London: Third anniversary of war on Ukraine marked with prayers and rally

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski and Bishop Jim Curry at the interfaith prayer service

A moving Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace in Ukraine took place yesterday at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine. The cathedral was decked out in sunflowers - Ukraine's national flower. Many members of the congregation wore sunflower badges, while some were draped in the yellow and blue flag.

The packed service began with a procession of workers and volunteers from the Ukrainian Welcome Centre who lit three remembrance candles in front of the altar, while the cathedral choir sang the hymn Under Your Grace. Among the congregation was Shadow Foreign Secretary, Dame Priti Patel, Migration and Citizenship minister Seema Malhotra and the Mayor of Westminster Cllr Robert Rigby.

After the St Mary's Ukrainian school choir sang the hymn 'Peace is What We Want' Fr Taras Mykhalchuk, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul's Garrison Church in Lviv, in western Ukraine, gave a powerful testimony of his experiences in an area ravaged by the war. He said that since 2015, his church often conducts funerals, marriage ceremonies and baptisms of Ukrainian military personnel all in one morning. Fr Mykhalchuk thanked the British public for their support, adding: "We really feel your friendly shoulder."

The Vivo Quartet and String Trio Modus gave a beautiful performance of Sontse Nyzeko (The Sun is Setting).

Faith leaders: the Anglican Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally, Sr Masorti Rabbi Wittenberg, Greek Orthdox Archbishop Loullias, Coptic Archbishop Angaelos and Catholic Bishop Jim Curry then offered prayers for peace.

The Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi gave a short speech saying: "For three years, our people have been fighting for not just our land, but for our freedom and justice… He said Ukraine was "deeply grateful" to the UK, adding, "Your support gives us strength and hope."

The service ended with choirs leading singing of the spiritual anthem of Ukraine and God Save The King.

Speaking after the service Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, told ICN: "Today, like every day for the last three years I wake up hoping that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was just a bad dream. It was the same feeling this morning. However, today's interfaith prayer service for peace in Ukraine gave me hope because of the solidarity and prayers of our interfaith leaders.

"Ukrainians who have had to flee Ukraine because of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine who are now in the United Kingdom have so much to be grateful for. We have received overwhelming support from the previous and current Government, as well as the British people who over the last three years have opened their homes and their hearts to their sisters and brothers from Ukraine. This act of kindness will not be soon forgotten."

He said that the address by Ukraine's ambassador, His Excellency General Valerii Zaluzhnyi "left us inspired and encouraged in our own struggles with the consequences of this unprovoked war against Ukraine. He acknowledged the support of the British people of Ukraine."

Later in the evening, thousands gathered in Trafalgar Square for a rally to mark the anniversary. Dubbed 'Heartbroken but Unbroken, performers on the stage included Ukrainian pop-rock band Antytila and Pet Shop Boys.

In a pre-recorded speech, streamed on to a large screen, Paul Grod President of the Ukrainian World Congress the international NGO which represents Ukrainian communities in more than 60 countries, described "the horrors, the systemic kidnapping, the torture, and the abuse of Ukraine's most vulnerable, its children".

"No tyrant can be allowed to redraw borders by force, no ally should pressure Ukraine to surrender," he said.

"This is not a conflict where deals can be made, you cannot negotiate with someone who is seeking to destroy you. Now more than ever the world must stand united, Ukraine's fight is the world's fight.

"Today we face a troubling moment - for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion, the United States has begun to waver. This week the US refused to co-sponsor a United Nations resolution condemning Russia's war - this is unacceptable. Now more than ever the world must stand united, Ukraine's fight is the world's fight."

Mr Grod emphasised that Ukraine is a democracy and "every major opposition party" has agreed to postpone elections until the end of the war.

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin "has ruled for 25 years by jailing and murdering his opponents", adding: "He is not a leader he's a dictator."

Organisers included the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, Support Ukraine, the British-Ukrainian Aid charity, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and St Mary's Ukrainian School.

More pictures coming on the ICN Facebook page.

LINKS
Ukrainian Welcome Centre: www.ukrainianwelcomecentre.org/
Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family: https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/ukrainianchurch/