United in prayer for peace in Ukraine

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This article was published 25/01/2022 (1323 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Manitoba bishop’s petition for peace will be broadcast directly to Ukraine, as he joins Catholics around the world to pray Wednesday amid growing tensions in Eastern Europe.

Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak will preside over the 10 a.m. Ukrainian-language service at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral, broadcast internationally as part of the Jan. 26 world day of prayer for peace proclaimed by Pope Francis.

“It’s a very big vote of support to our people in Ukraine and to us in Canada,” said Huculak, who joined other Canadian bishops in issuing a statement supporting the Ukrainian church and asking for a peaceful solution to the looming military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia has moved about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine in recent weeks.

The Ukrainian-language cathedral service one of a dozen livestreamed prayer services from Manitoba parishes, beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing hourly, with the final service at the McGregor Street cathedral at 9:15 p.m.

The international broadcast from Ukraine begins at 1 a.m. (CST).

Rev. Mark Gnutel will lead two public services, singing the liturgy at 11 a.m. at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic parish, and then leading prayers at 1 p.m. at St. Michael’s in Transcona.

“We’ll do what we can to make it a prayerful event, calling for peace and the changing of hearts,” Gnutel said of his services held in mostly in English.

The day-long prayer vigil touches the heart of Ukrainian-born Rev. Mykhaylo Khomitskyy, concerned for family and friends in Ukraine, but also convinced Canadian support can be felt by the mother church in Ukraine, led by Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

“He says prayer is more powerful than any human weapon,” said Khomitskyy, priest at St. Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic parish in St. James.

Khomitskyy and his school-aged children will participate at 8 p.m. with a service held in English and Ukrainian.

Wednesday’s prayers follow the annual week of prayer for Christian unity, celebrated by Christians around the world. On this day, Christians will be united in their call for peace in Ukraine and other global hot spots, said Khomitskyy.

“The whole Catholic universal church will pray for peace in the Ukraine and the world,” he said. “It’s a huge support. The whole assembly is united in prayer.”

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