Solidarity and Prayer with Ukrainian Church Leaders
On the morning of Saturday, 26 February 2022, we sent out an email to ask our network to gather to hear and support Ukrainian church leaders. More than 40 individuals from the USA, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and France gathered. We hosted four Ukrainian church leaders: one Baptist pastor, Anatoliy Sapsay, and three Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests from L’viv: Father Roman Fihas, Father Yuriy Koslovsky, and Father Oleh Kindiy.
What is your situation?
Bomb sirens were audible during the call, and as the head of a large University dormitory, Father Yuriy had to bring the remainder of 500 students to bomb shelters. It had been the fourth time that day, and so students were “getting used” to the practice. However, every time the siren would go off, the combination of adrenaline and a feeling of dread were almost overwhelming.
Father Oleh and his family were in the car during the call, as they had to evacuate the neighbourhood they had been visiting. Father Oleh shared that thousands were arriving in L’viv every day, and schools, sports halls, and University buildings were being used to shelter refugees. His parish had been collecting items for refugees—mainly food and clothing. Every day they hear bomb sirens, although no bombs had hit L’viv itself yet. Every morning at 6:30am, Father Oleh serves the liturgy and ten times as many people are coming for confession. The church has a big basement, as it is one of the larger, official bomb shelters—it now serves as both a spiritual and a physical defence for the people. Father Oleh shared that amidst these trials, he can feel God’s presence, and that spiritual unity and truth are also present.
Father Roman’s brother and brother-in-law are currently fighting in the Ukrainian military, and his brother initially urged him to flee to Poland with his children. Father Roman sees it as positive that there is a renewed understanding of the conflict among the international community: this is not an inner Ukrainian conflict, but the source of the conflict is external. Father Roman expressed pride in being Ukrainian, and in seeing how many volunteers are ready to sacrifice their lives to protect their country. He has received a lot of emails of support outside of Ukraine, including offers to house him in a different country, but his family is staying to serve and pray for Ukraine.
Anatoliy’s family of six is hosting a family of three in their own home. He is witnessing churches widely opening their doors to host refugees in their homes and in church buildings. (For example, one church in the outskirts of L’viv is hosting 82 individuals!) Centralised mechanisms and structures for resettling refugees in Western Ukraine have been set up. Mobile connection, electricity, and water are thankfully still functioning, although issues had been expected. Anatoliy is a reservist in the Ukrainian Army and may be called up any day.
What gives you hope?
Christians in Ukraine are united, which is a big sign of hope. The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches (comprising 16 churches and religious organisations) showed their united support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, blessed Ukrainian soldiers, asked the international community to stop the Russian invasion, and wrote a letter to Putin. Even the Ukrainian Orthodox leaders, with a link to the Moscow Patriarchate, compared Putin’s actions to the murder of Cain.
Further:
Small and big victories of the Ukrainian Army;
Words of solidarity and prayer from all the world;
Knowing that God is in control, and feeling peace, despite what the situation looks like.
Finally, one church leader said, “What gives me hope, are meetings like this.”
How can we pray for you?
"Please don’t stop praying, because we need God’s protection and wisdom for how to react to this ever-changing situation.” (Anatoliy Sapsay)
Pray for a good understanding of the situation and for truth to be apparent
Pray for people to stay and help protect the democratic values of Ukraine
Pray for “Peaceful Skies”
How can we support you?
Advocate for Ukraine in your media outlets
Provide solid sources on Facebook
Spread information on criminal activities of the Russian Federation’s army
Join in humanitarian giving
Help individual people
Put pressure on governments to place a “no fly zone” over Ukraine, since the sirens are also meant to intimidate the Ukrainian people
Keep in touch. The good word of support means everything.
Read article of the Ukrainian Catholic University, “Is it just the war of Ukrainians or also mine? – How can you help Ukraine now?”
Information about Ukraine
Recent News of Ukrainian Journalists and Bloggers
Information on Ukrainian National Identity and Ukrainian-Russian Conflict:
Dominic Sandbrook, “Kyiv will rise again. Putin can bomb its cities — but Ukraine will endure”
Analysis of political science specialist, Ivan Krastev
List of how you can support Ukraine best and information in several languages
Comments