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His Grace Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Most Rev. Bishop Robert Moskal, bishop-emeritus of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Parma, OH, opened the official program of the parade with a prayer for the peace, political, economic and ecclesiastical stability of Ukraine.

Among numerous State and Federal government leaders present at the parade and who offered their greetings to the Ukrainian-Americal community of Parma and Greater Cleveland, OH community were Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Parma City Mayor Timothy DeGeeter and others.

Bishop Bohdan Danylo of Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Parma, OH concluded the official program of the parade with a prayerful invitation extended to Zorya Ensemble to sing a religious song-prayer “Bozhe Velykyj Edynyj!”

It was at the request of the clergy and the Parish Board of Administration of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral that this particular section of State Road in Parma was designated “Ukrainian Village.”  Since that designation, the city has hung multi-colored banners with Ukrainian designs, local businesses have decorated entire sides of their buildings with scenes of historical buildings in Ukraine and, this year, the City of Parma hung dozens of American and Ukrainian flags from the utility poles.

This is the 7th year that the Ukrainian Village parade has been held.  It was most impressive and one of a kind outside Ukraine that was honoring the Silver Jubilee of a young nation with the history that dates back centuries.