Council of Bishops of the UOC of the USA: Honoring Our Veterans on Veterans Day
Council of Bishops of the UOC of the USA: Honoring Our Veterans on Veterans Day

Собор Єпископів УПЦ США: День Ветеранів у Сполучених Штатах Америки

Council of Bishops of the UOC of the USA

Honoring Our Veterans on Veterans Day

Beloved clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA:

It is with a profound sense of appreciation and prayer that we take this opportunity to write to you as our Nation honors our Veterans.

November 11, 2020 is Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day.

The Armistice to end World War I, known at that time as the war to end all wars, was signed by and between the Germans and the Allies at 5 am on the morning on November 11th, 1918 – exactly 102 years ago. The peace became effective at the 11th minute, after the 11 hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month.

There have been many wars since World War I. In a world in which people still resort to violence to settle conflicts, we still see many references to wars and armed conflict.

In the United States of America, the function of Veterans Day is slightly different from that of similar holidays in other countries. Unlike the practice in other countries, where this calendar date is set aside specifically for honoring those who died in action, Veterans Day in the US honors all American veterans, whether living or dead, killed in action, or deceased from other causes.

This observance is particularly important on the Spiritual Center/Metropolia of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, where the National Ukrainian-American Veterans Memorial is located (South Bound Brook, NJ). We can take pride in the fact that many Ukrainian-Americans and in particular Ukrainian Orthodox clergy and faithful have served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. That means we have a great number of veterans in our parish communities living throughout the country. We also have many currently serving, and young people making plans to join the military – these are our future veterans. We owe them all a great debt.

Veterans Day should be a celebration of lives well lived, as veterans contribute so much to our communities, and a reminder that many have made great sacrifices and carry heavy burdens from their years of service. For those serving, perhaps far away from loved ones, we say on this day that you are in our thoughts and prayers. For those families missing someone special to them, we say - we appreciate your patriotism and embrace you with our prayers.

It is easy for us today to thank those who served.  However, what is most important is that we remember these heroes not only today, but that we remember them on each and every day we live as free citizens in this country. It is also a day to celebrate freedom, because that’s the ultimate selfless cause of all who serve.

So, we offer our prayers of Thanksgiving for our veterans and their families. May God bless each one of you – our veterans and our great country – the United States of America.

+Antony, Metropolitan

+Daniel, Archbishop

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

A Prayer for Veterans Day

O, God of love and mercy, we ask for blessings on all those who have served their country in the armed forces of the United States of America.

We ask for healing for the veterans who have been wounded, in body and soul, in conflicts around the globe.

We pray especially for the young men and women, in the thousands, who are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan with injured bodies and traumatized spirits. Bring solace to them, O Lord. May we pray for them when they cannot pray.

Have mercy on all our veterans from World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Bring peace to their hearts and peace to the regions they fought in.

Bless all the soldiers who served in noncombative posts. May their calling to serve continue in their lives in many positive ways.

Give us all today creative vision to see a world that, growing weary with fighting, moves to affirming the life of every human being and so moves beyond war.

For You are a Merciful and Loving God and to You we give glory unto the ages of ages. Amen.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 

Молитва за Ветеранів

О, Боже любові та милосердя, просимо благословення для всіх, хто служив нашій країні у збройних силах Сполучених Штатів Америки.

Ми просимо душевного і тілесного уздоровлення для поранених ветеранів. Молимося за тисячі юнаків та дівчат, які повертаються додому з Іраку та Афганістану та інших частин світу з пораненими тілами та травмованими духами. Принеси їм утіху, Господи.

Помилуй усіх наших ветеранів Першої та Другої світових війн, Кореї, В’єтнаму, Іраку та Афганістану. Принеси мир у їхніх серцях і мир у куточки світу, в яких вони воювали. Благослови усіх солдатів, які служили на бойових постах. Нехай їхнє покликання служити продовжується у їхньому житті багатьма позитивними наслідками. Дай нам усім сьогодні відверто бачити світ, який стомлюючись від бойових дій, рухається до утвердження життя кожної людини і таким чином виходить за межі війни.

Бо Ти Милосердний і Люблячий Бог, і Тобі віддаємо славу на віки вічні. Амінь.

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Mailing Address
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
P.O. Box 495
South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

Offices:
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Metropolia Center
135 Davidson Avenue
Somerset, NJ 08873