Christians from different denominations converged on the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral in London, on Monday, April 11, to hold an historic ‘Ecumenical Hour of Prayer for Ukraine’. Worshippers joined the leaders of Christian denominations in prayer.
Ukrainian Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, flanked by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of London, Anba Angaelos, of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and other church leaders, led the ‘Prayer for Ukraine’.
The congregation of around 100 at the Mayfair cathedral added their voices to the words: “Hear the supplication of our afflicted hearts for the land and the people of Ukraine, as they confront foreign aggression and invasion.
Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, addressing congregants. (Photo Credit: Marcin Mazur)
“Open the eyes of those who have been overtaken by a spirit of deception and violence, that they be horrified by their works. Grant victory over the powers of evil that have risen and bless Ukraine with your gifts of liberty, peace, tranquillity, and good fortune.”
After the chants, prayers were then offered by the various church leaders – with messages tinged with sadness and hope. After the service, Bishop Nowakowski said: “The Hour of Prayer for Ukraine in our Cathedral was especially historic.
“We had so many Christian leaders present praying together for peace in Ukraine. We prayed for those who have lost so much, those defending Ukraine and those injured and harmed. And, for the people of UK who are opening up their hearts to the people of Ukraine. We cannot underestimate the power of prayer as our Lord Jesus Christ told us that ‘Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there with you.’”
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: “I am very moved by this harmony of voices from the different Christian treasure houses. As we in the Catholic tradition enter the Holy Week, we look at Jesus as a faithful witness, given powerfully in his death on the cross – a victory over evil and it comes in his name.”
Archbishop of London for the Coptic Orthodox Church Anba Angaelos: “It was very moving to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Ukraine.” (Photo Credit: Marcin Mazur)
Archbishop of London for the Coptic Orthodox Church Angaelos said: “It was very moving to stand with Bishop Kenneth and express our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Ukraine, knowing the incredible pain they are going through and the horrors of war as we are entering Holy Week.”
Anglican Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally said: “Today I joined my fellow church leaders for what was a moving demonstration of solidarity for the people of Ukraine, in the hope of a peaceful solution to this horrendous situation.
Anglican Bishop of London Sarah Mullally: “We must support those fleeing Ukraine and those who decide to remain.” (Photo Credit: Tony Leliw)
“We must all – whether Christian, a follower of another faith or none – do all we can to support both those fleeing from war and those who remain in Ukraine. We must pray, and we must offer practical support, as churches across the Diocese of London and the Church of England more widely are doing.”
President of the Ascension Trust in Great Britain, Reverend Les Isaac, said: “As church leaders we want to pray together and show our solidarity across the denominations with the people of Ukraine.”
President of the Ascension Trust in Great Britain, Reverend Les Isaac: “As church leaders we want to pray together and show our solidarity across the denominations with the people of Ukraine.” (Photo Credit: Tony Leliw)
This was a view echoed by the Archdeacon of London and Church of England, Luke Miller, who said: “It is so good that the leaders of London’s Christians are coming together to pray.”
Gillian Dare, a lay person on the Freedom of Religion and Belief Forum, and acting chair of Churches Together in Westminster, said: “It is wonderful to see the unanimity of all the different church groups. We work with people who are victims of violence in their country on their mental health and trauma.”
Monsignor Keith Newton, whose church is in Soho, stressed the importance of prayer for the people of Ukraine. Father Dominic Robinson, parish priest for the Jesuit Church of The Immaculate Conception Farm Street, said it was wonderful to bring so many Christian communities in London together as we move to Easter. “We have to be in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who we all realise need our prayers, moral support, and whatever we can get together.”
Colette Joyce, the Westminster Justice and Peace Co-ordinator, said: “It is important to pray for peace and show solidarity with the people in Ukraine. We are appalled by the aggression and war taking place in Ukraine and we want to do everything we can to see it end, and Russia withdraw and bring peace to the country.
Others present were: Revd George Watt – Moderator of the Thames North Synod of the United Reformed Church; Revd Phil Barnard – Team Leader London Baptist Association; and Lieut-Col David Shakespeare – Divisional Commander, North London Salvation Army.
This year Easter is being celebrated in the Western World on Easter Sunday, April 17, while the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and broader Christian Orthodox world will celebrate on Sunday, April 24.
