YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - At Saint's Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church there was standing room only. A few hundred people packed the church and gathered to pray for the people in Ukraine.

 

"Although I don't have direct family in Ukraine, I think it's important to support the people there and their fight for freedom and protecting the homeland," said Jeffrey Senediak.

 

Senediak added, "It's vitally important to show your support and give the people there strength in knowing that people around the world are supporting their cause.

 

They have watched in horror as Russia invaded Ukraine, bombs drop and people killed defending their homeland as they struggle to hold on to their country and freedom. 

 

"I'm here in support of my family who is in Ukraine. I have family in Kyiv and other places. I know some of them are probably fighting right now. I'm praying for President Zelenskyy, and the Cabinet, and all Ukrainians who are suffering right now in this horrible affliction brought upon them said," Donna Bosela.

 

Father Ivan Tchopko Pastor of Saint's Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church asked people at the prayer vigil and at home to pray for brothers, sisters, parents, family, and friends suffering in an  war that Russia is promoting in taking over Kyiv. 

 

"We are praying for peace and freedom. Prayer can reach miles and miles. We ask each one of you to pray for our people in Ukraine that are suffering, and struggling with persecution of Ukrainians by Russia," said Pastor Tchopko. 

 

Church members and seminarians here have relatives there. As they pray for their loved ones safety and everyone in Ukraine suffering or struggling, they also pray for peace. 

 

"Freedom. People are defending with their own hands because they don't have support, from other nations, only weapons, they need bigger support," added Tchopko.

 

The European Union expects there  will be millions of refugees. Walter Duzzny, Sr. also has relatives in the Ukraine. 

 

"We know if this continues to happen in the Ukraine this madman if you will, will continue through the Slovak nations, Slavic nations, on his attempt to conquer that part of the world," said Walter Duzzny, Sr.

 

"It's a war right now, but it's going to turn into a humanitarian crisis and we are going to have to garner the support of the American public. We need to pull our resources and say what are we going to do about these refugees and  how are we going to help them now, " emphasized Duzzny.