2014, and the occupation of Donbas area happened in 2014. And it was for eight years. And then 2022, it just was a full-scale invasion.”
The U.S. is expected to enter negotiations with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken a hard-line stance on keeping Ukraine’s borders and natural resources.
Pitula added, “Ukraine is still standing, Ukraine is still fighting, and Ukraine is still praying.”