Young Republicans to UOC: We know what you’re going through – we stand by you

Young Republicans of New York express support for the UOC. Photo: UOJ

On August 5, 2025, UOC attorney Robert Amsterdam met with the New York Young Republican Club, where he spoke about the persecution of the UOC by the Ukrainian authorities. Following the meeting, UOJ’s U.S. correspondent Ben Dixon gathered several comments.

Konstantinos Politos remarked that Amsterdam “did a great job talking about what's happening to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and highlighting the fact that the American government hasn't done anything about it.”

“Ukraine issue is so radioactive that they're allowing Christians to be persecuted because of that and because of the fear of talking about this issue. I think that these are the only people that's unfortunately doing this right now and we need to raise awareness and try to get everybody aware of this issue,” said Politos.

He urged UOC parishioners to remain strong: “You have a lot of people who know about what you're going through in the United States and that we're trying to do what we can to get you something,” Politos emphasized.

Orthodox Christian Becky Alivara said Amsterdam’s speech was a true revelation for her.

“I found tonight's event to be extremely enlightening, extremely edifying. Robert Amsterdam is brilliant and he's doing God's work. He really is,” she stressed.

According to her, it was through his efforts – and “through the work of Orthodox media that's still slowly spreading [the truth – Ed.]” – that she learned about the situation surrounding the UOC.

“But you don't hear much about it. The media is very successfully suppressing it, and I think that our club is going to have a big role in bringing it out into the mainstream as it deserves to be visited across the world,” Alivara said, urging believers of the UOC to stay strong.

“Stay strong. Glad I'm with you. I'll always be with you. And we're on your side,” she concluded.

Nick Raphael, treasurer of the New York Republican Party, also expressed support for UOC believers.

“We just want to say we support you guys and we want to make sure you're safe and we bring peace to that region. And we are here to stand by you,” he emphasized.

Another Republican politician said he himself is an Orthodox Christian and “it's a shame what's happening to the Orthodox Church over in Ukraine.”

“I'm an Orthodox Christian and I just want to see everything be peaceful and make sure Orthodox Christians and priests are safe in Ukraine,” he concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that according to Amsterdam, while the people protest, Zelensky continues persecuting the UOC.

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