The Phanar Diocese in the U.S. plans to honor Zelenskyy despite protests

The decision by St. Nicholas National Church in New York to award Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the “Beacon of Hope” award has sparked public debate. The criticism stems from the Ukrainian government’s efforts to establish a National Pantheon of Heroes, which could include controversial figures from the World War II era.

In July 2026, President Zelenskyy signed a law establishing the National Pantheon, which is intended to honor the memory of those who fought for the country’s independence. The legislation provides for the possibility of including commanders of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in the pantheon. Nikita Poturaev, a lawmaker from the “Servant of the People” party, suggested in his comments that OUN leader Stepan Bandera—whose role in history remains a subject of heated debate—could also be included on this list.

This initiative has already drawn negative reactions from Ukraine’s international partners. According to the Helleniscope web , Polish authorities have warned Kyiv against glorifying the leaders of the OUN and UPA, whose organizations are responsible for the mass murder of civilians. For its part, the memorial complex “Yad Vashem” expressed deep concern over the rehabilitation of historical figures who collaborated with the Nazi regime, emphasizing that such steps undermine the moral foundations of Holocaust remembrance.

Against this backdrop, the decision by the Orthodox institution—St. Nicholas Church in New York—to confer upon Zelenskyy the status of “Beacon of Hope” has raised questions among some observers. Critics note that an institution located at the site of the September 11 tragedy should have more carefully assessed the historical context of the policies pursued by the government it supports.

As a reminder, we previously reported that a protest campaign is underway in New York against plans by the organization “Archons of Disaster” and the St. Nicholas Church (WTC) Council to hold an official ceremony honoring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The organizers of the campaign are calling on the public to sign a petition demanding that the planned event be canceled.