Zelenskyy, Ukrainian people honored by longstanding New York Greek Orthodox congregation
"Ukraine stands because our people are very brave," Zelenskyy said.
One of the oldest Greek Orthodox churches in the U.S. honored Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people for their courage in defending the country amid the more than four-year war that began with Russia's invasion.
Zelenskyy appeared via a video during the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center's annual Beacon of Hope Dinner in Manhattan on Saturday and told the audience how humbled he was to receive the Beacon of Hope Award along with the rest of the people of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president called on the group to "keep caring, keep helping where your support is needed."
"We need you to believe in yourself, to believe in the strength of America and of the free world," he said. "We always say this, Ukraine stands because our people are very brave, and their courage is stronger because your strength is with us. This is how it must be until the day we reach peace. We have to get there."
The event's speakers expressed solidarity with Ukrainian families and communities whose impacted by the ongoing war with Russia.
"Hope is a sacred responsibility. It calls us to stand beside those who suffer, to defend the dignity of every human person, and to work without ceasing for peace," His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said.
"In honoring the brave people of Ukraine and their heroic president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we embrace all who carry the burden of defending their homeland against a brutal invasion," he added.
Saturday's event also marked a somber anniversary for the New York church, which was established in 1916 by Greek immigrants.
Its original location in Downtown Manhattan was destroyed during the Sept. 11 attacks 25 years ago. A new church was built near the World Trade Center Museum and Memorial and was consecrated in 2022.
Michael Psaros, the vice-chairman of the St. Nicholas National Shrine Board of Trustees, said that the "the heroism of the Ukrainian people and President Zelensky reflect the spirit of the National Shrine itself," as "a place where faith, resilience and the eternal light of hope stand as witness to the world."