The Eparchy of New Westminster prays daily for Ukraine. We pray daily for an end to the brutal war brought across the borders by Russia some eleven years ago and intensified horrifically three years ago with the full-scale invasion. On Sunday the 23rd of February, parishes and communities throughout the Eparchy focused the prayer for peace. Aside from prayers during the Eucharistic Liturgies, many offered additional petitions, a panakhyda (requiem service) or even a program of focused prayer.
In several cities a public manifestation was held in the town square in which our parishioners and clergy prominently participated. In some cases, it was representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress that spearheaded the organization of the rallies, but they invited all Ukrainian entities to join, including Ukrainian church communities. In Vancouver, Bishop Michael opened the event at the Art Gallery with a message and prayer. Other clergy and faithful were in attendance.
Later in the day, some parishes hosted vigils to which the wider community was invited. At Holy Eucharist Cathedral Bishop Michael led a well-attended vigil that began at 17:40 as that would correspond directly with the time in Ukraine (3:40 AM) when the first reports were being made about missile strikes and fighting between invading Russian troops and Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The evening began with Bishop Michael accenting that the gathering was not a rally, or a challenge directed toward the aggressor. It was a prayer vigil in which we gather in the presence of our Lord and humbly ask His mercy in ended the war and restoring peace so the people of Ukraine could continue to live their lives in peace to work out their salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
The evening began with a Moleben’ to the Mother of God served by the Bishop and other clergy. Responses were led by the Cathedral choir under the direction of Halyna Bybyk. Within moments of the last Amen, the warning sirens that people in Ukraine hear daily, pierced the tranquility and people were urged to move to the basement “bomb shelter”.
In the basement, Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn facilitated a program that included several moments of meditation. Bishop Bohdan Manyshyn, the head of the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, spoke to the gathering, telling us about the situation of the war in Ukraine, but especially of how the Church brings hope and comfort to the soldiers on the front, and to the millions who are traumatized throughout the country. This was followed by a review of photos and images of the people in Ukraine accompanied by the violin music of Maryna Popova.
The people made their way back to the church and prayed a panakhyda for the countless victims of the war. Father Dr. Yuriy Sakvuk spoke at the conclusion. The night was not yet over. The youth offered to lead those who wanted to stay in a variety of songs – mainly from the Taizé community.
Let us continue to pray daily for an end to the war in Ukraine with a just and God-willed outcome!
