This year, the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women was a very special day for our parish.
On this day, we had the blessing of welcoming two Ukrainian defenders — Ihor and Pavlo — who are currently in the U.S. for medical treatment and prosthetics after being wounded while fighting for our freedom. They were accompanied by volunteers from the Protez Foundation, an organization that helps wounded Ukrainian soldiers on their journey of physical and emotional recovery.
Together, we prayed the Divine Liturgy. It was a deep and heartfelt prayer — for our defenders, for peace, and for victory.
We sincerely thank Ihor and Pavlo. Thank you for standing strong, for not giving up, for keeping your hearts open. We also thank the volunteers — people who put their hearts into serving others every day. And thank you to everyone who came, who prayed, who supported — with a kind word, a donation, a smile, a hug.
That day, we felt again that the Church is not just walls. It is a community of love. A place where tears of gratitude and hope have power.
May the Lord richly bless all our defenders. May He strengthen their bodies and spirits. May He embrace our people with peace and healing. And may He reward every person who does good — a hundredfold.
