Services at two cathedrals mark anniversary of war in Ukraine

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/02/2023 (998 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Praying that God would “grant an end to the terrible war in Ukraine,” about 200 worshippers joined together Saturday morning at St. Mary the Protectress Orthodox Cathedral to seek peace for that country.

About a dozen officiants in red, white and gold robes stood in front of the Iconostas, the screen that separates the altar area from the rest of the church, as they led the congregation in a special service for Ukraine that was chanted and sung in Ukrainian.

“May a true peace be restored to the people and may the Ukrainian nation be blessed with the fulfilment of her aspirations to live in harmony and give glory to You at all times,” said a printed prayer in bulletin handed out to worshipers.

It went on to add the hope that faith in Ukraine would be renewed “in the hearts and souls of Your people at this very dark hour of death and destruction.”

Some worshippers brought signs emblazoned with sunflowers, a symbol of resistance in Ukraine, and the words “stand with Ukraine.”

Following the service, a pastoral message was read to the congregation calling on the faithful to pray, fast and act by making donations to help those impacted by the war.

Mathew Nicholson, who is Anglican, attended the service because he felt a “religious and moral requirement to stand up” for Ukraine.

Wearing a sweatshirt with an image of Mary, the mother of Jesus, holding a missile launcher on the back, he said he didn’t believe Russia had any right to claim Ukraine as part of its empire, despite what its religious and political leaders said.

Sonia Udod, who is Ukrainian Orthodox, came because Russia has launched a “genocidal war” against Ukraine.

“I came to stand for justice for Ukraine,” she said. Praying with others at the service helped her to be “steadfast” in her support for that country.

“I continue to pray and do my part to support Ukraine,” she said.

After the service, the congregation made a cold 20-minute prayer walk to join hundreds of others at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral for an interfaith service for peace in Ukraine.

In his comments at the interfaith service, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said he spoke not only as mayor but “as a brother in the Lord” as he thanked representatives of other Christian denominations for coming to the service, and for assisting people in Ukraine and Ukrainians who have fled that country to come to the province.

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