Zelensky asked to confer the Hero title on the deceased son of UOC priest
The son of a UOC priest, military doctor Oleksandr Prokopchuk, died saving wounded soldiers. Photo: sarny.church.ua
A petition has been published on the website of the President on the posthumous awarding of the title of Hero of Ukraine to lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military doctor Oleksandr Prokopchuk. The AFU lieutenant is the son of Archpriest Mykola Prokopchuk, cleric of the Sarny eparchy of the UOC, rector of the church in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Berezhnytsia, Rivne region.
The petition was published by Mykola, the younger brother of the deceased. He said that Oleksandr was born in 1996, after school he graduated from the medical university and the military medical academy. From the beginning of the full-scale war, he served in the medical company of the 128th mountain assault brigade. Rescued the wounded in Irpin and Bucha, then in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Donetsk regions.
On February 11, 2023, in Bakhmut, Alexander took out seriously wounded soldiers from the battlefield and provided them with assistance. An anti-tank guided missile hit the medical service vehicle, leaving no one survived.
Mykola notes that his brother saved hundreds of lives and sincerely rejoiced at the salvation of each warrior.
“Oleksandr’s fellow servicemen emphasize that he was a real example of an officer, an extremely humane, attentive, loving son and husband, a true friend and devoted patriot of his country,” the petition says. “He faithfully served the people of Ukraine. He gave his soul and body for his wounded brothers. He fought and wanted to live in a free, independent, democratic Ukraine. Oleksandr Prokopchuk honorably fulfilled his duty to protect his state and remained faithful to the oath, to the Ukrainian people and Ukraine until his last breath.”
The author of the petition addressed the President with a request to confer on Oleksandr the title of Hero of Ukraine and to award his parents, who raised a true patriot, with the Order of the Golden Star.
According to the press service of the Sarny diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anatoly of Polissia and Sarny called on everyone to support the petition.
There are 69 days left until the end of the collection of signatures, but the initiative has already collected more than 11,000 votes.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Oleksandr Prokopchuk was buried behind the altar of the UOC church in the village of Berezhnytsia.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.