The Phanar Diocese in the U.S. awarded Zelenskyy a prize despite protests from the clergy and the faithful

On September 26, the second annual dinner was held at St. Nicholas Church in New York, during which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was posthumously awarded the prestigious “Beacon of Hope” Award. According to Orthodoxia News Agency, the award was presented to “in recognition of the Ukrainian people’s heroic struggle for freedom and human dignity.”

In his speech, Archbishop Elpidophoros of the American Patriarchate of Constantinople emphasized that the essence of the current conflict lies not in territorial disputes, but in a clash of values. ““The forces that have invaded Ukraine, above all, cannot tolerate free people, free ideas, and free societies,” — the archbishop noted.

On behalf of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the award was accepted by Andriy Melnyk, Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN. In his remarks, he emphasized the critical importance of U.S. support, calling on American partners not to limit themselves to recognizing Ukraine’s “resilience,” but to take concrete steps to end the war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself addressed those present via a video message, in which he emphasized that hope requires active nurturing and action, especially in the run-up to a difficult winter and in light of threats to the country’s energy infrastructure. He called for the acceleration of deliveries of air defense systems, including the Patriot, which are vital to the country’s survival.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) issued an official statement regarding the honoring of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the United States. The hierarchs expressed deep concern over the actions of representatives of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, who are planning to present the politician with the “Beacon of Hope” award.