With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, and under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, President of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (UOC of the USA), the Church once again stood as a global witness to the necessity of religious liberty by participating in the Fifth Annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Washington, D.C. Accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas, Archbishop Daniel represented the UOC of the USA at this significant gathering, engaging with religious and civic leaders from around the world to advocate for the protection of faith communities suffering persecution.

Religious freedom is not merely an abstract legal concept - it is the foundation of human dignity and a prerequisite for a just and moral society. For the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, the defense of religious liberty is deeply personal, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Russian Federation's unprovoked aggression has led to immense suffering, including the persecution of religious communities, the destruction of sacred sites, and the silencing of faith-based voices advocating for peace and justice.

Archbishop Daniel, emphasized this reality: "Religious freedom is not just a privilege but a God-given right. When this right is violated - whether in Ukraine, Syria, China, or anywhere in the world - it is not only an attack on faith but on human dignity itself. The Church must always stand as a guardian of this sacred right."

The IRF Summit provided an opportunity for religious and political leaders to reaffirm their commitment to protecting faith communities worldwide. U.S. Vice President JD Vance addressed the gathering, stating:

"Our administration believes that we must stand for religious freedom, not just as a legal principle, as important as that is, but as a lived reality both within our own borders and especially outside of them."

This statement reaffirmed the United States' role as a defender of religious liberty and highlighted the necessity of global cooperation to confront religious oppression.

Archbishop Daniel and Fr. Vasyl Pasakas engaged in meaningful dialogue with various religious leaders, including His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Archbishop Dionysius John Kawak. These interactions strengthened bonds of solidarity among Christian communities facing challenges in different regions of the world.

One of the most powerful moments of the summit was the testimony of Oleksandra Matviichuk, Nobel Laureate and Chairwoman of the Center for Civil Liberties, who exposed the deceptive narratives pushed by Russia:

"Russia seeks to portray itself as a modern place... but Russian propaganda skillfully twists the truth... People abroad have lost their ability to distinguish between the lie and the truth."

Her words resonated deeply, especially as Russian forces continue to violate fundamental human rights, including religious freedom, in occupied territories.

Alongside Archbishop Daniel, members of the Ukrainian Parliament and religious leaders from various Christian communities in Ukraine attended the summit, advocating for greater international intervention to prevent further violations against Ukraine’s faithful.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA has long recognized the critical role that faith plays in social and moral life. Archbishop Daniel spoke about the deep spiritual foundations that guide believers in upholding justice:

"Religion is the soul of a nation. When a society protects the freedom of faith, it upholds the values of truth, compassion, and moral responsibility. However, when religious freedom is threatened, it is a warning sign that all human rights are in jeopardy."

He further reflected on the role of the UOC of the USA in supporting Ukraine’s struggle for freedom: "We, as Ukrainian Orthodox Christians in the diaspora, have a sacred duty to be the voice for those who are oppressed, to provide humanitarian aid to those in need, and to offer our unceasing prayers for peace and justice in Ukraine."

The message of the IRF Summit was clear - defending religious freedom requires global cooperation, truth-telling, and bold advocacy. Faith leaders, policymakers, and human rights defenders must continue to stand together to challenge authoritarian tactics that seek to suppress religious communities.

As Archbishop Daniel concluded: "Our faith calls us to stand for righteousness. Defending religious liberty is not simply an obligation of law; it is an obligation of conscience. When we defend the rights of the faithful, we defend the very essence of human dignity."

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA remains steadfast in its commitment to this sacred mission, praying for a future where every person can freely live out their faith without fear of persecution. Through continued advocacy and international cooperation, the voices of the oppressed will not be silenced, and the light of faith will continue to shine brightly in the darkness.