In the dimly lit St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Portland, the Easter celebrations commenced at 11 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 19.
Soft, melodic chanting filled the air as Father Volodymyr Yavorskyi, the church’s 30-year-old priest, led the solemn services, his back turned to the worshippers and his head bowed in reverence.
Father Yavorskyi emphasized the significance of Easter, or Pascha as it is known among Orthodox Christians, declaring it the most important and joyous holiday for Ukrainians and Orthodox Christians worldwide.
“For Orthodox, the biggest and the most popular holiday, the most happy and most joyful and unique, is Easter,” he reflected.
As the parishioners gathered to observe the sacred ceremony, they found themselves amidst a backdrop of ongoing turmoil: the persistent war between Russia and Ukraine has cast a long shadow over their celebrations for the past three years.
A large portion of the congregation consists of recent arrivals from Ukraine, while others have family and friends directly impacted by the conflict.
Additionally, a looming concern has arisen among some Ukrainian refugees regarding the current immigration policies of the United States, particularly the recent clampdowns in the Trump administration that may jeopardize their legal status.
The traditional paschal worship service, held around midnight, is rich in symbolism and ritual, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The proceedings begin solemnly, resembling a funeral, where clergy carry a tapestry of Jesus around the church.
After this somber procession, all church members venture outside to walk around the building three times, culminating in the proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection.
With the atmosphere brightening, a special liturgy is held where the lights illuminate the church, and the choir enchants the congregation with complex Byzantine chanting, performed in eight different modes.
Father Yavorskyi noted, “We worship the same as it’s done in Ukraine. When people come to church, they feel at home.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, attendance at the church has surged, doubling the congregation size.
Yavorskyi estimated that around 250,000 Ukrainians have been granted temporary stay in the United States due to the war, including thousands residing in Oregon.
This increase has made managing Sunday services a logistical challenge, highlighted during the crowded Palm Sunday service where many attendees had to wait outside on the stairs.
To accommodate the influx for Pascha, the church organized two separate services to enable more worshippers to participate.
However, the priest expressed concerns about the future, stating that discussions about expanding church facilities are complicated by the uncertainty of how long many parishioners will remain in Portland.
“We can’t firmly discuss plans for expanding the church building; it’s unclear how many parishioners will still be in Portland in the near future,” Yavorskyi said.
The uncertainty surrounding immigration status exacerbates the challenges faced by these families, many of whom entered the U.S. through the Uniting for Ukraine program.
This initiative, which provides humanitarian parole status for immigrants for up to two years, has been paused indefinitely under the Trump administration, stoking fears among recent arrivals.
Liam Patton, an attorney at SOAR Immigration Legal Services in Portland, assists Ukrainian clients and expressed concern over the anxiety surrounding the expiration of their humanitarian status.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty and panic about this,” Patton remarked.
He conveyed that families are faced with difficult decisions—whether to remain in the U.S., return to Ukraine, or seek refuge in another country.
Yavorskyi mirrored these sentiments, noting the instability felt within the community, particularly after recent incidents where immigrants with permanent residency faced detention.
St. John the Baptist Church has evolved into a central hub for Ukrainians in the Portland area, providing support and information about local living and immigration processes.
Mykhailo Tur, the choir director who arrived in the U.S. in 2024 through the Uniting for Ukraine program, reflected on the uncertain landscape he and his compatriots face.
Originally from Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tur expressed a desire to stay in the U.S., viewing a return to his homeland as a last resort.
Currently unsure about his future, he lamented that some of his friends have already departed, unwilling to wait any longer for clarity on their statuses.
“In the beginning, I really didn’t expect that I would have to go away again to start my life from scratch one more time,” Tur said.
Navigating the complex emotions of his congregation has proven challenging for Yavorskyi.
With each member affected by the war in varying degrees, he notes that disagreements about military drafts and the difficult decisions facing immigrants emerge in discussions.
Despite the challenges, he strives to keep a neutral ground during sermons, respecting the diverse opinions within his parish.
Yavorskyi acknowledged the emotional toll that the prolonged conflict has taken on people.
“After two years, I would say people start to get tired,” he observed.
“They understand that it’s not right to be tired. They don’t have the right to be tired, because there are soldiers dying every day for them. But the tiredness comes. It comes and we cannot do anything.”
Nevertheless, the atmosphere within the church remained jubilant during Pascha celebrations.
Once the liturgy concluded, attendees made their way to the church basement, where an array of elaborately decorated food baskets awaited blessing.
In Ukraine, it is traditional for the priest to bless baskets of non-Lenten food during Easter, filled with baked goods and colorful eggs, many adorned with beautiful tapestries.
As Father Yavorskyi splashed holy water over the baskets and congregation, he joyfully proclaimed, “Христос воскрес (Khrystos voskres)! Christ is risen!”
In response, congregants reacted with enthusiastic hymns sung in unison.
For Tur, this particular Pascha held deep significance.
Having not attended church in years prior, he described the experience of reconnecting with his roots and fellow Ukrainians as deeply moving.
With emotions stirring, he recalled previous Pascha celebrations, stating, “It was like I was resurrected.”
image source from：https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/26/portland-ukrainians-celebrate-easter/
