London: Prayers for peace on anniversary of war on Ukraine

Bishop Nowakowski leads prayers at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile

A moving interfaith prayer service took place at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile in London yesterday, to mark the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. Later in the evening, a rally in Trafalgar Square attended by thousands, also began with prayers.

At the Cathedral, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in London, told the congregation that the service was being held without electricity, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who have had to endure sub-zero temperatures all winter without heating, lighting or water, due to Russia's destruction of the country's energy infrastructure.

The service began with two minutes silence to remember all who have lost their lives in Ukraine and all innocent victims of war - followed by the spiritual anthem of Ukraine led by the Cathedral choir.

Religious leaders from several faith traditions, then offered prayers focussing on different aspects of the war. Westminster Auxiliary Bishop James Curry, began with this prayer: "God of infinite Hope, We trust in your dream and promise of peace for all your children. Give a new hope to those who at this time face danger in the defence of justice. We hold before you the families who have lost their homeland their places of employment. Console and deliver them from further suffering. Support those who are anxious for loved ones. Remove from the hearts of all people the evil that keeps alive hrtei spirit of war. And in your goodness restored just and lasting peace among us. Lord in your mercy - Hear our prayers."

Rabbi Dr Helen Freeman of the West London Synagogue, followed with a heartfelt prayer for the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped by Russian forces - taken from their homes and families, their native language and communities - and forced to live in an alien land.

The Anglican Bishop of Worcester, Hugh Nelson gave thanks for "those who hear Lord Jesus' call to welcome the stranger, especially those who have opened their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the horror of war, giving food, shelter, and comfort to the bereaved, the anxious and the unsettled."

He prayed: "Let their compassion be accompanied by faith to resist evil, hope for reconciliation, and perfect love that trusts without fear. May hospitality nurture friendship, and a renewed commitment to peace across the nations, for the common good and the glory of your name."

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg of the New North London Synagogue prayed: "God who loves like us to live with justice, mercy, and peace, aim this prayer at the hard hearts of those who use their power to kill and wound and dispossess, to make cities and landscapes desolate, to drive families from their homes and divide millions from those they love.

"May this prayer detonate in their hearts. Make their hearts then be exposed, raw and defenceless, to the suffering of those to whom they have brought cold, loneliness, exile, and grief. May their eyes see and their minds comprehend the devastation they have wrought and the destruction they have sown, like landmines across the future, by unjust, pointless, merciless war."

Greek Orthodox Archbishop Nikitas prayed for courage for chaplains and clergy in the zones of conflict. Protopresbyter Bohdan Matwijczuk of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Great Britain lamented the "centuries of Russian oppression", and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who have laid down their lives defending Ukraine.

General Secretary of Churches Together in England, Bishop Mike Royal, said: "Today, we stand in solidarity, we feel the pain of the people of Ukraine. We pray for the diaspora here in the United Kingdom.

"We pray for those who are traumatised and those who have suffered bereavement. We pray for the children, some of whom are here with us today. We pray for a just and lasting peace. Let justice flow like rivers and righteousness as an ever-flowing stream."

The Rt Rev Paul Mason, Catholic Bishop of the Forces, and the Rt Rev David Waller, Bishop Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, Rt Rev David Urquhart KCMG Bishop to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, were also in attendance. Among many civic representatives was Lord Alton and the Lord Mayor of Westminster Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg.

The service included some beautiful musical contributions from the St Mary's Ukrainian Children's Choir, the Cathedral Quartet VIVO, String Quartet MODUS, and the Songs for Ukraine Choir.

Speaking at the end of the service Bishop Nowakowski said the community remains hopeful that this unjust war will soon come to an end and that a peace founded on justice will prevail. He said: "We are extremely grateful for the overwhelming support for Ukrainian citizens who have fled harm's way and have arrived over the past four years to find welcome and shelter here in the United Kingdom. We also want to express our gratitude to the Government and the people of the UK for standing in true solidarity with the people of Ukraine."

Alongside encouraging prayers for peace and justice, Bishop Kenneth posed a challenge for Christians in responding to the war and the frustrations in reaching a resolution, saying: "How can we expect our world leaders to begin to talk about peace and bring about peace, if they have not come from homes where peace is important? That they have not come from neighbourhoods where peace, kindness and gentleness is the normal attitude?

"How do we elect leaders who have never experienced what kindness, gentleness and peace is, in their homes, in their neighbourhoods, in our towns and cities?

"So as Christians, we need to ensure that we have kindness, gentleness and respect in our own home, in our neighbourhood, where we work, where we play, where we recreate, where we eat, to those who serve us. We don't need to just do the big things. Doing those little things will contribute to peace in the world in a very tangible way."

Speaking with ICN after the Mass, Bishop Nowakowski appealed for everyone to continue to pray for peace, especially "when Ukraine falls off the news cycle - keep informed and tell your family and friends that Ukraine still needs support and help. Its not just a piece of territory that Ukrainians are being asked to give up, it's also family and friends."

Later on Tuesday evening, Bishop Nowakowski was one of many clergy who led opening prayers from a stage in Trafalgar Square for a huge rally attended by many thousands.

Watch a video of the prayer service on the Ukrainian Cathedral's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UkrainianCatholicCathedralOfTheHolyFamily/