“I felt that Ukraine was slapped in the face. And I felt that slap. I felt that slap as a Ukrainian American,“ said St. Mary’s priest, Father Richard Jendras.
“When I watched the video, I was absolutely horrified,“ he said.
Jendras delivered mass to a congregation of around 40, switching between English and Ukrainian as he delivered a service emphasizing forgiveness ahead of Lent.
In the unprecedented public spat Friday, Trump raised his voice repeatedly as he said his Ukrainian counterpart should be more grateful for US aid in the war against the Russian invasion and pressed him to “make a deal” to end the war with Russia.
Zelensky triggered Trump and Vance’s ire by questioning whether Russia could be trusted to uphold a truce. Trump has said he trusts his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to “keep his word.”
“People have been turning up at my home, on my doorstep,“ said Jendras wearing black vestments and a Ukraine pin.
Oval Office 'circus'
The father of one of the church's servers joined up to fight. News that he had been killed in Bakhmut reached the US community a few months later, Jendras said.
Worshipper Maria Norton, 74, said “I’m spiritually uplifted that so many people are appalled” by what happened at the White House.
“He’s the ultimate diplomat, and they caused him to really raise his voice -- but I’m proud of President Zelensky for standing up for our people and not being bullied by someone like President Trump.”
The community will soon meet with the region's Congressman, Ryan Mackenzie, to discuss the situation, Jendras said. Mackenzie has a delicate reelection battle in 2026 in which every vote will matter.
“Total betrayal of Ukraine and contemptible shakedown of a man and country fighting for survival,“ he wrote on X.
“This can’t continue. The well-being of Ukraine has ramifications (for) Europe, and that has ramifications that will be felt here in America,“ said Jendras. “It absolutely will be felt in America.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( A slap': US Ukrainians stunned by Trump-Zelensky showdown )
Also on site :