UOL BULLETIN UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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1 155N X UOL BULLETIN UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Dedicated to the Church Devoted to its Youth VOL. 49 NO. 7 JUNE, 2003 PALOS PARK AWAITS YOUR ARRIVAL! 56 TH U.O.L. CONVENTION PALOS PARK, IL JULY 23-27, 2003 Let all that you do be done with love (Cor. 16:14) Noreen Neswick, Chairman, and Anatol Bilyk, CoChairman, toast your arrival at the 56 th UOL Convention In 2003, the Ukrainian Orthodox League will celebrate its 56 th year as a national organization that brings its members, ranging in age from eight to over eighty, together through local chapters in parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The Ukrainian Orthodox League is a national volunteer organization of members in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, who are committed to promoting the Orthodox faith, supporting the Church, developing the potential of our youth and their active participation in the life of the Church, and preserving our Ukrainian heritage and culture. The 56 th Annual Convention of the UOL will be held July 23-27, 2003 in Chicago, IL; Sr. and Jr. UOL Chapters of Sts Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Palos Park are hosting the convention this year. HYATT-REGENCY HOTEL OAK BROOK, IL (630) Hotel accommodations are at the Hyatt-Regency in Oak Brook, IL; ask for UOL Convention rates of $114 when you phone in your hotel reservation at (630) The hotel is directly across the street from the upscale Oak Brook Shopping Center; plenty of restaurants and stores are within walking distance. In addition to UOL business sessions, there will be two Hospitality nights, one Brunch at the hotel, a Polynesian night (including dinner and entertainment), Banquet and Ball at the hotel (with the famed Good Times Ukrainian band), a Farewell Luncheon, and a fantastic guest speaker from Boston. Jr. UOL members will have additional events. Registration packets are $185 for Seniors and Guests, and $175 for Juniors and Clergy. Weekend and preteen packets are also available. Pre-convention activities include Young Adult Days on July 21 and 22, sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry from our Diocese. Their plans include visits to Chicago Botanical Gardens, North Avenue Beach, and an outdoor (continued on page 4) GENE POOLING: Women Combine Skills in Research Project by Sandra Guy, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/19/03 Four Chicago area researchers have discovered a way to insert the right genes into the right spot within a cell a potentially huge step forward in gene therapy. Their ultimate goal is to offer hope to people with cancer, neurological diseases and other diseases that are caused by several malfunctioning genes. The researchers believe they have found a way to replace the bad genes with the good ones with laser-like precision. The project is a collaboration among four women two bio-science researchers and two chemists. The chemists wanted to get titanium dioxide the kind of material used in hip replacements to bind with DNA. They turned to the biomedical scientists for help in understanding the nuances of DNA, and the scientists quickly started suggesting ways of applying the targeted techniques to gene therapy. Rather than simply shooting titanium into a targeted part of a cell, the researchers took it a step further. They decided to use nanocrystals particles a few billionths of a meter in diameter to attach different kinds of genes onto the titanium and shoot them into specific targets inside the cell. Each nanocrystal is attached with a short strand of DNA that matches a patient s defective gene sequence. Once the nanoparticle binds with the unwanted genetic material in a cell, the nanoparticle could be broken apart by light or X-rays, thus snipping out the problematic DNA. We call it a Swiss army knife because, unlike today s drugs, we can inject 10 kinds of good genes all at once, and target them in extremely broad ways, said Gayle Woloschak, a cancer researcher at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University in Chicago. She spearheaded the project in collaboration with Tatjana Paunesku, a research assistant professor in Feinberg s radiology department, Marion Thurnauer, a senior chemist and director of the chemistry division of Argonne National Laboratory; and Tijuna Rajh, an Argonne chemist. Their breakthrough is touted in an article, Crystal Therapy, in the February issue of Technology Review magazine. Though the science sounds like fiction, the researchers hope to start testing their project on lab animals within six months. Nanoscience is just getting exciting now, said Woloschak. We jumped on it at an early stage, and that helped. Woloschak s enthusiasm would seem odd to anyone who knew her when she was in high school in Youngstown, OH. She hated science. After she entered college as an intended philosophy major, she had to take a basic biology class. Much to her surprise, she loved it. The cool part was that you could ask a question and generate an answer yourself, she said. I found that really interesting. As she pursued her new career in biomedical research, she became a minority. There were only two female graduate students and two faculty members at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo in the late 1970 s. The field is much more hospitable to women now, but it is still rare to find four women working on nanocrystal research. We actually used to joke, How many projects started with four women? Woloschak said. (photo by Jim Frost/Sun-Times) Tatjana Paunesku, Gayle Woloschak, Marion Thurnauer and Tijana Rajh

2 PAGE 2 UOL BULLETIN JUNE, 2003 UOL BULLETIN The official publication of the Ukrainian Orthodox League of the United States of America. Circulated to all UOL members. Non-member subscription rate - $20.00 Canada - $20.00 Dr. Stephen Sivulich Daria A. Pishko Anya Priester Father John Harvey UOL Bulletin Editor UOL President Jr. UOL President UOL Bulletin 206 Christopher Circle 64 Coleman Avenue 102 Loker Street Spiritual Advisor Pittsburgh, PA I5205 Chatham, NJ Wayland, MA Harris Avenue Woonsocket, RI Special Assistant - Alice Sivulich, 206 Christopher Circle, Pittsburgh, PA Sr. Staff Writer - Elizabeth Mitchell, 46 Lexington Court, Carnegie, PA Distribution - Sts. Peter and Paul Chapters, Carnegie, PA UOL Bulletin Published seven times annually - September, October, November, January/February, March, April, and June. The absolute deadline for each monthly issue is the 5th of the prior month. Photos will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Note to Contributors: All articles submitted to the UOL Bulletin must be in 12 point Times New Roman (font), or typed and double spaced in 12 point type. Articles may be submitted via attachments. The editor reserves the right to condense any material submitted. Material cannot be returned. Advertising rates: Please inquire through editorial offices. PRESIDENT S COLUMN Daria A. Pishko Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever! I hope that you had a wonderful Lenten journey and a blessed and joyous Pascha. I can t believe how quickly the time goes by. Since my last letter to you, I was thrilled that two chapters warmly received my letter to the Chapter Presidents in February and invited me for a chapter visit. I had the pleasure if visiting Ss. Peter and Paul Senior UOL Chapter in Youngstown in April and have a visit to St. Mary s Senior UOL Chapter of Allentown, Pennsylvania planned for June. I had a wonderful visit with Bill Sywy, Chapter President, Father Charles Baxter, Spiritual Advisor and the wonderful chapter members of Ss. Peter and Paul in Youngstown, Ohio. It was a great opportunity to speak with the officers and members, both individually and one on one about what the League is looking to accomplish and giving the chapter an opportunity for feedback and to take pride in their own accomplishments. The Sunday of my visit, the Junior UOL Chapter members handed out to each attendee at Divine Liturgy, a lapel pin of the American Flag to which they attached a yellow ribbon signifying support for our troops in Iraq. They made the pins while they were baking paska breads for their bake sale the next day. The Senior UOL actively supports their parishes youth programs and also have accepted the responsibility for sending assistance to an orphanage in Ukraine. Their Malanka, and Stuffed Cabbage Sales are among their most successful moneyraisers in addition to other pot luck dinners and the like, but keeping their youth involved in the activities of the Church is by far their biggest accomplishment. They, like many others, struggle to bring a balance in combining the talents of young and old, but they are diligent at working to find an answer that works. I thank them for their kind hospitality, the wonderful Lenten luncheon that they served following Liturgy and especially the hospitality of Yvonne Mark and Dr. Dinah Fedyna who hosted me on Saturday evening. It was also great to see Kathy Battisti, Betty and Joe Ewanish, Mike Koroczynsky, Anna Mark, Pani Olynyk, Olga Senedak, Diane Senedak, Kathy Starr, Mike Woloschak and Walter Zebel, and many tried and true chapter members who I just had the opportunity of meeting that day. I know that Youngstown has the potential to host another convention, following in the foot steps of their legacy 1953, 1961, 1980 and 1992 successes. Let s hope they hear the call for the opportunity to host 2006, 2007, or beyond?! The rest of my time over the last two months has been spent on my efforts to revise the UOL Handbook and to work to mesh it with the long term planning goals and objectives that I think the board needs to envision to succeed. I will be taking a combination of ideas from various board members and a long term vision to the Convention body for its consideration and approval. I hope that the document we present will provide the members with more insight and clarity regarding their national organization, its vision and the local chapters roles in making the whole UOL work. As I write this in early May, I look forward to our last quarterly Board Meeting on May 10, the UOL Basketball Tournament May 17, the Young Adults Memorial Day Weekend at All Saints Camp and the commemoration of the Anniversary of the Repose of Patriarch Mystyslav on June 8 quite a full schedule to accomplish on our home stretch to the Convention. Similar to last year, I will be sending a letter to the chapters following our Board meeting in early May outlining the topics for discussion at the convention so that you can discuss your views at the chapter level to be represented by your delegates in Palos Park. Might I beg you once again, please plan to come to the Convention. Please bring your whole family. Plan to be active in the UOL Family. I look forward to seeing you all in Palos Park in July. So as not to be remiss, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations and heartfelt prayers to the All Saints Camp as they celebrate their 25 th Anniversary on June 22 nd. I was there from the beginning when they purchased the property as I was still living in Western Pennsylvania at the time. The efforts of the Camp Committee and their supporters have made it into the dream that we had while we were scrubbing the mold from the wall and facilities and chasing creatures out of the building in It is the utopia we prayed for, the blessed, peaceful environment where our souls can be nourished and our children raised. May God grant Steven Sheptak, our Camp Manager and all of the committed workers of the All Saints Camp Committee many, many more happy, healthy, prosperous and successful years. Well, here you have it my last UOL Bulletin article. I must now be truthful and tell you that writing this column over the last three years has been one of the most difficult assignments of being President. Each month I struggled to find an inspiration to share with you and inevitably, the lightbulb would go (continued in next column)

3 JUNE, 2003 UOL BULLETIN PAGE 3 PRESIDENT S COLUMN (continued from page 2) on at the 11 th hour and I would have to rush to get my column composed and typed and E d to our beloved Editor by the deadline. Thank goodness for e- mail. (I know that Steve is rolling his eyes as he s reading this.) But now, as I prepare to submit my final column, I have to be honest with myself. In reality, this was also one of the most rewarding assignments of being President. At the onset, I wasn t quite sure what the members would want to read about. What could I offer that they didn t already know? Who would want to hear from me? So early on, I decided that I should simply share my views of the activities of the UOL that I participated in and my hopes and aspirations for the organization that has been at the center of my life since I was twelve years old. As I look back now, I m really glad I did. At this point, I have a wonderful record of my term as UOL President documented through the issues of the UOL Bulletin. These columns have enabled me to record all the wonderful activities I ve experienced, the great people I have met and the ideas that we ve shared. Much to my surprise, the members of the UOL actually read this column and enjoy sharing my experiences. In just about every parish I visit, or function I attend, someone comments on this column and compliments me for my efforts! I was totally amazed. So, it s with a very humble heart that I thank each and every one of you for reading this column. Thank you for your support. Thank you, the members of the Ukrainian Orthodox League, through the actions of your delegates, for giving me the experience of a lifetime. This assignment over and above my previous UOL assignments over the years, (and there have been quite an assortment of them), gave me the opportunity to conquer some of my weaknesses, to grow stronger as an Orthodox Christian, as a leader, and as a person. (But without a doubt, I still have a way to go.) It has been everything I expected and more. It required more patience, more forgiveness, more perseverance, and it has brought far more rewards than I ever imagined. Personal rewards that is it s never a status or monetary thing in a role such as this. My rewards are the satisfaction of seeing an evolution in the League and its Chapters slowly, subtly, but progress none the less. As I go from parish to parish, I see people who have grown up in the UOL taking on the responsibilities of the future of our Church whether it s in Youngstown, Clifton, Monessen, Parma, Philadelphia, I just can t name them all but the UOL has trained these parishes, our churches leaders. The effect is not necessarily monumental until you look for it, but these are the significant developments that I feel will ensure that the League is prepared for the next 56 years. By Convention time, I hope to present a planning structure that is poised to work hand in hand with the leaders of our Consistory administration coupled by the idea of a structured training program which will further enable a broader membership to accept leadership roles in the Church and her League an overall openness to solicit assistance from a larger group of Church members no matter what their original background or their age. The League has traditionally been the training ground for the leaders of our parishes and our Church. We must continue in our charge to train, educate and attract dedicated workers for the glory of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church and her League. I hope the delegates at this Convention will be prepared to discuss, critique and embellish this plan for the benefit of the future of the League. Don t forget that Election Reports and Delegate forms are due to Laryssa Sadoway by June 15 th! (Did you think I would end without at least one more reminder?) I can t really express all of the love that I feel for my mentors, for the UOL members and for the League after these three years so at this point, for the last time I remain, Yours in Christ s love, Daria A. Pishko, President Prayerful Best Wishes! Congratulations METROPOLITAN CONSTANTINE 31st Anniversary of Consecration May 7, 2003 May You Have Many Years... Send Greetings to: Metropolitan Constantine UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF USA 1803 Sidney Street, Pittsburgh, PA JR. UOL NEWS YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO Our Youngstown Junior UOL members along with other Junior and Senior UOL members were invited to attend the Meeting the Light in Your Life Retreat in Parma, Ohio this past February. The visit to the Retreat was enjoyed by young and not-so-old and the entire weekend was an enlightening experience filled with spiritual and fun activities. We visited St. Herman s Monastery where we folded and organized donated clothing and helped to prepare dinner for the mission guests. While at the monastery, Fr. Vladimir talked about opening your heart to all by giving of yourself through unselfish deeds. We all should hope to follow the kind and selfless work of this generous man. Participants in the Meeting the LIGHT in Your Life Retreat Jr. and Sr. UOL members at St. Herman s Monastery, with Father Vladimir Throughout our visit at the retreat, we learned that taking the LIGHT home meant that the LIGHT is a reminder to always let Christ s light be your guide. Each and every one of us attending express a special thanks to St. Vladimir s Chapter and Parish, along with everyone involved in making this special weekend possible for all of us to minister our faith. Also, a special Thank You to our Youth Ministry for giving us the opportunity to attend the retreat by their generous support. This March, our Juniors along with our church s Sunday School children set-up, cooked, cleaned, and served a luncheon for our parish members and donated a portion of the proceeds to our local Rescue Mission. Also, we participated in the Sunday of Orthodoxy service and procession. After the service, our church hosted a cookie reception where the cookies were donated not only by us and our parish members, but also by some of the area Orthodox Churches that were invited. It was a special evening for all of those who attended. Another service project in which we are involved was sending Easter cards filled with Icon cards and inspirational messages and gifts of money to our church s college students. Our events for April include being invited by the Parma Chapter to a Clean-Up Weekend at All Saints Camp in Emlenton, PA; baking traditional pascha bread for a huge bake sale at a local mart, making Easter baskets for our church s shut-ins, and adopting a troop by sending much needed supplies to one of our parish member s son s troop. We are also looking forward to TC Camp and the Convention in Palos Park, IL where a record breaking number of Junior UOL members will be attending this year. Happy Blessed Easter season from the Jr. UOL members at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Youngstown, Ohio. Eric Senedak

4 PAGE 4 UOL BULLETIN JUNE, 2003 RELIGION: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS by Fr. John Harvey, St. Michael s Parish Woonsocket, RI Q. As a priest, I have been dismayed and frustrated that so many of the children presented for baptism in our Metropolia bear names given by their parents which do not commemorate any saint. Would you please comment on this unsettling trend. A. From the early centuries of the church, it has been common to yoke the name of the saint to the newly baptized as a heavenly patron and intercessor. Even in the case of the Serbs, who often bear age-old names of pagan origin, they have a family saint, which is celebrated every year by the ceremony of the Slava. This hearkens back to the days when families and tribes were all baptized on a certain day. That day s commemorated saint became the family patron of all who were baptized in that family. We do not have that custom, so which saint is the patron of Chelsea or Brandy? If one is naming children after their favourite drink, it is not inconceivable that one may eventually find a Schnapps or Vodka. Yes, this is an unsettling trend, in which we find parents conforming to the trends and fads of this world. Perhaps this has arisen because we spend so little time speaking of the saints or their exemplary lives, In any case, on our calendar there are hundreds of names to choose from and although Sts. Paphnutius and Agathangelos were pre-eminent in their day, one is not forced to choose names odd to the modern ear. There is plenty of variety available and one must also realize that the great number of Celtic and early British saints are timed before the schism with the Western Church (presently Roman Catholic) and are quite acceptable. This makes Brandon, Brian, Gladys and a host of other names quite acceptable. If a couple is dead set on naming their girl Shawna or Tiffany, one should press for a saints name to be given, at least, for the middle name, so that the child will have a heavenly patron. Q. A lady fell and injured herself as she descended the stairs from the choir loft. I heard another parishioner tell her to sue the parish as they had good liability insurance. I was appalled by such an attitude which would leap instantly to litigation. Is it right for Christians to sue other Christians? A. Our American society has a regrettable penchant for litigation and in some cases this is getting out of hand. Constant and sometimes frivolous litigation has led the medical profession into crisis now. Because of exorbitant malpractice insurance rates, some doctors are curtailing certain services. We constantly hear that we should sue for what is rightfully ours and that we should be compensated for emotional suffering, etc. Obviously there are some instances when the court is the only solution to get relief and have injustice righted or receive just compensation. Scripture, in light of the New Testament teachings, directs us to avoid bringing Christians to court. The idea (continued on page 6) ALL SAINTS CAMP 25 TH Anniversary June 22, 2003 HELP WITH PLANNING, SPRUCE-UP, AND ON THE 25 TH CONTACT: Bo Hryshchyshyn, Chairman Stephen R. Sheptak, Camp Administrator NEWS FROM AMBRIDGE, PA Easy Apricot Torte Layers of Fun Recipe by Juliana Kochis Name: Juliana Kochis Age: 6 Family: Parents, Fr. Michael and Pani Paula Kochis, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Ambridge, PA Sibling: Brother, Michael, 9 Community: Kennedy Township School: First-Grader at Forest Grove Elementary School Hobbies: Cheerleading and Art Sports: Gymnastics, softball, basketball and volleyball Favorite Foods to Cook: Desserts Favorite Foods to Eat: Pizza and any kind of candy Favorite Subject in School: Math Favorite TV Show: World s Funniest Animals Favorite Book: Aristocats Favorite Movie: Aristocats Favorite Animals: Kittens the family has plans to get one this spring What she wants to be when she grows up: A Teacher and a Mom According to her mother, Juliana enjoys cooking with her dad and likes to set the table. She is well on her way to being the perfect hostess, said Paula. Below is a recipe for an elegant looking cake torte that is very easy to make. EASY FANCY APRICOT CAKE TORTE 14 - Cinnamon Graham Crackers 1-10-ounce jar apricot filling 2-1-ounce squares semisweet baking chocolate 2 - tablespoons light corn syrup 1 - tablespoon butter - milk, if needed 1/2 - cup slivered almonds (optional) Place two whole rectangular graham cracker sheets side-by-side on a plate, making a square. Spread liberally with apricot filling. Place two more whole graham cracker sheets on top, cross-wise to the original layer; so there is not the same seam break as you build the stack. Press down gently, but not hard enough to push out the filling. Spread with more filling. Continue alternating layers of graham crackers and filling until there are several graham layers. The top layer will be plain no apricot. Cover and refrigerate for two hours so the graham crackers soften and absorb moisture from the filling. Gently press down softened graham crackers to make sure all layers are compact. Melt the two squares of chocolate in the microwave and add the corn syrup and butter. Add a little milk if needed to get a thin consistency. Mix well and spread over the top layer. Allow to drip down the sides. Sprinkle with slivered almonds, if desired. Let stand for one hour. Slice in 1-inch slices with a sharp knife. Enjoy! (This article appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 24, 2003, by Kathleen Ganster: Cooking With Kids PG Tested ) 56TH CONVENTION (continued from page 1) film festival. For our older members and guests, a golf outing is planned for July 22 (golf course and cost to be determined). One of the UOL fund-raisers is the Convention Yearbook, published annually. Parishes, organizations, businesses, groups and individuals offer their greetings, advertisements or remembrances to be published for everyone to have. We ask you to consider helping the UOL this year by agreeing to support the yearbook. One of our goals this year is to have more individual boosters as well as businesses, so if you need a copy of the ad contract for yourself or a favorite business, please let us know. For further information, call the 56 th UOL Convention Committee Co-chairs: Noreen Neswick at (708) , Anatol Bilyk at (847) or Fr. Taras Naumenko at (708) Thank you.

5 JUNE, 2003 UOL BULLETIN PAGE 5 U.S. CONGRESS CONSIDERING BILL TO HONOR VICTIMS OF UKRAINE FAMINE H.R. 591 is a bill before Congress to authorize the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) to establish a memorial on Federal Land in the District of Columbia to honor the victims of the Ukrainian famine-genocide of The bill proposes to allocate a plot of land in Washington, DC, to honor the memory of the millions of victims of the Famine. If approved by the US Congress, UCCA plans to construct the monument and unveil it during the commemoration of the 75 th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide in STALIN ATTEMPTED TO CRUSH THE NATIONALLY CONSCIOUS UKRAINIAN PEOPLE The man-made famine, also known as the Ukrainian Holocaust, which claimed an estimated five to seven million victims, is one of the least known and most misrepresented episodes of genocide in history. What makes the Artificial Famine of in Ukraine and its victims so important? The famine of was not a natural phenomenon; it was purposely created by Stalin s direct orders to dispossess the lands of the Ukrainian peasant farmer in an attempt to collectivize Soviet agriculture and raise capital to build Soviet industry. The confiscation of land did not satisfy Stalin. He attempted to eliminate all vestiges of Ukrainian nationalism, to silence the strongest and most vocal supporters of some semblance of Ukrainian cultural independence and to decimate the Ukrainian population, thereby sapping its ability to resist Communist rule. During , Ukraine was ravaged and its people brought to the verge of physical extinction by a famine caused not by natural causes such as pestilence, drought, floods, but as a consequence of a pre- meditated policy on the part of the Soviet Government led by Joseph Stalin to crush the nationally conscious Ukrainian people and destroy their national, political, cultural, and religious rights. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! Currently, more than thirty (30) members of Congress have co-sponsored HR 591 Ukrainian Famine-Genocide Memorial Bill as it is processed through appropriate committees prior to approval. The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) is requesting that members of the Ukrainian American community contact their congressional representatives and urge them to co-sponsor this bill. The following sample letter is provided for your convenience: (Date) The Honorable (Name) US House of Representatives Washington, DC, Dear Congressman/Congresswoman : As a member of the Ukrainian American Community, I was pleased to learn of HR 591, introduced by Representative Sander Levin of Michigan, which would allocate a plot of land in Washington, DC for the Ukrainian Community to erect a monument to honor the victims of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of This artificial famine was created by the Soviet regime, which in those years of plenty in the fertile grounds of Ukraine, established unrealistically high quotas for foodstuffs and confiscated Ukraine s abundant harvest. Having flooded Ukraine with Red Army troops, who guarded the food storage facilities and Ukrainian borders, the Stalinist government methodically starved to death more than seven (7) million Ukrainians 25% of Ukraine s rural population. Through physical elimination, the Soviet regime intended to suppress the Ukrainian nation and its desire for freedom and independence. However, the Ukrainian People continued to resist Communist oppression and after 70 years of struggle, regained their freedom in It is important that the memory of the innocent victims does not vanish. Knowledge of the horrors suffered by the Ukrainian nation will serve as a constant reminder that the world cannot rest as long as there exist oppressive regimes. It is our duty to prevent similar genocides from ever again happening. A monument to the victims of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide in the capital of the United States will demonstrate that our great nation will always fight for the oppressed. I respectfully urge you continue your support or to join the co-sponsors of this bill and support its passage. Sincerely, (Signature) (Name Typed) (For further information contact: or phone UNIS (202) ) THE SARMATIANS ANCIENT WOMEN WARRIORS 5 th Century B.C. 4 th Century A.D. by Elizabeth Mitchell, Staff Writer The Sarmatians were ancient nomadic and pastoral people who in the 5 th century B.C., according to accounts by ancient Greek historian Herodotus, lived between the Caspian Sea, the Don River and the Sea of Azov. They had migrated from Asia and soon overtook the Scythians who had settled in Ukraine. However, the Sarmatians ruled Ukraine for only 500 years; and as a result, ancient writers changed the name of Scythia, given to this territory by Herodotus, to Sarmatia. The most fascinating feature of the Sarmatians was their women warriors who excluded men from their society. Herodotus reported that the Scythians (see The Scythians, Ancient Warriors of Ukraine, by E. Mitchell, UOL BUL- LETIN, March, 2003, page 6) had mated with the Amazons and that their female descendants continued the ancient custom of riding on horseback with their husbands to war taking the field dressed as men. Morever, said Herodotus, No girl shall wed until she has killed a man in battle. ITEMS FOUND IN A YOUNG FEMALE WARRIOR S BURIAL: (Jeannine Davis-Kimball) (1) bronze arrowheads, iron sword, (2) iron sword, (3) fossilized Gryphaea shells, (4) unworked stone in shape of Gryphaea shell. All male children lived with their fathers or were killed. There was no place for them with the women warriors. The girls were trained as archers for war, and the custom of burning off the right breast of female infants was practiced to facilitate bending the bow. Hence the name Amazon derives from the Greek word breastless. In art, however, in which they are frequently represented, they are depicted as beautiful women with no apparent mutilization. Recently, 50 ancient burial mounds were found near the Kazakhstan boarder, with skeletons of women buried with weapons. Archeological materials seem to confirm women comprised a large percent of the military burial sites. However, some of the rich burial sites of aristocrats excavated in the Ural region indicate a defined social stratification developed for nomads. GEOLOGICAL FINDINGS FROM THE SARMATIAN ERA Shield-boss of Sarmatian Germanic-type pendants, with from burial of gem stones, from a Sarmatian Coronet, bowl, jug and needle a Third Century Prince. box from the burial of a A.D. burial. Sarmatian Queen. (Source: NOMADIC ART: The Sarmatians Art of Sarmatians; by Gabor Lendvai, 12/10/97) (continued on page 6)

6 PAGE 6 UOL BULLETIN JUNE, 2003 RELIGION (continued from page 4) being, Christians are to love and care for one another and should seek to find compromise and amenable solutions to problems and grievances among themselves. The spectacle of a court proceeding with Christian pitted against Christian is unseemly and a bad example for non-believers. In the case cited above, should the woman have to seek medical attention, it would be right that the parish should offer to underwrite such expense in a willing fashion without having to have a civil court compel them. Christians should seek to accommodate other Christians. For disputes within the church we have a Church Court, elected by the members of the Sobor. This is designed so that legitimate grievances may be judged and settled utilizing Canon Law in a Christian fashion, bypassing the civil court. We should avoid the public scandal of Christian locked in litigation with another Christian, exemplifying all the passions of this world. Q. Several times lately, lay people have asked to stand up during the church funeral service and give a eulogy or tribute to the deceased or some message of support to the family. Father has rebuffed them, but perhaps some explanation or reasoning should be given why as Ukrainian Orthodox, such practices are not permitted. A. Eulogies, tributes and other such messages often given by laymen are now common in many Protestant funerals, and ministers do not seem averse to such. One must realize that the Orthodox funeral is quite different from theirs. Protestants do not pray for the dead, so that aspect, which is so prominent in our services is absent. They will pray for the bereaved family that comfort may be given them during this time of loss, but what do you do to refer to the person in the casket. Especially, now in a secularized society, people need to say something about the deceased, so eulogies, tributes and anecdotes about the person seem appropriate and have become in some cases, the totality of the funeral service. As Orthodox, we realize that all have come short of the glory of God, we have all missed the mark, so to speak, and so our main prayer for the deceased ( as well as ourselves) is the plea. Lord have mercy! A priest may briefly touch on some aspect of the persons life ( Yes, Stella always had a kind word for everyone, worked unselfishly for the sisterhood and diligently visited the shut-ins and the lonely), yet the emphasis is praying for the deceased that mercy be shown for all faults. The spiritual is emphasized and not the seeming accomplishments in the eyes of the world. Each part of the funeral service is a plaintive cry to the Lord and the homily should be a teaching moment for all of us among the living who must face that we all are rushing towards the grave and need to be repentant ourselves. If there is a need for relatives or friends to speak, it is not in the church, disrupting the service and the specific realities it is focusing on, but rather at the memorial luncheon held afterwards. This is an appropriate moment for remembrances, messages or some form of tribute as family and friends gather. Q. Thinking about the recent war and others during the past decade, I know that our church does not have a policy like the Quakers of conscientious objection to military service and war, but how do we regard war and military service? A. I remember reading a book in the seminary library that cited many Fathers of both the Eastern and Western Churches on this subject. The most common theme was that war was basically wrong and should be avoided. Although this was the common thread at no time has the church condemned soldiery as a profession. There are, in fact, a number of soldier saints! The most famous of these are St. Demetrius, The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and St. Artemius. It is interesting to note that none of them were martyred, because they refused to fight. Conscientious objection does not appear anywhere. Their martyrdoms stemmed from the fact that they were Christians and would not offer pagan sacrifice or deny their service to the Lord Jesus. Following orders in military campaigns was part of their duty and Christian soldiers did not shrink back or shirk this obligation of military service. What differentiated the Christian soldier from his pagan counterpart was that they would not engage in rapery or wanton pillaging of the conquered. The onus of declaring war, be it just or unjust, falls on the ruler or ruling body and the soldier follows orders. For the Christian soldier, there must be some moral restraints as cited above, and so wanton murderous butchery of innocent civilians could not be condoned. Recapping what has been said, war is to be avoided, if possible, but the profession of soldiery can be a righteous one. In battle, one may cause casualties as a result of ones service, but Christian principles should be followed and innocent civilians should be protected as is possible. THIS COZY CORNER: AN ORTHODOX BOOK REVIEW by Fr. John W. Harvey Pastor, St Michael s, Woonsocket, RI As a child, Islam and its culture seemed like something quite mythical like Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and the lands of camels and sifting sands were so far away that they had no bearing on life as we knew it. The world is much smaller now and as a result of terrorist attacks and wars, the reality of Islam is very much with us. One sees women in Islamic garb in the local supermarket daily and, of course, events in the Moslem world impinge on us daily. One of President Bush s advisors is an Islamic scholar and so through his influence we have learned that Moslems are nice people just like all the rest of our neighbors. One would surmise then that Moslems, in general, unlike the fanatic minority, are ecumenical, laid-back and tolerant, much like quintessential liberal Main Line Protestants. Although some individual Moslems from Lebanon and Egypt have a traditional rapport with Christians and some honor St. George, the mindset and the worldview of the Moslem is radically different than ours and so the sound bytes and snippets of information that the media dish out about Islam are not only misleading, but may prove to be dangerous in the long run. Finally there is a book available which is accurate (to the point of political incorrectness) and does not sugar coat the historical content of Islam. The book in question is The Sword Of The Prophet by Serge Trifkovich and is published by Regina Orthodox Press. The author is well educated and has contributed to BBC, Voice of America and MSNBC among others and is a seasoned commentator on world affairs. Here we have a knowledgeable Orthodox Christian, who comes from a people who have known the boot of Islam. Mr. Trifkovich cuts through all the current propaganda and gives the unvarnished view of Mohammed, his teaching and the reality of continuous jihad. This is a fascinating expose and one can see clearly what the Moslems believe and how different it is from our Bible. Heaven, hell, marriage, the basis of law, the status of women, slavery are each covered in detail. You will be shocked at some of the basic Moslem suppositions about theology and life in general. I have had parishioners read this book with utter fascination and again shock. If one digests how Islam subjected Christianity in the Middle East and utterly destroyed it in North Africa, then its current spread in Europe, North and South America, with hundreds of mosques being erected with Saudi aid, will be an icy reminder of past Islamic ascendancy repeating itself. From the time of the Crusades, through Ottoman rule and Islamic expansion in India, Central Asia and Indonesia, jihad is traced. Again, it is like the scales falling from one s eyes, as you see Islam as you may never had thought of it before. With Islam literally in our face these days, it behooves us to know what it teaches and how it could endanger life as we know it. Everyone who picks up this book will be fascinated and you cannot help but learn a lot in short order. Because each chapter presents so much to digest, you may have to put it down momentarily to mull over its full bearing, but soon you will eagerly pick it up again. If you want to be thoroughly informed about Islam, its history, theology and impact on the world, then order your copy of The Sword Of The Prophet from Shirley Skocypec, Manager, St. Andrew s Bookstore, South Bound Brook, NJ, Phone: (732) THE SARMATIANS (continued from page 5) One of the most characteristic traits of the later Sarmatians living east of the Don River was the artificial deformation of skulls. This was probably accomplished by tying a soft cloth around the infant s head forcing the elongation of the cranium. The religious practices of the Sarmatians were consistent. The gods were personified. Those gods of nature were the sky, the earth, and fire. Gods pertaining to social concepts were the domestic hearth and war. The evidence of fire cult practices is exemplified by charcoal and ashes found in the burials. The Sarmatian empire did not last long, as the advancing Huns invaded their land. Part of the Sarmatian tribes migrated northeast to the Caucasus, where they settled. Soon after they reached the Hungarian Plains, they were invaded by several smaller Germanic tribes, and then dissolved by the newly coming Huns at the end of the 4 th century A.D. Condensed from: Sarmatians - UKRAINE CONCISE ENCYCLOPEDIA, Sarmatians Funk & Wagnal Encyclopedia; Warrior Women of the Eurasian Steppes Jean Davis, Internet; Women Warriors The Sarmatians Silkroad Foundation, Internet.

7 JUNE, 2003 UOL BULLETIN PAGE 7 ANNUAL UOL FUND DRIVE The Ukrainian Orthodox League would like to sincerely thank the following people for Ensuring the UOL s Future by contributing to The Annual Fund Drive: UOL Projects: Rev. and John Nakonachny, Rev. and Mrs. Paul Hrynyshyn, Anonymous, John and Cynthia Sirick, Michael and Patricia Beck, Helen Proch, Catherine Wasilk, John Lesky, Boris and Olga Pishko, Mrs. Olga Bukata, Hazel and Stella Klipnick, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Podgurski, Marilyn Druash, William J. Pastuszek, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Heretz, Valentine Kap, Alice Tychonia, Catherine Kochenash, Clifton Sr. UOL, St. Vladimir s Sr. UOL Parma, Helen and Geofrey Greenleaf, W. A. Pysh, Lester Dolinsky, Anna Kulak, Paul and Marlene Haluszczak (In Memory of Gnat and Pearl Haluszczak), Edward and Liliana Roviaro (In Honor of Wasyl and Nadia Wanshul on the occasion of their 54 th wedding anniversary), Natalie Jaresko and Ihor Figlus (In memory of Ann Petras), St George UOL, Minersville (In memory of Paul Hopko, Sr.), Helen Wasilk (In Honor of the dedication of the Sr. National Executive Board), Thomas and Alla Grzymski (In Memory of Grzymski and Meuch Family), William Best (In loving memory of wife Mary Best), Nellie Andrus (In memory of Peter Andrus). TOTAL DONATION TO UOL PROJECTS: $ LSSK Scholarship Fund: Rev. and Mrs. Paul Hrynyshyn, Anonymous, John and Cynthia Sirick, Michael and Patricia Beck, Helen Proch, Catherine Wasilk, John Lesky, Boris and Olga Pishko, Mrs. Olga Bukata, Hazel and Stella Klipnick, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Podgurski, Marilyn Druash, William J. Pastuszek, St. Vladimir s Sr. UOL Parma, Helen and Geofrey Greenleaf, Mrs. Julie Breen, Victor and Natalia Onufrey, Anonymous, Sts. Peter and Paul Sr. UOL-Youngstown, Donna Boyko, Anna Kulak, Paul and Marlene Haluszczak (In Memory of Catherine and Eugene Haluszczak), Natalie Jaresko and Ihor Figlus (In memory of Dmytro Wasylko), Mark and Anne Bohen (In memory of Helen K. Bohen), Helen Wasilk (In Honor of the dedication of the Sr. National Executive Board), Walter and Helen Zebel (In Honor of Kira Haluszczak on her High School Graduation), Thomas and Alla Grzymski (In Honor of Marriage of John Grzymski and Maryjo Norkus), William Best (In loving memory of wife Mary Best). TOTAL DONATIONS TO LSSK: $ MJSF Scholarship Fund: Rev. and Mrs. Paul Hrynyshyn, Anonymous, John and Cynthia Sirick, Michael and Patricia Beck, Helen Proch, Catherine Wasilk, John Lesky, Boris and Olga Pishko, Mrs. Olga Bukata, Hazel and Stella Klipnick, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Podgurski, Marilyn Druash, William J. Pastuszek, Catherine Kochenash, Clifton Sr. UOL, Sts. Peter and Paul Sr. UOL-Youngstown, Sonia Otto, Jane Yavorow, Anna Kulak (In memory of Walter Kulak), Rev. Daniel Rohan (In Memory of Walter and Mary Rohan), Paul and Marlene Haluszczak (In memory of Michael and Anna Kapeluck), Natalie Jaresko and Ihor Figlus (In memory of John Jaresko), Helen Wasilk (In Honor of the dedication of the Sr. National Executive Board), Thomas and Alla Grzymski (In Memory of Grzymski and Meuch Family), William Best (In loving memory of wife Mary Best), Nellie Andrus (In memory of Peter Andrus), Nellie Andrus (In memory of Peter Andrus). TOTAL DONATIONS TO MJSF: $ TOTAL 2003 ANNUAL FUND DRIVE (AS OF 5/5/03) $ Your support is vital and greatly appreciated as we strive to fulfill the League s Mission and continue to be Dedicated to Our Church and Devoted to Its Youth. UOL BULLETIN DEADLINE The deadline for each edition is the 5th of the prior month: September, October, November, January/February, March, April, and June. Change of Address? Please help the Coordinator of Bulk Mailing by submitting a correction if your address changes. However, please send your new address but also indicate what your old zip code was. UOL DEADLINES JUNE 15 DEADLINE: Chapter Election Reports due to Sr. UOL Corresponding Secretary DEADLINE: Delegate Forms due to Convention Committee DEADLINE: Convention Registration Payment 22 ALL SAINTS CAMP 25 TH ANNIVERSARY, Emlenton, PA Diocesan Church School Camp (ages 9-13): First Week Program June Two-Week Program June 22 July 5 Second-Week Program June 29-July 5 JULY 1 DEADLINE: Cultural Contest Entries TEENAGE CONFERENCE (ages 12-18): First Week Program July 9-July 13 Two-Week Program July 6-July 19 Second-Week Program July 13-July th Annual UOL Convention, Palos Park, IL July 28-Aug. 1 Mommy & Me/Daddy & Me (ages 4-8 and Parent) (Five-Day Program) PITT CREATES MENTORING AWARD IN HONOR OF DR. STEPHEN SIVULICH The University of Pittsburgh has established an award for mentors in honor of Dr. Stephen Sivulich and another prominent Pitt administrator. The Joyce Giangarlo-Stephen Sivulich Leadership and Mentoring Award was established to recognize a member of the university community who has gone above and beyond making time for a student that results in a positive difference in that student s life. Starting college can be an exciting but frightening adventure. Yet often a student will meet someone, either a professor, advisor, administrator or other college staff member who touches that student and reminds him why he is in college. That person then becomes a mentor to that student. This unique mentoring award in honor of Dr. Sivulich and Ms. Giangarlo was created to thank those who have been mentors to students. Pitt Vice Provost and Dean of Students Dr. Jack Daniels commented that acknowledging these key staffers that are contributing to the growth of a student is what the learning experience is really all about. Dr. Sivulich, reflecting on his lengthy career in higher education, stated that the most exciting aspect of my career has been working directly with college students. They possess the idealism, enthusiasm, and excitement that make every day enjoyable for the mentor. Mentoring is a vital component in the total development of students. Prior to his retirement from the University of Pittsburgh in April, 2002, Dr. Sivulich served as Student Affairs Specialist, Advisor to the Resident Student Association, and was a mentor to many students during his thirty-three year career in higher education. There were also hundreds of other students who benefited from his mentoring skills at Kent State University, Lehigh University, DeSales University, William Patterson University, LaRoche College, Chatham College and West Virginia University where he served in various positions including Director of Judicial Affairs, Dean of Students, Vice President for Student Affairs, or faculty member. (Submitted by Alice Sivulich with excepts from The Pitt News article by Christine Claus.) U.O.L. ARCHIVES National UOL Historical Material Needed Historical records and materials Records from past National UOL Officers Convention Yearbooks Forward to: UOL Archives (Attn: S. Sivulich), UOC of USA, P.O. Box 495, S. Bound Brook, NJ 08880

8 PAGE 8 UOL BULLETIN JUNE, 2003 UOL TRIBUTES A donation to the Tribute Fund is an acknowledgment of a Milestone, Memorial, Accomplishment, or is a Special Recognition of an individual or group. Your much appreciated contribution is used to support and further the Mission of the Ukrainian Orthodox League. All donations are published in the UOL BULLETIN. CONTRIBUTOR Ms. Catherine Wasilk LTC (R) Stephen P. and Ann M. Hallick, Jr. George N. Krywolap Marie Senyshyn Hieromonk Philip OCCASION In Loving Memory of Mrs. Catherine Wasilk of Butler, Pa. Memory Eternal! In Memory of parents, Protopresbytyr Stephen and Pani Hallick Holutiak and Mr. Stanley Bazycki In Blessed Memory of Father Eugene Krywolap. Memory Eternal! In Loving Memory of Walter Senyshyn and John Kuchirka In Memory of Pavlo Prokopenko, of Rochester, NY; a wonderful friend, Orthodox Christian and A patriotic Ukrainian who fell asleep in the Lord on April 8, May his memory be eternal! Welcome Children Join Us For Summer Fun! VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL Sponsored by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of USA Pittsburgh Deanery Hospitality Night(s) Polynesian Night Brunch Banquet and Ball Farewell Luncheon North Avenue Beach Chicago Botanical Garden Outdoor Film Festival PRE-CONVENTION ACTIVITIES: July Young Adult Days July 22 Golf Outing Location: Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Carnegie, PA Date: July 14th 18th, :00 AM Noon (daily) Director: Father Stefan Zenchuk Registration: $12.00 per child Theme: Feast Days of Virgin Mary Father Stefan will hold informal educational sessions for parents while the children attend day camp. Registration Forms will be available soon from your parish priest. 56TH UOL CONVENTION REGISTER NOW! Contact Persons: Noreen Neswick, Co-Chairman (708) Anatol Bilyk, Co-Chairman (847) Fr. Taras Naumenko, Spiritual Advisor (708) Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox G.C. Church c/o Dr. Stephen Sivulich 206 Christopher Circle Pittsburgh, PA NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 283 CARNEGIE, PA Hotel: Hyatt-Regency Hotel, Oak Brook, IL Ukrainian Orthodox League RATE : $ singles and doubles (630)