A major signature-collection movement has begun in the United States demanding the cancellation of the «Beacon of Hope» award ceremony by Archbishop Elpidophoros to Volodymyr Zelensky, which is scheduled to take place at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York, as reported by the Telegram channel Orthodox Reflections, according to a report by Gazeta.ru on August 13.
Protesters are asking the church's board of trustees to cancel the event honoring the Ukrainian president, characterizing his candidacy as improper.
Concurrently, they urge the submission of complaints to church administration, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and other related organizations, demanding the cancellation of the event.
Justifying their position, the petition's authors claim that under Zelensky, Ukraine has turned into a «police state» characterized by the suspension of elections, media censorship, and the suppression of critical voices.
Furthermore, the document alleges human rights violations and persecutions of representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), including the seizure of church property and the arrest of clergy.
The submission in question, published on Orthodox Reflections, does not constitute an official US government document and therefore lacks a set signature threshold for consideration.
So far, over one thousand signatures have been collected.
The final document is scheduled to be sent to the church trustees and the administration of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Archdiocese of America accountable for awarding the unconstitutional president of Ukraine
Nevertheless, the responsibilities of the Archdiocese of America must be pointed out, as well as those of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as they enlisted themselves in a whitewashing campaign for an unconstitutional president who has unleashed a systematic pogrom against the Orthodox population — especially in Donbass.
As highlighted by a report in Orthodox Press, the Archdiocese of America and its primate, instead of serving repentance and truth, appear to support passions and injustice.
They intend to bestow an award on the president of Ukraine, presenting him as a «defender of freedom and human dignity».
Do they not know that Volodymyr Zelensky is considered primarily responsible for ecclesiastical persecutions, systematic discrimination, and an unprecedented campaign against the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) under Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv?
Do they not know that in regions of Western Ukraine the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has essentially vanished from the public sphere, under the responsibility of the Zelensky government?
The UOC traditionally constitutes one of the largest religious communities in Ukraine, with approximately 10,000 parishes.
Who holds responsibility, if not President Zelensky, when Orthodox clergy of the UOC have lost the right to exemption from conscription and priests, even bishops, are forcibly led to the front?
Does Archbishop Elpidophoros not know that the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government is disputed, as the regular presidential term of Volodymyr Zelensky has already expired?
Concurrently, martial law is extended every three months, resulting in no new elections being held.
Is it therefore possible to present as a «beacon of hope» a person against whom such grave accusations have been formulated?
According to a report in the National Herald of July 17:
«The St. Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center is set to honor the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, presenting him with the "Beacon of Hope" award, in a special event to take place on September 26, 2026, in Manhattan», reported the National Herald on July 17.
According to the announcement by the Shrine's Board of Trustees, the award constitutes recognition of «President Zelensky's unwavering leadership in defense of freedom and human dignity», which, as stated, «has inspired millions of people around the world».
Special reference is made to the phrase linked with the early days of the war in Ukraine, when Zelensky rejected a proposal to be evacuated from Kyiv, stating: "I need ammunition, not a ride".
As emphasized, this statement evolved into a "global symbol of courage, determination, and dedication toward the Ukrainian people".
The announcement links this year's award with two major historical anniversaries: the completion of 250 years since the founding of the United States and the upcoming 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Concurrently, it is emphasized that "the dedication of the Ukrainian President to his people and to the principles of freedom" reflects the spirit of the St. Nicholas National Shrine itself, which was erected at the site of the World Trade Center as a symbol of faith, resilience, and hope following the September 11 attacks.»
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